Message to the Congress -- Update on the Whole-of-Government Vision in the President’s National Security Strategy of 2010

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

TO SELECTED CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP

November 29, 2013

Dear Mr. Chairman: (Dear Madam Chairman:) (Dear Senator:) (Dear Representative:)

In my National Security Strategy of 2010, I addressed how the United States would strengthen its global leadership position; end the war in Iraq; disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qa'ida; and achieve economic recovery at home and abroad. The Strategy recognized that we faced a world in transition; that we needed to reposition the United States to shape that transition effectively to meet our interests, and that, to be effective, a whole-of-government approach was necessary. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2012, section 1072, reinforced the importance of whole-of-government integration in this effort. In accordance with section 1072, I provided an implementation plan in September 2012 detailing our work to date to advance the whole-of-government effort.

I am writing to inform you of my intent to release a new National Security Strategy in early 2014. The new Strategy will update the vision I provided in 2010 and describe my Administration's national security priorities for the remainder of my term. Accordingly, we will submit a broader update on the whole-of-government implementation plan in the spring to reflect this new Strategy.

Sincerely,

BARACK OBAMA