<P> A National Security Council (NSC) is usually an executive branch governmental body responsible for coordinating policy on national security issues and advising chief executives on matters related to national security . An NSC is often headed by a national security advisor and staffed with senior - level officials from military, diplomatic, intelligence, law enforcement and other governmental bodies . The functions and responsibilities of an NSC at the strategic state level are different from those of the United Nations Security Council, which is more of a diplomatic forum . </P> <P> Occasionally a nation will be ruled by a similarly named body, such as "the National Security Committee" or "Council for National Security". These bodies are often a result of the establishment or preservation of a military dictatorship (or some other national crisis), do not always have statutory approval, and are usually intended to have transitory or provisional powers . See also: coup d'état . </P>

What is the purpose of the national security council