Breadcrumb

National Security Decision Memoranda (NSDM)

Background and Purpose

The Nixon Administration issued 264 National Security Decision Memoranda between 1969 and 1974. These documents are formal statements that announce presidential decisions, establish policy, and inform other departments and agencies of the decisions and their related responsibilities.

Some NSDMs directly respond to policy studies commissioned through the National Security Study Memoranda (NSSM). Others address new foreign policy and national security concerns, authorize certain actions, or provide instructions for U.S. delegates to conferences and negotiations. The wide range of topics covered by the NSDMs include foreign relations, defense, intelligence, international economic policy, weaponry, and budgets.

Most documents are one to three pages long. Attachments have also been scanned if they relate directly to the content of the memo and are needed to understand the memo. NSDMs are arranged in numerical order, which roughly corresponds to the date issued.

Locating the original records

Unless otherwise noted below, all NSDMs were scanned from the original documents housed in the National Security Council Institutional Files, Box H-208. If an original memo did not appear in this box, the Nixon staff searched the other NSC files to find the most complete version available. Memos that are only partially declassified were scanned from reference copies provided by the NSC.

Asterisk key:

(None)=  declassified and released in full

*(1 asterisk)=  declassified and released in part

**(2 asterisks)=  fully classified

Number Subject Date
NSDM 1 Establishment of NSC Decision and Study Memoranda Series January 20, 1969
NSDM 2 Reorganization of the National Security Council System January 20, 1969
NSDM 3 The Direction, Coordination and Supervision of Interdepartmental Activities Overseas January 20, 1969
NSDM 4 Program Analyses Studies September 4, 1969
NSDM 5 Disposition of National Security Action Memoranda February 3, 1969
NSDM 6 Presidential Decision to Ratify Non-Proliferation Treaty February 5, 1969
NSDM 7 The Direction, Coordination and Supervision of Interdepartmental Activities Overseas -- the Interdepartmental Groups February 7, 1969
NSDM 8 Crisis Anticipation and Management March 21, 1969
NSDM 9 Vietnam April 1, 1969
NSDM 10 AID and PL 480 Commitments April 11, 1969
NSDM 11 Peru April 11, 1969
NSDM 12 NATO April 14, 1969
NSDM 13 Policy Toward Japan May 28, 1969
NSDM 14 Policy Toward Post-De Gaulle France May 29, 1969
NSDM 15 East-West Trade May 28, 1969
NSDM 16 Criteria for Strategic Sufficiency June 24, 1969
NSDM 17 Relaxation of Economic Controls Against China June 26, 1969
NSDM 18 Review of Underground Nuclear Tests June 27, 1969
NSDM 19 Washington Special Actions Group July 3, 1969
NSDM 20 U.S. Foreign Internal Defense Policy July 10, 1969
NSDM 21 Peru July 22, 1969
NSDM 22 Interdepartmental Organization for Panamanian Affairs August 27, 1969
NSDM 23 Vietnam Special Studies Group September 16, 1969
NSDM 24 Vietnam September 17, 1969
NSDM 25 Disposition of Outdated NSC Policy Papers September 17, 1969
NSDM 26 Defense Program Review Committee October 11, 1969
NSDM 27 U.S. Military Posture October 11, 1969
NSDM 28 Untying of Aid October 20, 1969
NSDM 29 Tariff Preferences for Developing Countries October 31, 1969
NSDM 30 US Position for Special Meetings of the Inter-American Economic and Social Council November 5, 1969
NSDM 31 Rockefeller Recommendations on Debt Service November 5, 1969
NSDM 32 Water Development and Middle East Policy November 6, 1969
NSDM 33 Preliminiary Strategic Arms Limitation Talks November 12, 1969
NSDM 34 US Policy Toward Greece -- Military Assistance November 14, 1969
NSDM 35 United States Policy on Chemical Warfare Program and Bacteriological/Biological Research Program November 25, 1969
NSDM 36 Holiday Truces, Cease-fire and Troop Withdrawls December 3, 1969
NSDM 37 U.S. Position for the Special Meetings of the Inter-American Economic and Social Council January 27, 1970
NSDM 38 United States Policy Toward Southern Africa January 28, 1970
NSDM 39 U.S. Position for the Special Meetings of the Inter-American Economic and Social Council January 29, 1970
NSDM 40* Responsibility for the Conduct, Supervision, and Coordination of Covert Action Operations February 17, 1970
NSDM 41 Debt Service February 18, 1970
NSDM 42 Jet Aircraft for Argentina February 19, 1970
NSDM 43 US Policy Toward Spain: Base Negotiations February 20, 1970
NSDM 44 United States Policy on Toxins February 20, 1970
NSDM 45 U.S. Policy Toward Spain: Proposed Spanish Trade Agreement with the European Community March 2, 1970
NSDM 46 Jet Aircraft for Latin America March 5, 1970
NSDM 47 U.S. Policy Toward Rhodesia March 9, 1970
NSDM 48 U.S. Programs in Korea March 20, 1970
NSDM 49 Preparation of Detailed SALT Options March 27, 1970
NSDM 50 Release of Public Information Concerning Foreign Nuclear Tests April 6, 1970
NSDM 51 Vienna Strategic Arms Limitation Talks April 10, 1970
NSDM 52 Quarterly Report on the State of the War and Vietnamization April 10, 1970
NSDM 53 Draft Reform and the Elimination of Draft Calls April 14, 1970
NSDM 54 Inter-American Development Bank Replenishment April 16, 1970
NSDM 55 South West Africa May 22, 1970
NSDM 56 Actions in Support of the Cambodian Government April 22, 1970
NSDM 57 Actions to Protect U.S. Forces in South Vietnam April 26, 1970
NSDM 58 Actions to Protect U.S. Forces in South Vietnam April 28, 1970
NSDM 59* FY 1971-72 Nuclear Weapons Stockpile May 9, 1970
NSDM 60** Nuclear Weapons Deployment Authorization for FY 1971 May 9, 1970
NSDM 61 Jordan Arms Package May 19, 1970
NSDM 62 Convention on Continental Shelf and Seabeds May 22, 1970
NSDM 63 Psychological Warfare Operations Against the Vietnamese Communists June 2, 1970
NSDM 64 Panama Canal June 5, 1970
NSDM 65 Tariff Preferences for Developing Countries June 12, 1970
NSDM 66 Next Steps in the Middle East June 18, 1970
NSDM 67 Military Supply Policy Toward Greece June 25, 1970
NSDM 68 U.S. Policy Toward the European Community July 3, 1970
NSDM 69 Strategic Arms Limitation Talks July 9, 1970
NSDM 70 International Space Cooperation: US-USSR Activities July 10, 1970
NSDM 71 United States Antarctic Policy and Program July 10, 1970
NSDM 72 Exchange of Technical Data Between the United States and the International Space Community July 17, 1970
NSDM 73 Supplemental Guidance for Strategic Arms Limitation Talks July 22, 1970
NSDM 74 Detailed Statement of the Provisions of U.S. SALT Position July 31, 1970
NSDM 75 Rhodesia Sanctions August 7, 1970
NSDM 76 The New U.S. Foreign Assistance Programs August 10, 1970
NSDM 77 Air Activity in Southeast Asia over FY 71 August 12, 1970
NSDM 78 Authorization for Use of Riot Control Agents and Chemical Herbicides in War August 11, 1970
NSDM 79 Establishment of Special Review Group for Southeast Asia August 13, 1970
NSDM 80 Vietnam Economic Policy August 13, 1970
NSDM 81 Implementation of Arms Embargo on South Africa and Portugese African Territories August 17, 1970
NSDM 82 Revision of the U.S. Port Security Program September 1, 1970
NSDM 83 IA-ECOSOC - United States Position for the Fall Meetings of the Special Committee for Consultation and Negotiation September 7, 1970
NSDM 84 Defense Program FY 72-76 September 11, 1970
NSDM 85 The National Security Council Senior Review Group September 14, 1970
NSDM 86 Tariff Preferences for Developing Countries October 14, 1970
NSDM 87 Military and Financial Assistance to Israel October 15, 1970
NSDM 88 US Force Levels in Europe and "Burden-sharing" October 15, 1970
NSDM 89 Cambodia Strategy October 26, 1970
NSDM 90 Instructions for Strategic Arms Limitation and Talks at Helsinki (SALT III) November 2, 1970
NSDM 91 United States Policy on Germany and Berlin November 6, 1970
NSDM 92 U.S. Policy Toward the Persian Gulf November 7, 1970
NSDM 93 Policy Towards Chile November 9, 1970
NSDM 94 U.S. Policy Toward Haiti November 13, 1970
NSDM 95 U.S. Strategy and Forces for NATO November 25, 1970
NSDM 96 Nuclear Weapons Safety Rules December 14, 1970
NSDM 97 Safeguard Review February 8, 1971
NSDM 98 Coordination of Foreign Affairs Research Sponsored by the Federal Government February 9, 1971
NSDM 99 East-west Trade March 1, 1971
NSDM 100 Military Equipment Package for Jordan March 1, 1971
NSDM 101 FY 1971 Economic Assistance Program for India March 2, 1971
NSDM 102 Instructions for Strategic Arms Limitations Talks at Vienna (SALT IV) March 11, 1971
NSDM 103 Military Cooperation with France March 29, 1971
NSDM 104 Cooperation with France on Nuclear Safety March 29, 1971
NSDM 105 Steps Toward Augmentation of Travel and Trade Between the People's Republic of China and the United States April 13, 1971
NSDM 106 The Berlin Negotiations April 22, 1971
NSDM 107 Indonesian Military Assistance May 5, 1971
NSDM 108 Guidance on Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions May 21, 1971
NSDM 109 Pan American Highway and the Darien Gap May 25, 1971
NSDM 110 US-Soviet Incidents at Sea May 26, 1971
NSDM 111 Brazilian Territorial Sea Claims and Related Fisheries Problems May 29, 1971
NSDM 112 Country Programming August 24, 1971
NSDM 113 Republic of Korea Forces in South Vietnam June 23, 1971
NSDM 114 Bolivia June 23, 1971
NSDM 115 Panama Canal Treaty Negotiations June 24, 1971
NSDM 116 The U.S. Policy on Mutual Force Reductions in Europe (MBFR) June 28, 1971
NSDM 117 Instructions for Strategic Arms Limitation Talks at Helsinki (SALT V) July 2, 1971
NSDM 118 Improvements in South Vietnamese Forces July 3, 1971
NSDM 119 Disclosure of Classified United States Military Information to Foreign Governments and International Organizations July 20, 1971
NSDM 120 Further Instructions for the Strategic Arms Limitations Talks at Helsinki (SALT V) July 20, 1971
NSDM 121* Nuclear Weapons Deployment Authorization for FY 1972 July 21, 1971
NSDM 122 U.S. Oceans Policy July 22, 1971
NSDM 123 Participation by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General in Meetings of the National Security Council July 27, 1971
NSDM 124* US-UK Nuclear Relations July 29, 1971
NSDM 125 The Berlin Negotiations: The Issue of a Soviet Consulate General August 11, 1971
NSDM 126 Additional Assistance to Thailand August 11, 1971
NSDM 127 Further Instructions for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks at Helsinki (SALT V) August 12, 1971
NSDM 128* FY 1972-1974 Nuclear Weapons Stockpile August 16, 1971
NSDM 129 ROK Force Structure and Modernization Program September 2, 1971
NSDM 130 U.S.-Japan Joint Economic Committee Meeting September 7, 1971
NSDM 131 Panama Canal Treaty Negotiations September 13, 1971
NSDM 132 Modification of SSBN Commitments to NATO September 13, 1971
NSDM 133 U.S. Strategy and Forces for NATO; Allied Force Improvements September 22, 1971
NSDM 134 Policy Guidance on Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions October 2, 1971
NSDM 135 FY 1972 Underground Nuclear Test Program (GROMMET) October 6, 1971
NSDM 136 Policy in Cases of Expropriation October 8, 1971
NSDM 137 Policy Toward Iceland October 13, 1971
NSDM 138 Policy Toward Malta October 13, 1971
NSDM 139 Fishing Negotiations with Chile, Ecuador and Peru November 5, 1971
NSDM 140 Instructions for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks at Vienna (SALT VI) November 15, 1971
NSDM 141 Herbicides in Vietnam November 26, 1971
NSDM 142 Presidential Guidance on Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions and a European Conference December 2, 1971
NSDM 143 United States International Exchange Programs December 17, 1971
NSDM 144 United States Arctic Policy and Arctic Policy Group December 22, 1971
NSDM 145 Additional Instructions for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks at Vienna (SALT VI) January 3, 1972
NSDM 146 U.S.-Soviet Maritime Talks January 3, 1972
NSDM 147 Fisheries Dispute with Ecuador, Peru and Chile January 4, 1972
NSDM 148 Expropriation Policy in Multilateral Development Institutions January 18, 1972
NSDM 149 Additional Authorities for Southeast Asia February 4, 1972
NSDM 150 NSSM 140 -- US-Soviet Talks on Preventing Incidents at Sea February 11, 1972
NSDM 151 Next Steps with Respect to U.S.-Soviet Trading Relationships February 14, 1972
NSDM 152 Herbicides in Vietnam and NSDM 141 February 14, 1972
NSDM 153 Review of US-USSR Negotiations February 17, 1972
NSDM 154 Vietnam Economic Policy February 17, 1972
NSDM 155 Relaxation of Restrictions on Trade with People's Republic of China February 17, 1972
NSDM 156 Second Half FY 1972 Nuclear Test Program March 8, 1972
NSDM 157 Preparatory Meeting for the Law of the Sea Conference March 13, 1972
NSDM 158 Instructions for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks at Helsinki (SALT VII) March 23, 1972
NSDM 159 Integrated Circuit Technology Exports to Poland and Romania March 29, 1972
NSDM 160 The Situation and Outlook in Bolivia April 4, 1972
NSDM 161 Republic of Korea Forces in South Vietnam April 5, 1972
NSDM 162 Presidential Guidance on Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions and a Conference on Cooperation and Security in Europe April 5, 1972
NSDM 163 Statement of Policy Relative to U.S. Action in the Event of Unprovoked Communist Attack Against U.S. Aircraft or Vessels Outside of Communist Territory April 6, 1972
NSDM 164 Additional Instruction for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks at Helsinki (SALT VII) May 1, 1972
NSDM 165 International Aspects of Weather Modification May 2, 1972
NSDM 166 Instructions for Strategic Arms Limitations Talks at Helsinki (SALT VII): Amplification of NSDM 164 May 12, 1972
NSDM 167 Additional Instructions for Strategic Arms Limitations Talks at Helsinki (SALT VII) May 17, 1972
NSDM 168 Military Assistance to the RVN May 19, 1972
NSDM 169 International Environmental Negotiations May 29, 1972
NSDM 170 US-PRC Trade June 8, 1972
NSDM 171 Russian Request for Samples of the Lassa Virus June 15, 1972
NSDM 172 FY 73 DOD Budget Amendment June 27, 1972
NSDM 173 Polish-US Economic Relations July 7, 1972
NSDM 174* FY 73-75 Nuclear Weapons Stockpile July 7, 1972
NSDM 175 Review of NSSM 139 -- U.S. Policy Governing Release of Components or Technology for Inclusion in Foreign Military Exports to Third Countries July 10, 1972
NSDM 176 Bilateral Aid for Malta July 14, 1972
NSDM 177 July-August Preparatory Meeting for the Law of the Sea Conference July 18, 1972
NSDM 178* FY 1973 Nuclear Weapons Deployment Authorization July 18, 1972
NSDM 179 CCC Regulations Affecting US-Soviet Grain Sale and Maritime Agreement July 18, 1972
NSDM 180 Lend-Lease Negotiations with the USSR July 20, 1972
NSDM 181 Commercial Commission Negotiations and Related Matters July 20, 1972
NSDM 182 Continuing Authority to Deliver Nuclear Materials and to Acquire Utilization Facilities July 31, 1972
NSDM 183 Nuclear Test Program for FY 1973 (TOGGLE) July 31, 1972
NSDM 184 United States Civil Defense Policy August 14, 1972
NSDM 185 Assistance to UK Missile Program August 15, 1972
NSDM 186 US Military Supply Policy for the Lower Persian Gulf States and Oman August 18, 1972
NSDM 187 International Space Cooperation - Technology and Launch Assistance August 30, 1972
NSDM 188 PRC Blocked Assets and Private Claims August 30, 1972
NSDM 189 GE-SNECMA Jet Engine Joint Venture September 19, 1972
NSDM 190 Lend-Lease Negotiations with the USSR September 20, 1972
NSDM 191 Commercial and Related Negotiations with the USSR September 20, 1972
NSDM 192 Lend-Lease Negotiations with the USSR October 18, 1972
NSDM 193 RVNAF Force Structure October 24, 1972
NSDM 194 Fisheries Negotiations with Ecuador October 27, 1972
NSDM 195 Amendment to Transportation Order T-2 Affecting the PRC October 30, 1972
NSDM 196 Law of the Sea Instructions, 27th Session U.N. General Assembly October 31, 1972
NSDM 197 Instructions for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Geneva, November 21, 1972 November 18, 1972
NSDM 198 SALT Standing Consultative Commission November 18, 1972
NSDM 199 U.S. Policy Toward Peru December 26, 1972
NSDM 200 Policy Toward Morocco, NSSM 160 January 5, 1973
NSDM 201 Contingency Planning January 5, 1973
NSDM 202 Arctic Program Review and Recommendations January 22, 1973
NSDM 203 Revised Guidelines for Stockpile Planning February 6, 1973
NSDM 204 Sale of Inertial Navigational Systems to the People's Republic of China February 6, 1973
NSDM 205 Nuclear Test Program for Second Half FY 1973 (TOGGLE II) February 7, 1973
NSDM 206 Instructions for the Strategic Arms Limitations Talks, Geneva, March 12, 1973 March 11, 1973
NSDM 207 Procedures for Dealing with Various Types of Non-Military Incidents March 13, 1973
NSDM 208 Standby Draft March 16, 1973
NSDM 209 U.S. Policy Toward the Philippines March 27, 1973
NSDM 210 South Vietnam Economic Support April 11, 1973
NSDM 211 Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions (MBFR) [Note: large file, 7.04MB] April 16, 1973
NSDM 212 Economic Policies for the Eastern European Countries May 2, 1973
NSDM 213 Instructions for the SALT Talks May 3, 1973
NSDM 214 Balance of Payments Offset and Burden-sharing Negotiations with NATO May 3, 1973
NSDM 215 US-Soviet Bilateral Issues May 3, 1973
NSDM 216 Instructions for SALT Talks May 7, 1973
NSDM 217 SALT Standing Consultative Commission May 16, 1973
NSDM 218 Salinity Problem with Mexico May 28, 1973
NSDM 219 Implementation Procedures for Agreement on Measures to Reduce the Risk of the Outbreak of Nuclear War Between the USA and the USSR June 4, 1973
NSDM 220 GE-SNECMA, CFM-56 Jet Engine Joint Development June 4, 1973
NSDM 221 U.S. Policy Toward the Bahama Islands June 5, 1973
NSDM 222 COCOM June 11, 1973
NSDM 223 Private International Exchange Council June 22, 1973
NSDM 224 National Net Assessment Process, NSSM 178 June 28, 1973
NSDM 225 July-August 1973 Preparatory Meeting for the Law of the Sea Conference July 16, 1973
NSDM 226* Nuclear Weapons Deployment Authorization for FY 1974 July 18, 1973
NSDM 227 Korean Force Modernization Plan July 27, 1973
NSDM 228* FY 1974-1976 Nuclear Weapons Stockpile August 8, 1973
NSDM 229* FY 1974 Underground Test Program (ARBOR) August 8, 1973
NSDM 230 U.S. Strategy and Forces for Asia August 9, 1973
NSDM 231 Ethiopia-Kagnew Station and Military Assistance August 14, 1973
NSDM 232 Maritime Access to Charleston, South Carolina September 1, 1973
NSDM 233 Instructions for SALT, Geneva, September 24, 1973 September 28, 1973
NSDM 234 US-Icelandic Defense Negotiations October 2, 1973
NSDM 235 NSSM 150, United States Policy on Transfer of Highly Enriched Uranium for Fueling Power Reactors October 4, 1973
NSDM 236 Instructions for IMCO Marine Pollution Conference October 9, 1973
NSDM 237 Instructions for U.S. Commissioner, SALT Standing Consultative Commisssion, Geneva, September 24, 1973 October 15, 1973
NSDM 238* Implementation Procedures for Agreement on Measures to Reduce the Risk of the Outbreak of Nuclear War Between the USA and the USSR November 19, 1973
NSDM 239 National Net Assessment Process November 27, 1973
NSDM 240 Organizational Session of U.N. Law of the Sea Conference December 3, 1973
NSDM 241 Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions January 10, 1974
NSDM 242 Policy for Planning the Employment of Nuclear Weapons January 17, 1974
NSDM 243 Second Half FY 1974 Underground Nuclear Test Program (ARBOR II) January 31, 1974
NSDM 244 International Energy Review Group February 8, 1974
NSDM 245 Instructions for the SALT Talks, Geneva, February 19, 1974 February 19, 1974
NSDM 246 End-Use Information Required by U.S. and COCOM Export Controls March 7, 1974
NSDM 247 U.S. Policy on the Export of Computers to Communist Countries March 14, 1974
NSDM 248* Changes in U.S. Force Levels on Taiwan March 14, 1974
NSDM 249 U.S. Deployments in Thailand March 23, 1974
NSDM 250 U.S. Policy Toward Purchase of Soviet Uranium Enrichment Services March 29, 1974
NSDM 251 Termination of the U.N. Command in Korea March 29, 1974
NSDM 252 Instructions for U.S. Commissioner, SALT Standing Consultative Comission, Geneva, April 2, 1974 April 18, 1974
NSDM 253 Membership of the National Security Council Intelligence Committee April 24, 1974
NSDM 254 Domestic Safeguards April 27, 1974
NSDM 255 Security and Other Aspects of the Growth and Dissemination of Nuclear Power Industries June 3, 1974
NSDM 256 Nuclear Test Ban Policy June 10, 1974
NSDM 257 Latin American Initiatives June 10, 1974
NSDM 258* Nuclear Weapon Yield: Amendment to NSAM 143 and NSAM 199 June 20, 1974
NSDM 259* Programs of Cooperation for Nuclear Bomb Support of Non-U.S. NATO Nations June 20, 1974
NSDM 260 Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea June 24, 1974
NSDM 261 Nuclear Sales to the PRC July 22, 1974
NSDM 262 Use of U.S. Bases in Japan in the Event of Aggression Against South Korea July 29, 1974
NSDM 263 U.S. Policy on Antarctic Mineral Resources July 29, 1974
NSDM 264 Nuclear Test Program for FY 1975 (BEDROCK) August 6, 1974


 

Location of original record copies:

NSDM 40: NSC Reference Copies
NSDM 59: NSC Reference Copies
NSDM 84: Box H-219, folder "NSDM 84"
NSDM 85: Box H-219, folder "NSDM 85"
NSDM 103: Box H-222, folder "NSDM 103 [1 of 2]"
NSDM 121: NSC Reference Copies
NSDM 124: NSC Reference Copies
NSDM 128: NSC Reference Copies
NSDM 174: NSC Reference Copies
NSDM 178: NSC Reference Copies
NSDM 211: Attachment scanned from Box H-239, folder "NSDM 211"
NSDM 217: Attachment scanned from Box H-240, folder "NSDM 217"
NSDM 219: Box H-240, folder "NSDM 219"
NSDM 226: NSC Reference Copies
NSDM 228: NSC Reference Copies
NSDM 229: NSC Reference Copies
NSDM 230: Box H-242, folder "NSDM 230"
NSDM 231: Box H-242, folder "NSDM 231"
NSDM 238: NSC Reference Copies
NSDM 248: NSC Reference Copies
NSDM 258: NSC Reference Copies
NSDM 259: NSC Reference Copies

All other NSDMs were scanned from the original documents housed in Box H-208.