When the NRC was created in 2002, it was devised as a mechanism for dialogue, cooperation, and joint decision-making on issues of mutual interest, including non-proliferation and arms control, the fight against terrorism, civil emergency planning, and military-to-military cooperation. The NRC also was supposed to act as a forum for “holding prompt consultations” in crisis situations and to prevent such crises by “early identification of emerging problems.”
当NRC在2002年创立时，它是作为一种针对双方共同利益相关事务的对话、合作与共同决策机制，其中包括（核）不扩散与军备控制、反恐、民事应急预案和军事合作。NRC本来还应该成为一个论坛，在危机中“提供即时的咨询”并通过“尽早发现问题的苗头”来预防危机。