Who provides guidance for coordinating the instruments of national power to achieve national security objectives?

The President of the United States is the individual ultimately responsible for providing guidance for coordinating the instruments of national power—diplomatic, informational, military, and economic—to achieve national security objectives. As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the primary architect of national defense and foreign policy, the President has the authority to direct how these instruments are utilized in a cohesive manner. This role includes making high-level decisions that align military strategy with diplomatic and economic efforts, ensuring that they support the overarching goals of national security.

While the Secretary of Defense, National Security Advisor, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff play critical roles in advising and executing policy and strategy, their guidance and actions derive from the directives set forth by the President. The President sets the vision and priorities for national security, making this role central to the coordination of national power.