The West Wing

Office of the Secretary of Defense

Description

President Bartlet orders National Security Advisor Bob Slattery to route a classified directive for a forced-depletion casualty estimate on a potential Khundu peacekeeping mission directly through Pentagon liaison Jack Reese. Bartlet explicitly excludes this office from all knowledge to dodge political risks and policy friction with the prickly incoming Secretary ahead of inauguration. The office embodies civilian oversight at the Pentagon's apex, forcing White House maneuvers through back channels for sensitive military planning.

Event Involvements

Events with structured involvement data

1 events
S4E14 · Inauguration Part I
Ordering the Forced-Depletion Estimate for Khundu

The Office of the Secretary of Defense is the political body Bartlet explicitly seeks to exclude from the forced-depletion loop to avoid politicization and media exposure; its potential involvement is framed as a political risk.

Active Representation

Manifested by Bartlet's instruction to keep the Secretary's office out of the brief and by Slattery's agreeing assessment of political consequences.

Power Dynamics

Institutionally powerful, with authority over defense reporting; currently positioned as an obstacle to discreet White House action.

Institutional Impact

Its potential involvement raises the risk of politicization and public controversy, shaping the White House's decision to use back channels.

Internal Dynamics

Implied defensiveness and willingness to assert institutional prerogative if brought into the loop.

Organizational Goals
Preserve oversight of defense-related analyses and maintain control over messaging. Protect institutional prerogatives against perceived executive circumvention.
Influence Mechanisms
Political authority and access to senior-level channels Capacity to publicize or leak sensitive information through institutional networks

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Events mentioning this organization

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