The late Sarkesian (political science, Loyola U. Chicago), Williams, and Cimbala examine the US national security establishment, the National Security Council and the Department of Defense, and the formal policy process. They consider the impact of four power clusters: the policy triad (the secretary of state, the secretary of defense, and the national security advisor), the director of national intelligence and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the president's advisers, and the secretary of Homeland Security. They examine the international security context, factors that affect US policy, and the presidential mandate; how the US responds to conflict; nuclear weapons and arms control; the impact of the US political system; the military and intelligence establishments; the role of Congress, the public, the media, political parties, and interest groups; civil-military relations; long-range issues of national security; and making the system work. This edition has been revised and updated to reflect the challenges faced by the Obama administration, such as the budget-constrained environment, the wider range of national security issues, and the evolving nature of counterinsurgency doctrine and practice. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)