National Security and Defence Council
| Këshilli Kombëtar i Sigurisë dhe Mbrojtjes | |
 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 31 March 1993 |
| Preceding agency |
|
| Type | National security |
| Jurisdiction | Austeria |
| Headquarters | Kartha, Austeria |
| Agency executives |
|
| Parent agency | President of Austeria |
| Child agencies | |
The National Security and Defence Council (Tethian: Këshilli Kombëtar i Sigurisë dhe Mbrojtjes: abbr. KKSM) is the unified governing body responsible for national security, intelligence, and defence matters in Austeria. Although the President is ultimately responsible as commander in chief, the Four Amendments to the 1990 Constitution specifies that all major issues related to national security and defence should be deliberated by the Council in order to advise the President. As the highest state institution for national defence and security, the State Security Service, Austerian National Police, and the Austerian Armed Forces all report to the Council. In addition to advising the President on policy, the Council recommends military appointments and promotions to the President and coordinates between security and defence organs in Austeria.
The KKSM is chaired by the President and usually consists of several other members such as the Premier, government ministers, and the heads of the branches of the military. Although the Council constitutionally only serves as an advisory council to the President, in reality it has significant influence over a broad range of policy and the exercise thereof. As a result, it effectively determines the defence and security policy of Austeria, but within the guidelines established by the President. According to many academics, the KKSM is the "nucleus" of Trident, the security and defence establishment that forms a deep state within Austeria.
History
The KKSM's existence is enshrined in the constitutional reforms of 1993 as the successor to the Central Military Commission of the Austerian Labour Party. Under the Presidency of Sotir Godo, it quickly established itself as a crucial part of coordinating policy on national security and defence issues. During the 2005 constitutional crisis, the KKSM was called to consult President Fatos Majko on handling the civil unrest; instead the council controversially voted to call for the resignation of the President, which he did a day later. This was widely considered to be a soft coup by the security establishment and remains very controversial to this day. In 2013, oversight of the Austerian National Police was transferred to the KKSM as part of an effort to curb corruption within the agency. In response to the outbreak of the Tsabaran Civil War, the Council has begun meeting monthly to determine and evaluate Austeria's efforts to support the government of Tsabara and defend against infiltration by Zorasani intelligence services. The Council has repeatedly stated since 2020 that Zorasan is the most significant threat to Austerian national security today.