National security is commonly devised as preparedness for military action, protection of resources considered critical to the functioning of a nation to protect a country from attack or subversion.
It is a collective term encompassing both national defense and foreign relations of a country, specifically, the condition provided by: 1. a military or defense advantage over any foreign nation or group of nations, or 2. a favorable foreign relations position, or 3. a defense posture capable of successfully resisting hostile or destructive action from within or without, overt or covert[15].
The concept of national security is based on a national security strategy – the art and science of developing, applying, and coordinating diplomatic, economic, military, and informational instruments of the national power – to achieve objectives that contribute to national security.
The concept of national security and defense is also based on national military strategy– the art and science of distributing and applying military power(i.e.the military andparamilitary forces) to attain national objectives in peace and war.
The military forces of a nation are called armed forces. The term is used to denote collectively all components of the Army, Navy, Air Force and other armed services.
National objectivesare the aims, derived from national goals and interests, toward which a national policy or strategy is directed and efforts and resources of the nation are applied. The national policy is commonly recognized as a broad course of action or statements of guidance adopted by the government at the national level in pursuit of national objectives.
Moreover, the concept of national defense and security is interwoven with the notions of national security interests –the foundation for the development of valid national objectives that define country’s goals or purposes. For example, the US national security interests include “preserving US political identity, framework, and institutions; fostering economic well-being; and bolstering international order supporting the vital interests of the United States and its allies”[16].
National security is based on the constitution, laws, international treaties, agreements, doctrines, concepts, and other legal acts[17].
Various organizations and agencies are directly concerned with national security issues. In Ukraine, for instance, there is a governmental body – the Council of National Security and Defense of Ukraine (CNSDU) – specifically designed to assist the President (who is the Head of the Council under the Costitution) in pursuing national security policy. The CNSDU also comprises the Head of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Prime-minister of Ukraine, the Council’s Secretary, the Minister of Emergencies and Population Protection from the Consequences of Chornobyl Catastrophe, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the Head of the Presidential Administration, the Minister of Finance of Ukraine, the Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, the President of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine, the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the Minister of Justice of Ukraine, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Minister of Economics of Ukraine.