National Security Decision Directives (NSDDs)
On February 25, 1981 in National Security Decision Directive (NSDD) 1 President Reagan outlined the purpose of the NSDDs,
This series shall be used to promulgate Presidential decisions implementing national policy and objectives in all areas involving national security. All decision directives in this series shall be individually identified by number and signed by the President.
The Reagan Administration enacted over 300 NSDDs from 1981-1989. The National Security Council has declassified in full and in part many of these NSDDs. The Library has digitized all of the open or partially open NSDDs.
The National Security Council Executive Secretariat maintains a collection for the institutional records of NSDDs. This collection includes drafts, information, decisions and comments from federal agencies and White House staff used while formulating National Security Decision Directives. You may view this collection's full inventory and description.
The following NSDDs were scanned in 2012. The Libary continues to update the NSDDs as more material is declassified.
NSDDs:
- NSDD 1 [National Security Council Directives]
- NSDD 2 [National Security Council Structure]
- NSDD 3 [Crisis Management]
- NSDD 4 [Disposition of Presidential Directives]
- NSDD 5 [Conventional Arms Transfer Policy]
- NSDD 6 [United States Non-Proliferation and Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation Policy]
- NSDD 7 [Missiles]
- NSDD 8 [Space Transportation System]
- NSDD 9 [Nuclear Weapons Deployment]
- NSDD 10 [The Future Political Status of Micronesia]
- NSDD 11 [Munitions/Technology Transfer to the People's Republic of China]
- NSDD 12 [Strategic Forces Modernization Program]
- NSDD 13 [Nuclear Weapons Employment Policy]
- NSDD 14 [Security Considerations in Egypt and Sudan]
- NSDD 15 [Theater Nuclear Forces (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces)]
- NSDD 16 [Libya]
- NSDD 17 [Cuba and Central America]
- NSDD 18 [United States Chemical and Biological Weapons Arms Control Policy]
- NSDD 19 [Protection of Classified National Security Council and Intelligence Information]
- NSDD 20 [United States Law of the Sea Policy]
- NSDD 21 [Responding to FLOGGERS in Cuba]
- NSDD 22 [Designation of Intelligence Officials Authorized to Request FBI Collection of Foreign Intelligence]
- NSDD 23 [US Civil Defense Policy]
- NSDD 24 [Mission to Certain European Countries Concerning Oil and Gas Equipment Exports to the Soviet Union and Restricting Credits to the Soviet Bloc Countries]
- NSDD 25 [Preparations for the Economic and NATO Summits June 1982]
- NSDD 26 [US Civil Defense Policy]
- NSDD 27 [Economic Decisions for Libya]
- NSDD 28 [FY 1983-1987 Nuclear Weapons Stockpile]
- NSDD 29 [The Future Political Status of Micronesia: Nuclear Claims]
- NSDD 30 [Managing Terrorist Incidents]
- NSDD 31 [Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions (MBFR)]
- NSDD 32 [U.S. National Security Strategy]
- NSDD 33 [U.S. Approach to START Negotiations]
- NSDD 34 [South Atlantic Crisis]
- NSDD 35 [The M-X Program]
- NSDD 36 [U.S. Approach to START Negotiations - II]
- NSDD 37 [Cuba and Central America]
- NSDD 37A [National Security Decisions Directive on Cuba an Central America]
- NSDD 38 [Staffing at Diplomatic Missions and Their Constituent Posts]
- NSDD 39 [United States Policy on Foreign Reprocessing and Use of Plutonium Subject to U.S. Control]
- NSDD 40 [The Future Political Status of Micronesia: Nuclear Claims]
- NSDD 41 [12/30/1981 Sanctions on Oil and Gas Equipment Exports to the Soviet Union]
- NSDD 42 [National Space Policy]
- NSDD 43 [United States Law of the Sea Policy]
- NSDD 44 [U.S. Approach to START Negotiations - III]
- NSDD 45 [United States International Broadcasting]
- NSDD 47 [Emergency Mobilization Preparedness]
- NSDD 48 [International Economic Policy]
- NSDD 49 [Standing Consultative Commission (U.S.-USSR)]
- NSDD 50 [Space Assistance and Cooperation Policy]
- NSDD 51 [U.S. Nuclear Testing Limitations Policy]
- NSDD 52 [The Future Political Status of Micronesia - Palau]
- NSDD 53 [U.S. Approach to START Negotiations - IV]
- NSDD 54 [United States Policy toward Eastern Europe]
- NSDD 56 [Private INF Exchange]
- NSDD 57 [United States Policy toward the Horn of Africa]
- NSDD 58 [United States Oceans Policy and Law of the Sea]
- NSDD 59 [Cuba and Central America]
- NSDD 60 [Preparations for the 1983 Summit (G-7, Williamsburg, VA)]
- NSDD 62 [United States-Japan Relations]
- NSDD 63 10/28/1982 [Basis for Negotiation of Nuclear Test Verification Measures]
- NSDD 64 [Next Steps in Lebanon]
- NSDD 65 [Establishment of National Security Council Arms Control Verification Committee]
- NSDD 66 [East-West Economic Relations and Poland-Related Sanctions]
- NSDD 67 11/18/1982 [Nuclear Weapons Deployment Authorization for FY 1983 and FY 1984]
- NSDD 68 [FY 1983-1988 Nuclear Weapons Stockpile]
- NSDD 69 [The M-X Program]
- NSDD 70 [Nuclear Capable Missile Technology Transfer Policy]
- NSDD 71 U.S. Policy Toward Latin America in the wake of the Falklands Crisis
- NSDD 72 [United States Program for the Exercise of Navigation and Overflight Rights at Sea]
- NSDD 73 [The Peacekeeper Program Assessment] (in Research Room only)
- NSDD 74 [Visit to the United States of Prime Minister Nakasone]
- NSDD 75 [U.S. Relations with the USSR]
- NSDD 76 [Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation with China]
- NSDD 77 01/14/1983 [Management of Public Diplomacy Relative to National Security]
- NSDD 78 [U.S. Approach to START Negotiations - V]
- NSDD 79 [U.S. Chemical Weapons Arms Control Policy]
- NSDD 80 [Shuttle Orbiter Production Capacity]
- NSDD 81 02/07/1983 [Negotiation of Improved Nuclear Test Verification Measures]
- NSDD 82 [U.S. Policy Initiatives to Improve Prospects for El Salvador]
- NSDD 83 [United States Oceans Policy, Law of the Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone]
- NSDD 84 [Safeguarding National Security Information]
- NSDD 85 [Eliminating the Threat from Ballistic Missiles]
- NSDD 86 [U.S. Approach to INF Negotiations]
- NSDD 87 [Comprehensive US Energy Security Policy]
- NSDD 88 03/30/1983 [Base Negotiations Policy]
- NSDD 89 [The Export Administration Bill]
- NSDD 90 04/14/1983 [United States Arctic Policy]
- NSDD 91 04/19/1983 [Strategic Forces Modernization Program Changes]
- NSDD 92 [Accelerating Withdrawal of Foreign Forces from Lebanon]
- NSDD 93 [Refugee Policy and Processing Refugees from Indochina]
- NSDD 94 [Commercialization of Expendable Launch Vehicles]
- NSDD 95 [Crisis Information and Management System (CIMS): Project Medusa]
- NSDD 96 [US Approach to International Debt Problem]
- NSDD 97 [National Security Telecommunications Policy]
- NSDD 98 [U.S. Approach to START Negotiations - VI]
- NSDD 99 [United States Security Strategy for the Near East and South Asia]
- NSDD 100 [Enhanced U.S. Military Activity and Assistance for the Central American Region]
- NSDD 101 [United States Strategy toward Liberia]
- NSDD 102 [U.S. Responses to Soviet Destruction of KAL Airliner]
- NSDD 103 [Strategy for Lebanon]
- NSDD 104 [U.S. Approach to INF Negotiations - II]
- NSDD 105 [Eastern Caribbean Regional Security]
- NSDD 106 [U.S. Approach to START Negotiations - VII]
- NSDD 107 [Foreign Aircraft Overflight Security Program]
- NSDD 108 [Soviet Camouflage, Concealment and Deception]
- NSDD 109 [Responding to the Lebanon Crisis]
- NSDD 110 [Grenada: Contingency Planning]
- NSDD 110A [Response to Caribbean Governments’ Request to Restore Democracy in Grenada
- NSDD 111 [Next Steps Toward Progress in Lebanon and the Middle East]
- NSDD 112 [Processing and Disposition of Documents Acquired by US Forces in Grenada]
- NSDD 113 11/17/1983 Security of Communications Systems used by Key Government Officials
- NSDD 114 [U.S. Policy toward Iran-Iraq War]
- NSDD 115 [Visit of Prime Minister Shamir]
- NSDD 116 [Strategic Defense Initiative: Congressional and Allied Consultation]
- NSDD 117 [Lebanon]
- NSDD 118 [Preparations for the 1984 Economic Summit]
- NSDD 119 [Strategic Defense Initiative]
- NSDD 120 [Visit to the United States of Premier Zhao Ziyang]
- NSDD 121 [Soviet Noncompliance with Arms Control Agreements]
- NSDD 122 [MBFR (Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions)]
- NSDD 123 [Next Steps in Lebanon]
- NSDD 124 [Central America: Promoting Democracy, Economic Improvement, and Peace]
- NSDD 125 [FY 1984-1989 Nuclear Weapons Stockpile]
- NSDD 126 02/20/1984 [Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions]
- NSDD 127 02/23/1984 Nuclear Weapons Master Plan - Phase III]
- NSDD 128 [Lebanon]
- NSDD 130 [US International Information Policy]
- NSDD 131 [United States Goals and Objectives for the 1984 Economic Summit]
- NSDD 132 [Disposition of Presidential Directives]
- NSDD 133 [United States Policy toward Yugoslavia]
- NSDD 134 03/27/1984 [US International Energy Policy Goals and Objectives]
- NSDD 135 [Los Angeles Olympic Games Counterintelligence and Security Precautions]
- NSDD 136 [US Initiative to Ban Chemical Weapons]
- NSDD 137 03/31/1984 [US Nuclear Arms Control Strategy for 1984]
- NSDD 138 [Combating Terrorism]
- NSDD 139 [Measures to Improve U.S. Posture and Readiness to Respond to Developments in the Iran-Iraq War]
- NSDD 140 [The President’s Visit to the People’s Republic of China]
- NSDD 141 [Responding to Escalation in the Iran-Iraq War]
- NSDD 142 [Arms Limitation Talks, September 1984]
- NSDD 143 [U.S. Third World Hunger Relief: Emergency Assistance]
- NSDD 145 [National Policy on Telecommunications and Automated Information Systems Security]
- NSDD 146 [The FY 1985 GRENADIER Nuclear Test Program]
- NSDD 147 [U.S. Policy Toward India and Pakistan]
- NSDD 148 [The U.S. Umbrella Talks Proposal]
- NSDD 150 [The Annual Report on Nuclear Weapons Surety]
- NSDD 151 [Preparatory Process for the Visit of Prime Minister Nakasone and the U.S. - Japan Follow-Up Effort]
- NSDD 152 [Preparations for the 1985 Economic Summit]
- NSDD 153 [Shultz-Gromyko Meeting in Geneva, 01/01/1985]
- NSDD 154 [US-Japan trade Policy Relations]
- NSDD 155 01/04/1985 [US-Soviet Economic and Commercial Relations]
- NSDD 156 ["Food for Progress"]
- NSDD 158 [United States Policy in Southeast Asia (The Kampuchea Problem)]
- NSDD 159 [Covert Action Policy Approval and Coordination Procedures] There is no Executive Secretariat, NSDDs collection folder for this NSDD
- NSDD 160 [Preparing for Negotiations with the Soviet Union]
- NSDD 161 [Soviet Noncompliance with Arms Control Agreements]
- NSDD 162 [FY 1985-1990 Nuclear Weapons Stockpile]
- NSDD 163 [United States Policy toward the Philippines]
- NSDD 164 [National Security Launch Strategy]
- NSDD 165 [Instructions for the First Round of US/Soviet Negotiations in Geneva]
- NSDD 166 [US Policy, Programs, and Strategy in Afghanistan] There is no Executive Secretariat, NSDDs collection folder for this NSDD
- NSDD 167 [Food for Progress Program Implementation]
- NSDD 168 [U.S. Policy toward North Africa]
- NSDD 169 05/17/1985 [US-USSR Joint Commercial Commission Meetings]
- NSDD 170 [Radio Marti]
- NSDD 171 [Deployment of Non-Enhanced Radiation W79 8-Inch Warheads]
- NSDD 172 [Presenting the Strategic Defense Initiative]
- NSDD 173 [Building an Interim Framework for Mutual Restraint]
- NSDD 174 [U.S. National Defense Stockpile Goals, Mobilization Planning Factors and Implementation Measures]
- NSDD 175 [Establishment of a Blue Ribbon Commission on Defense Management]
- NSDD 176 [Combating Terrorism in Central America] There is no Executive Secretariat, NSDDs collection folder for this NSDD
- NSDD 178 07/10/1985 [Strategic Forces Modernization]
- NSDD 179 [Task Force on Combating Terrorism]
- NSDD 180 [Civil Aviation Anti-Terrorism Program]
- NSDD 181 [Shuttle Pricing for Foreign and Commercial Users]
- NSDD 183 [Meeting with Soviet Leader in Geneva]
- NSDD 184 [Changes in Authorized Nuclear Deployments, Atomic Demolition Munitions (ADM) And Nike-Hercules (NH)
- NSDD 185 [Private Sector Cooperation in the Pacific Basin]
- NSDD 186 [Installation and Operation of the Direct Communications Link (DCL)/"Hotline" Between Washington and Moscow]
- NSDD 187 [United States Policy toward South Africa]
- NSDD 188 [Government Coordination for National Security Emergency Preparedness]
- NSDD 189 [National Policy on the Transfer of Scientific, Technical and Engineering Information]
- NSDD 190 [The FY 1986 CHARIOTEER Nuclear Test Program]
- NSDD 192 [The ABM Treaty and the SDI Program]
- NSDD 193 [U.S. Policy on the New Zealand Port Access Issue]
- NSDD 194 [Meeting with Soviet Leader in Geneva: Themes and Perceptions]
- NSDD 195 [The U.S. Position: Nuclear and Space Talks]
- NSDD 196 [Counterintelligence/Countermeasure Implementation Task Force]
- NSDD 197 [Reporting Hostile Contacts and Security Awareness] There is no Executive Secretariat, NSDDs collection folder for this NSDD
- NSDD 198 [Preparations for the 1986 Economic Summit]
- NSDD 199 [Review by PFIAB of Implications of Yurchenko Defection and Related Espionage Cases]
- NSDD 200 [U.S. Port Security Program]
- NSDD 201 [National Security Emergency Preparedness (NSEP) Telecommunications Funding]
- NSDD 202 [Soviet Noncompliance with Arms Control Agreements]
- NSDD 203 [Nuclear Testing Limitation: Responding to the Soviet Proposal of December 5]
- NSDD 204 [Transfer of National Intelligence Collection Tasking Authority]
- NSDD 205 01/18/1986 [Acting Against Libyan Support of International Terrorism]
- NSDD 206 [Instructions for the Fourth Round of the US/Soviet Negotiations in Geneva]
- NSDD 207 [The National Program for Combating Terrorism] There is no Executive Secretariat, NSDDs collection folder for this NSDD
- NSDD 208 [United States Policy toward the Southwest Indian Ocean]
- NSDD 209 [Implementing Decisions of the Geneva Summit]
- NSDD 210 [Allied Consultations on the US Response to General Secretary Gorbachev’s 01/14/1986, Arms Control Proposal]
- NSDD 212 [United States Policy toward Angola]
- NSDD 213 [U.S. Policy toward Malta]
- NSDD 214 [U.S. Response to Gorbachev’s January Arms Control Proposals]
- NSDD 215 [Philippines]
- NSDD 216 [FY 1986-1991 Nuclear Weapons Stockpile]
- NSDD 219 [Implementation of the Recommendations of the President’s Commission on Defense Management]
- NSDD 220 [Haiti]
- NSDD 221 04/08/1986 [Narcotics and National Security]
- NSDD 222 [Consultations on U.S. Interim Restraint Policy]
- NSDD 223 [Implementing the Geneva Exchanges Initiative]
- NSDD 224 [Counter-Terrorist Operations Against Libya]
- NSDD 225 [Central America: U.S. Policy on the Search for a Negotiated Solution]
- NSDD 226 [Machine Tools and National Security]
- NSDD 227 [U.S. Interim Restraint Policy]
- NSDD 229 [U.S./Australian Relations: Policy for the Official Working Visit to the United States of Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, 04/17/1986]
- NSDD 230 [The Annual Report on Nuclear Weapons Surety]
- NSDD 232 [Preparations for the Next NST Negotiating Round] There is no Executive Secretariat, NSDDs collection folder for this NSDD
- NSDD 233 [Consultations on a Response to General Secretary Gorbachev] There is no Executive Secretariat, NSDDs collection folder for this NSDD
- NSDD 234 (Not in Box) [Libya Policy]
- NSDD 235 [Strengthening U.S. Policy toward Cuba] There is no Executive Secretariat, NSDDs collection folder for this NSDD
- NSDD 236 [Interim Restraint Policy] There is no Executive Secretariat, NSDDs collection folder for this NSDD
- NSDD 238 [Revised National Security Strategy]
- NSDD 240 [Instructions for NST Round VI]
- NSDD 241 [Preparations for the 1987 Economic Summit]
- NSDD 242 [The FY 1987 MUSKETEER Nuclear Test Program]
- NSDD 243 [Standing Consultative Commission]
- NSDD 244 [Meetings with General Secretary Gorbachev]
- NSDD 245 [Reagan-Gorbachev Preparatory Meeting]
- NSDD 246 [The Political Status of Micronesia]
- NSDD 247 [Ratification of Existing Treaties Limiting Nuclear Testing]
- NSDD 248 [Central America] There is no Executive Secretariat, NSDDs collection folder for this NSDD
- NSDD 249 [Additional Instructions for the Current NST Negotiating Round]
- NSDD 250 [Post-Reykjavik Follow-Up]
- NSDD 251 [Arms Control Discussions]
- NSDD 252 [ICBM Modernization]
- NSDD 254 [United States Space Launch Strategy]
- NSDD 255 [FY 1987-1992 Nuclear Weapons Stockpile]
- NSDD 256 [Instructions for the Seventh NST Round]
- NSDD 257 [Guidance to the U.S. Delegation for Negotiations with Western Europe, Japan and Canada on the Space Station]
- NSDD 258 [Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Program]
- NSDD 259 [U.S. Civil Defense]
- NSDD 260 [Soviet Noncompliance with Arms Control Agreements]
- NSDD 261 02/18/1987 [Consultations on the SDI Program]
- NSDD 263 [Revision to NSDD 248 re Central America]
- NSDD 264 [Central America]
- NSDD 265 [Freedom of Navigation Program (FON)]
- NSDD 266 Implementation of the Recommendations of the President’s Special Review Board] There is no Executive Secretariat, NSDDs collection folder for this NSDD
- NSDD 267 [Review of U.S. Arms Reductions Negotiating Positions] There is no Executive Secretariat, NSDDs collection folder for this NSDD
- NSDD 268 [PFIAB Worldwide Evaluation of the Procedures and Practices by which our Foreign Missions Protect Classified Information and Facilities]
- NSDD 269 [Nuclear Weapons Deployment Authorization for FY 1987 and FY 1988]
- NSDD 270 [Afghanistan]
- NSDD 271 [Instructions for the Eighth NST Negotiating Round]
- NSDD 272 [United States Objectives in Southern Africa]
- NSDD 273 [United States Policy toward South Africa]
- NSDD 274 [United States Policy toward Angola]
- NSDD 276 [National Security Council Interagency Process]
- NSDD 277 [National Policy and Strategy for Low Intensity Conflict]
- NSDD 278 [Establishing a U.S. Negotiating Position on SRINF Missiles]
- NSDD 279 [The Annual Report on Nuclear Weapons Surety]
- NSDD 280 [National Airlift Policy]
- NSDD 281 [United States Nuclear Weapons Command and Control]
- NSDD 282 [Continuing Authority to Deliver Nuclear Materials and to Acquire Utilization Facilities]
- NSDD 283 [The FY 1988 TOUCHSTONE Nuclear Test Program]
- NSDD 284 [U.S. Military Capabilities in Support of NATO]
- NSDD 286 [re: Covert Operations]
- NSDD 287 [Organizing for the Summit with General Secretary Gorbachev
- NSDD 288 [My Objectives at the Summit]
- NSDD 289 [U.S. Policy toward Malta]
- NSDD 290 [Instructions for the Arms Reductions Discussions at the Washington Summit (12/08/1987-12/10/1987)]
- NSDD 291 [U.S. Policy toward Mexico]
- NSDD 292 [Organizing for the INF Ratification Effort]
- NSDD 295 [Instructions for the Ninth NST Negotiating Round]
- NSDD 297 [Preparations for the 1988 Economic Summit]
- NSDD 298 [National Operations Security Program]
- NSDD 299 [Restoring Normal Immigration Procedures for Cuban Nationals]
- NSDD 300 [U.S. Policy toward Mexico]
- NSDD 301 [Establishment and Operation of the United States Nuclear Risk Reduction Center]
- NSDD 302 [United States Policy on Special Nuclear Material]
- NSDD 304 [Organizing for the Moscow Summit]
- NSDD 305 [Objectives at the Moscow Summit]
- NSDD 306 [National Coordination of Emergency Relocation Sites]
- NSDD 307 [Review of United States Arms Reduction Positions in Preparation for the Moscow Summit]
- NSDD 308 [FY1988-1991 Nuclear Weapons Stockpile]
- NSDD 309 [Nuclear Weapons Safety, Security, and Control]
- NSDD 310 [Instructions for the Tenth NST Negotiating Round]
- NSDD 311 [US-Soviet Defense and Military Relations]
- NSDD 313 [ABM Treaty Review: U.S. Delegation Instructions]
- NSDD 314 The National Security Information and Situation Management System
- NSDD 315 Strenthening U.S. Efforts to Limit Global Missile Proliferations
- NSDD 316 [The FY 1989 Cornerstone Nuclear Test Program]
- NSDD 317 [Amendment to Nuclear Weapons Deployment Authorization for FY 1988 and FY 1989]
- NSDD 318 [Nuclear and Space Talks: Additional Elements of the U.S. Position]
- NSDD 319 [United State Policy toward Indochina]
- NSDD 320 [National Policy on Strategic Trade Controls]
- NSDD 321 [Disposition of National Security Decision Directives]
- NSDD 322 [U.S. Interests and Policy in Chad]
- NSDD 323 [Disposition of Pre-Reagan Policy Papers]
- NSDD 324 [Special Verification Commission]
- NSDD 325 [FY 1989-1994 Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Plan]