The Imperial Security Council is a principle Imperial Cabinet-level forum established by the Constitution of the German Empire that is used by the Chancellor for considering national security and foreign policy matters with their senior national security advisors and Cabinet officials and is part of the Imperial Chancellory. Since Otto von Bismarck, the function of the Council has been to advise and assist the Chancellor on national security and foreign policies. The Council also serves as the Chancellor's principal arm for coordinating these policies among various government agencies. The Council has counterparts in the national security councils of many other nations.
Membership[]
The Imperial Security Council is chaired by the Chancellor and in some cases by the Emperor. It's regular members are the Vice Chancellor, the President of the Imperial Body, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defense and Military Affairs, and the Assistant to the Chancellor on National Security Affairs (or National Security Advisor). The Chairman of the Imperial Staff is the principal military advisor, and the Director of Imperial Intelligence the principal intelligence advisor. The Head of the Chancellory, Counsel to the Chancellor, and the Economic Councillor are also invited to attend any ISC meeting. The Council meets in the Board Room of the Chancellory and have an advisory staff of eighty members. The leaders of other departments and agencies may also be invited to meetings.