National security

National security refers to the security of a nation state, including its citizens, economy, and institutions, and is regarded as a duty of government. Originally conceived as protection against military attack, national security is now widely understood to include also non-military dimensions, including the security from terrorism, minimization of crime, economic security, energy security, environmental security, and cyber-security. In Hebrew, national security is translated as "ביטחון לאומי" (bitchon leumi). In French, it is "sécurité nationale," in Spanish "seguridad nacional," and in German "nationale Sicherheit." The concept of national security is often used as a justification for implementing policies and measures designed to protect a nation's core values, interests, and population. These measures can include the use of diplomacy, economic policy, and, in extreme cases, military action. The Cold War saw the development of the doctrine of mutual assured destruction, a strategy of deterrence based on the threat of nuclear retaliation. In the post-Cold War era, national security strategies have evolved to encompass a broader range of threats, including cyber warfare, terrorism, and pandemics. The United Nations Charter considers national security as the first duty of each member state.