U.S. POLICY TOWARD THE PERSIAN GULF

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-153-3-25-1
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: July 20, 2010
• Sequence Number: 25
• Publication Date: February 13, 1976
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/07/20 :
LOC-HAK-153-3-25-1
NSSM 238 directs study of US security
policy toward the Persian.Gulf.
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/07/20
LOC-HAK-153-3-25-1
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/07/20: LOC-HAK-153-3-25-1
597
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20506
SECRET - GDS
February 13, 1976
National. Security Study Memorandum 238
TO: THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
THE DIRECTOR, ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT
AGENCY
SUBJECT: U. S. Policy Toward the Persian Gulf
The President has directed a study of U.S. security policy toward the
Persian Gulf area. The purpose of this study will be to examine U.S.
political and strategic goals in the area and develop policy alternatives
for the near and medium term, with particular emphasis on Iran,
Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Beginning with an overview of.U. S.-..p,oiicy.and ,the . evolution, of the U. S.
role in the Persian Gulf since 1969, the study should provide a com-
prehensive assessment of the key factors likely to influence the nature
of our policy toward the region as a whole and key individual states
over the next ten years. This analysis should include, inter alia,
discussion of the following:
1. The strategic, economic and political importance to the United
States of the area and key individual countries over the next
ten years, including the importance of oil, financial resources,
and the need for access to bases and installations.
2. The prospects for stability and moderation in key Persian Gulf
nations, including the political impact of foreign manpower
imports and rapid modernization, the effect of intra-area
differences, the prospect for intra-area cooperation in main-
taining Gulf security, and the effect of Soviet influence.
SECRET - GDS
Subject to GDS of E.O. 11652
Automatically Downgraded at Two
Year Intervals and Declassified on
December 31, 1984.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/07/20: LOC-HAK-153-3-25-1
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/07/20 : LOC-HAK-153-3-25-1
SECRET - GDS
The potential economic and political influence in the area of
outside powers (Western Europe/Japan and the USSR) and the
possibilities of their replacing the U.S. to a significant degree
in various areas of activity or individual countries.
4. The liabilities and benefits to the U. S. of U. S. arms policy,
in the Persian Gulf in the short and long term, including the
strain on the economies and social structures of key states
by large arms acquisitions and related U.S. presence, the
impact on our own defense establishment, the changing
attitude of Congress to-ward arms sales and military training,
and the effect on the attitudes of key Persian Gulf countries
toward the U. S.
Drawing on the foregoing analysis, the study should develop policy
options for the U. S. in the Persian Gulf area with respect to U. S.
objectives in the following areas:
? Arms supply and training.
Bases,and installations.
? Technology transfer and co-production.
? Economic policies.
? Regional relationships.
? Procedures for better implementation of existing and future
policies within the United States Government.
The study should be undertaken by the Interdepartmental Political-
Military Group. The study should be submitted for consideration by
the Senior Review Group no later than March 15, 1976.
.v. ~dWW
Brent Scowcro
cc: The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
SECRET GDS
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/07/20: LOC-HAK-153-3-25-1