A National Security Study Memorandum defined an issue to be studied, set the terms of reference for the study, assigned it to a particular group to prepare (normally one of the Interdepartmental Groups), set a due date for completion of the study, and indicated which of the Intermediate Groups would review the study. Files usually include drafts and final form of the NSSM, background materials, input from concerned departments and agencies, and drafts and final version of the study. The studies covered a wide range of topics including U.S. security assistance to Israel, South Korea, Taiwan, and South Vietnam; U.S. policy toward Japan, Greece, Oman, the Middle East, Southern Europe, Angola, Thailand, and the Persian Gulf; and issues such as uranium enrichment, arms transfers, the strategic stockpile, management of classified national security information, international energy policy, civil defense policy, and national defense policy and military posture.
Folders containing drafts, studies, and comments are filed first, followed by separate sequences of the original ribbon copies of the final NSSMs and responses to selected studies. Arranged by NSSM number.
[Boxes 31-52]
