National Security Archive

National Security Archive
Name	National Security Archive
Founded	0 1985
Founder	Scott Armstrong, Thomas Blanton
Location	George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Focus	Freedom of information, Declassification, Government accountability

National Security Archive. It is a non-governmental, non-profit research institution and library located at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.. Founded in 1985 by journalists Scott Armstrong and Thomas Blanton, it serves as a repository of declassified U.S. government documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The organization is dedicated to combating government secrecy, providing primary source material to journalists, scholars, and the public, and fostering transparency in national security and foreign policy.

History and founding

The organization was established in 1985 by investigative journalist Scott Armstrong and former Carter administration official Thomas Blanton. Its creation was inspired by the need for a centralized repository for documents released under the Freedom of Information Act, particularly following major investigations like the Church Committee and the Iran-Contra affair. Initially operating as a project, it was formally incorporated and later found a permanent home at the Gelman Library at George Washington University. Key early support came from foundations like the Ford Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, enabling its first major document collections on critical events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the U.S. invasion of Panama.

Mission and activities

Its core mission is to challenge government secrecy and promote public access to information through aggressive use of the Freedom of Information Act and global transparency laws. Staff systematically file requests with agencies like the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Council, and the U.S. Department of State. Beyond document acquisition, analysts contextualize materials through detailed chronologies, published books, and articles in outlets like The Washington Post. A major daily activity is the production of the Electronic Briefing Book, which publishes curated document sets on topics ranging from the September 11 attacks to nuclear diplomacy with North Korea.

Major projects and collections

It maintains one of the world's largest non-governmental collections of declassified documents, comprising millions of pages. Signature projects include the "Iran-Contra Affair" collection, the "Cuban Missile Crisis" documentation, and the "September 11th Sourcebooks". It has also undertaken extensive projects on U.S. policy in Latin America, such as Guatemala and El Salvador, and on nuclear history, including the Nixon administration's dealings with the Soviet Union. The "Digital National Security Archive" is a subscription database partnership with ProQuest that provides organized access to over 100 curated collections on topics like the Vietnam War and the Cold War.

Impact and recognition

The organization has profoundly influenced historical scholarship, journalism, and public policy debates by bringing hidden documents to light. Its work was instrumental in investigations by the 9/11 Commission and reports on U.S. interventions in Chile and Nicaragua. It has received numerous awards, including the George Polk Award in 1995 and the McGraw Center for Business Journalism's prize. Publications by its analysts, such as books on the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Reagan administration, are frequently cited by major media like The New York Times and BBC News. Its online publications are a primary resource for researchers worldwide.

Legal and advocacy work

It operates a robust legal program, frequently litigating to force disclosure when federal agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the U.S. Department of Defense deny requests. Landmark lawsuits have secured the release of records on the JFK assassination, the Pentagon Papers, and covert operations in Angola. The organization also advocates for stronger transparency laws, testifying before Congress and working with coalitions like the OpenTheGovernment.org. It has filed amicus briefs in pivotal Supreme Court cases concerning the Freedom of Information Act and the State Secrets Privilege.

Organizational structure and funding

It is structured as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, governed by a board of directors that includes scholars like Anna K. Nelson and journalists such as Evan Thomas. Day-to-day operations are led by an executive director and managed by a staff of archivists, analysts, and lawyers. Funding is derived from a mix of foundation grants from entities like the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the MacArthur Foundation, publication royalties, individual donations, and university support from George Washington University. It does not accept funding from any government entity, maintaining strict editorial and operational independence.

Category:Research institutes in Washington, D.C. Category:Archives in the United States Category:Freedom of information organizations