US Intelligence and National Security (saylor.org)

Please note: this legacy course does not offer a certificate and may contain broken links and outdated information. Although archived, it is open for learning without registration or enrollment.

The study of United States intelligence and national security operations is an analysis of how the various branches of government work together and, as a check upon each other, how they work to protect and promote American interests at home and abroad. The purpose of this course is to provide you with an overview of national security policy analysis and the United States intelligence community. As you progress through this course, you will learn about strategic thought and strategy formulation, develop the ability to assess national security issues and threats, and cultivate an understanding of the political and military institutions involved in the formulation and execution of national security policy through diplomacy, intelligence operations, and military force.

This course will examine problems and issues regarding United States national security policy. A large section of the course will deal with the major actors and institutions involved in making and creating national security policy and the intelligence community. National security is the most critical role of your government, without which, all other policies could not be created. You will begin this course with an overview of national security interests in unit 1. In units 2 – 4, you will learn about the roles and powers possessed by each actor in the United States national security process, including responsibilities of the president, the executive branch, Congress, the military, and intelligence agencies. In unit 5, you will review the policymaking process and will consider policy analysis. In units 6 – 9, you will study specific types of national security issues and strategies that the government has used to solve these problems. Some problems include the threat of nuclear, chemical, and biological warfare; the impact of regional, sectarian, and tribal conflicts on national security interests; the threat of terrorism; and the impact of economic strife and scarce resources.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

- describe and identify nationalsecurity interests that have been applied during various periods of US history;

- identify key agencies within the US Intelligence community and their respective missions;

- describe the roles and powers of various actors and organizations in the policymaking and implementation process within the field of US national security;

- analyze the various political, social, economic, military, legal, and ethical goals and values that form the basis of policymaking decisions;

- apply various decision frameworks used by policymakers and leaders in developing and executing national security policies; and

- explain the context, evolution, risks, and linkages of national security issues, alternatives, and solutions.