From the NYT:
President Obama announced on Wednesday afternoon that Susan E. Rice, the
American ambassador to the United Nations, would replace Tom Donilon,
who is resigning, as national security adviser in a major shakeup of his
foreign-policy inner circle.
The appointment, which Mr. Obama made in a Rose Garden ceremony, puts
Ms. Rice, 48, an outspoken diplomat and a close political ally, at the
heart of the administration’s foreign-policy apparatus.
It is also a defiant gesture to Republicans who harshly criticized Ms.
Rice for presenting an erroneous account of the deadly attacks on the
American mission in Benghazi, Libya. The post of national security
adviser, while powerful, does not require Senate confirmation.
Mr. Obama also named Samantha Power, a National Security Council
official, as Ms. Rice’s replacement at the United Nations. Ms. Power,
who has written extensively about genocide, is closely allied with Ms.
Rice on human rights issues.
. . . a senior official in the Executive Office of the President who serves as the chief advisor, stationed in the White House, to the President of the United States on national security issues. This person also participates in the meetings of the National Security Council. The National Security Advisor's office is located in the West Wing of the White House.
He or she is supported by the National Security Council staff that
produces research, briefings, and intelligence for the APNSA to review
and present either to the National Security Council or directly to the
President.
History of the
National Security Council.
