yesterday I saw a tv-program about the history of the different administrations since Truman. Something I didn't understood was the relation between the National Security Council (now Rize as chief) and the Ministry of State (foreign affaires, now with Powel as chief). They seem to do the same things. What is the difference between both organisations?
the National Security Advisor is personal staff to the President. That is he (now she) is an advisor that is not approved by the Congress. The NSA is head of a small staff (50-100 policy people) that are advisors to the president on international affairs. The Advisor coordinates meetings and prepares briefings and speeches for the President. The Secretary of State is head of the State Department and approved by Congress (which means he can be called to testify to Congress, the NSA can't). He is also an advisor to the President, but not responsible only to him. He is also accountable to the Congress and responsible for running the state department (10,000s of employees). He is responsible for U.S. relations with other states. The National Security Council is established at the beginning of every presidency and looks different for every president. The President also determines who is his chief foreign affairs advisor, the Sec of State or the NSA.