[Cobra64]

I thought the NSA was in the business of intelligence gathering, not in the business of recommending combat operations.

[Voluntaryist]

National security advisor

[FredZarguna]

The NSA is not the same thing as the NSA. The National Security Administration is a sigint intelligence provider. The National Security Advisor is a consumer of intelligence. McMaster and the NSC filter intelligence and analysis from various sources (including The NSA) to advise the President, and yes, he would advise/recommend combat operations.

[Freedom56v2]

I thought the NSA was in the business of intelligence gathering, not in the business of recommending combat operations.

---

Good point!

I trust Trump.

I don’t necessarily trust those around him.

[SSS Two]

I thought the NSA was in the business of intelligence gathering, not in the business of recommending combat operations.

Another example of too many confusing government abbreviations. There are two NSAs at play here:

National Security Advisor: This is the job title held by McMaster. This NSA lead the staff of the National Security Council which provides advice to the president on issues of national security and foreign policy.

National Security Agency: This is the intelligence gathering entity you're thinking of.

The two NSAs, while both have a role in national security, are distinct.