Combating Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

coordination authority to bring about an effective government-wide response to theproliferation threat. The Commission recommends that a sub-cabinet entity be created thatparallels the cabinet-level policy management structure established by the NationalSecurity Act of 1947. The Commission's proposal responds to a specific set ofcircumstances that have adversely affected the responsiveness of the Federal governmentover several administrations to the proliferation threat—the difficulty in capturing sufficientPresidential involvement, the growing urgency of the proliferation threat, and theincreasing complexity for policy and programs of the proliferation threat. Thesecircumstances motivated the Commission to find a new solution to an urgent problem.We endorse the Commission's proposed solution that can be realized through anExecutive Order under the existing authority of the National Security Act. Everyadministration should be free to organize as it sees fit, especially in response to the mortaldanger posed by proliferation. For this reason we view the proposed solution as one thatthis and succeeding administrations should consider seriously. More important than theparticular details of the proposed solution are the principles on which it rests. Theseinclude the need for presidential leadership in establishing priorities, accountability amongcabinet officers, the identification of NSC-level responsibility, the alignment ofdepartmental organization with presidential priorities, and the integration of thegovernment-wide effort to respond to the proliferation threat. We agree with theCommission's observation that “Presidential leadership is essential in combatingproliferation. No organization structure can overcome a lack of commitment at the top.”The apparatus created a half century ago in the National Security Act has proven to be anextraordinarily effective, flexible, and robust instrument for advancing American securityinterest when committed leadership “at the top” is present.174