Truman National Security Project

Truman National Security Project
Name	Truman National Security Project
Formation	2004
Type	Nonprofit organization
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Region served	United States
Leader title	CEO
Leader name	(various)
Website	(official website)

Truman National Security Project

The Truman National Security Project is a U.S.-based nonprofit leadership organization linking national security professionals, policy experts, and advocates associated with progressive foreign policy and defense perspectives. Founded in the mid-2000s, it connects practitioners who have served in institutions such as the United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, United States Department of Defense, United States Department of State, and United States Agency for International Development with communities and think tanks like the Brookings Institution, Council on Foreign Relations, and Center for American Progress. Its network includes veterans of operations linked to the Iraq War, Afghanistan War (2001–2021), and policy debates around accords such as the Iran nuclear deal framework and the Paris Agreement.

Overview

The organization cultivates leadership among professionals from institutions including the Pentagon, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, United States Marine Corps, United States Army, and United States Navy while engaging with policy communities at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, RAND Corporation, Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, and Cato Institute. Members and alumni have backgrounds connected to administrations of presidents such as Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter, and have served on congressional committees including the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on Armed Services. The Project fosters ties to advocacy groups like Veterans for American Ideals, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Center for Strategic and International Studies, and regional institutions such as the Asia Foundation and the Inter-American Dialogue.

History and Development

Founded in 2004 by veterans and staffers with experience from campaigns and institutions tied to figures like Harry S. Truman's historical legacy and post-Cold War policy debates, the organization developed amid controversies over the Iraq War and the policy shifts following the September 11 attacks. Early founders and advisors had served in roles under officials associated with the Department of Homeland Security, National Security Council (United States), and legislative staffs involved in the Authorization for Use of Military Force of 2001 deliberations. Over time the Project expanded programming in concert with partners such as MoveOn.org, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Ford Foundation, and university centers at Harvard Kennedy School, Georgetown University, Princeton University, and Yale University. The group responded to events like the Arab Spring, negotiations connected to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and shifts following elections of leaders including Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

Mission and Programs

The stated mission emphasizes development of leaders who blend experience from the United States Foreign Service, United States Agency for International Development, and uniformed services with advocacy in arenas tied to treaties and accords such as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty debates, the New START discussions, and climate-related diplomacy like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Program tracks include fellowship cohorts modeled after curricula similar to programs at the Eisenhower School, workshops with analysts from the International Crisis Group, and simulations used by institutions like NATO and the United Nations. Training often leverages expertise from alumni with service in conflicts such as Bosnian War, Kosovo War, Gulf War, and advisory roles during summits like the G7 Summit and NATO Summit. Public-facing activities have included briefings before the United States Congress, op-eds in outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and engagement with media entities such as NPR and BBC News.

Organizational Structure and Leadership

The Project has been governed by a board and an executive team drawing leaders with prior roles at institutions including the Department of Defense Office of Net Assessment, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and legislative staff from the United States Senate Committee on Intelligence. Advisors have included former officials from administrations associated with Madeleine Albright, Hillary Clinton, Robert Gates, and Colin Powell. The organizational model resembles networks seen in groups like the Trilateral Commission and regional caucuses such as the Blue Dog Coalition or New Democrat Coalition but oriented toward national security staffing pipelines. Funding and partnerships have involved philanthropic organizations similar to the Open Society Foundations and university-affiliated endowments.

Notable Alumni and Fellows

Alumni and fellows include individuals who later held or influenced positions within the United States Department of Defense, U.S. embassies globally, congressional staffs on issues tied to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and campaign teams for figures such as Hillary Clinton (politician), Barack Obama, John Kerry, and Pete Buttigieg. Many alumni have backgrounds tied to think tanks including the Atlantic Council, Stimson Center, Brookings Institution, and advocacy groups like Human Rights Campaign and Ploughshares Fund. Some fellows served at the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Defense Intelligence Agency, or as advisors during treaty negotiations exemplified by the START I and New START talks.

Policy Impact and Public Positions

The group has advanced public positions on issues intertwined with debates over interventions exemplified by the Iraq War debate, nuclear nonproliferation such as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action negotiations with Iran, and climate-security linkages discussed at COP21. It has testified or provided briefings relevant to hearings before the United States Senate Armed Services Committee and engaged in coalitions linked to arms control groups like Federation of American Scientists and Union of Concerned Scientists. Its advocacy has intersected with electoral politics, campaign advisory roles, and public commentary on sanctions regimes involving countries like Russia, China, and North Korea.

Category:United States foreign policy think tanks