Fighting terrorism: Inside the National Security Council

A hijacked airliner sits on a NATO airfield in Sicily with 63 Americans on board. The terrorist are demanding U.S. concessions un Middle East policy. It is discovered that the plane has been sabotaged with nuclear material and is spewing high amounts of radio activity, endangering the passengers and the NATO base. Bow will the United States government respond to its first nuclear terrorist threat? Fighting Terrorist: Inside the National Security Council takes viewers behind the closed doors of a similated White House Security Council session to reveal how American policy might be formed in just such a crisis. All of the major players in this “similation” have been active in real White House policy decisions, including Robert McFarlane—former NSC Advisor under President Reagan, Richard Helms—former CIA director under Presidents Johnson and Nixon, and Brent Scowcroft—former NSC Advisor under President Ford. The New York Times called the program “fascinating… a primer on high level strategy. The world does not go to war, but it seems a close call.” Host Bill Kurtis moderates a panel discussion at the program’s conclusion between Brent Scowcroft and Robert Hunter, former NSC staffer under president Carter, on the role and importance of the NSC in light of the Iran-Contra revelations. This program provides a fascinating glimpse into the workings of the decision-making process at the pinnacle of diplomatic, military and political power in the United States.