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    "label": "NSDD 238 Basic National Security Strategy",
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    "contentType": "document",
    "title": "NSDD 238 Basic National Security Strategy",
    "citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6879819",
    "collections": [
        "Numbered National Security Policy Papers",
        "National Security Decision Directives (NSDDs)"
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            "month": 9,
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    "seq": 7,
    "pageIndex": 0,
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    "ocrText": "TOP SECRET\n12\nmutual defense. The source of economic growth is individual\ncreativity expressed through the marketplace. The U.S. seeks\nto foster an environment in which growth can occur through\ndomestic economic policies that minimize government\ninterference in markets, by ensuring stable exchange rates\nthrough international cooperation, and by negotiating the\nelimination of barriers to trade and investment flows. The U.S.\nalso must encourage cooperation among its Allies in preventing\nthe transfer to Soviet bloc and other countries of goods and\ntechnologies that are critical to the military balance. te)\nIn peacetime, we will seek to deter military attack against\nthe U.S. and its forces, allies and friends; to contain and\nreverse the expansion of Soviet influence worldwide; to isolate\nradical regimes hostile to U.S. interests; and promote regional\nstability and the capabilities of allies and friends for\nself-defense. In drawing upon the cooperation of allies and\nothers to support and protect our mutual interests, the growth\nof Soviet power projection capabilities and indigenous regional\nthreats require stronger and more effective collective defense\narrangements between the U.S and its allies. We will continue\nto consider the status of these arrangements in military planning\nconcerning the size, composition, and disposition of U.S. forces.\n(C)\nWestern Hemisphere\nThe defense of North America is our primary security\nconcern. In this context the U.S. must continue to\nbuild on interests shared with Canada. We must modernize\nthe strategic air defense system for North America, to\ninclude development of true strategic defenses against\nboth ballistic missiles, through the SDI, and against\nair-breathing threats. In Central America we must reverse\nthe success of the Soviet bloc in developing Nicaragua into\na hostile base on the American mainland. In El Salvador we\nwill support the government's effort to defeat an insurgency\nwhich poses the threat of another Soviet client state. The\nU.S. must also continue to promote the Caribbean Basin\nInitiative and the trend towards democracy throughout the\nCaribbean and Latin America. We must achieve greater\ncooperation from Mexico and other governments in the region\nto establish effective control over our southern borders,\nand to reduce the threat to friendly governments and to our\nown well-being from the trafficking of illicit drugs. The\nU.S. must strengthen lilitary-to-military contacts and\nfurther develop the capabilities of Caribbean and Central\nAmerican countries, and their mutual cooperation, for\nterritorial defense. And we will seek to maintain and\nacquire as necessary base and facilities access, logistical\nsupport, and operating, transit, and overflight rights which\nwould support U.S. military objectives in crisis or war. TST\nTOP SECRET"
}