President Obama Releases Presidential Study Directive 1: Organizing for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism

President Barack Obama released his first Presidential Study Directive on February 23, 2009, addressing the need to reform the counterterrorism structure within the government. "Accordingly, I direct the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism to lead an interagency review of ways to reform the White House organization for counter-terrorism and homeland security in order to strengthen the Government's ability to craft and implement sound policies designed to keep our country secure and our citizens safe. This Presidential Study Directive (PSD) will enhance strategic planning among the Principals and help clarify issues and options for my final decision. In assessing and proposing possible structural reforms, this review shall consider many of the recommendations of numerous bipartisan and expert studies that have examined the White House organization on counterterrorism and homeland security issues." The document may be found by clicking here.