National Security Decision Directive 119: Strategic Defense Initiative   [open pdf - 92KB]

Alternate Title: NSDD 119: Strategic Defense Initiative

National Security Decision Directive 119 provides guidance on the United States strategic defense initiative: "Given the uncertain long-term future of offensive deterrence, I believe that an effort must also be made to identify alternative means of deterring nuclear war and protecting our national security interests. In particular, the U.S. should investigate the feasibility of eventually shifting toward reliance upon a defensive concept. Future deterrence should, if possible be underwritten by a capability to defeat a hostile attack."