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Title: Richard B. Foster papers
Date (inclusive): 1955-1999
Collection Number: 2004C41
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
87 manuscript boxes
(34.8 Linear Feet)
Abstract: The Richard B. Foster papers document the work of a leading American national security analyst in the Cold War period. In
a career spanning three decades, Foster specialized in strategic forecasting, attempting to predict future military and political
developments on the basis of existing trends. He conducted research and wrote about many aspects of American defense policy,
especially in relation to the possibility of nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union. As the director of
the Strategic Studies Center at SRI International (formerly Stanford Research Institute), Foster wrote or collaborated on
numerous reports that addressed a wide range of national security issues, including military strategy, ballistic missile defense,
arms control, and telecommunications. These reports comprise the largest part of the Foster collection. In addition, the collection
contains a number of articles Foster wrote for various journals, as well as drafts of his unpublished study of the history
of American strategic doctrine.
Creator:
Foster, Richard B.
Creator:
SRI International
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual
or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 2004.
[Identification of item], Richard B. Foster papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
| 1916 | Born, Springfield, Washington |
| 1938 | Awarded bachelor's degree, University of California at Berkeley |
| 1954 | Joined Stanford Research Institute (later SRI International) as manager of Air Defense Evaluation Program |
| 1965-1984 | Director, Strategic Studies Center, SRI International |
| 1978 | Founding editor, Comparative Strategy |
| 1980s | Taught courses on strategy at Georgetown University and Catholic University of America |
| 1999 | Died |
Scope and Content of Collection
The Richard B. Foster papers document the work of a leading American national security analyst in the Cold War period. In
a career spanning three decades, Foster specialized in strategic forecasting, attempting to predict future military and political
developments on the basis of existing trends. He conducted research and wrote about many aspects of American defense policy,
especially in relation to the possibility of nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union. As the director of
the Strategic Studies Center at SRI International (formerly Stanford Research Institute), Foster wrote or collaborated on
numerous reports that addressed a wide range of national security issues, including military strategy, ballistic missile defense,
arms control, and telecommunications. These reports comprise the largest part of the Foster collection. In addition, the collection
contains a number of articles Foster wrote for various journals, as well as drafts of his unpublished study of the history
of American strategic doctrine.
The SRI reports dealing with nuclear warfare include speculation as to how such a conflict might unfold, presenting various
scenarios of destruction and possible recovery from a nuclear exchange. Other reports in the collection focus on the military
power of the Soviet Union and what Foster and other SRI analysts perceived to be Soviet attempts to achieve strategic superiority
vis-a-vis the United States. There are also analyses of various issues pertaining to American diplomacy, including relations
with China and Europe. These include a number of studies authored by Foster that assess the implications of changes in American
foreign policy during the Nixon administration.
The collection also contains copies of lectures given by Foster at Georgetown University and the Catholic University of America,
as well as some correspondence and memoranda pertaining to Foster's work at SRI International. There are also materials relating
to Foster's service on the board of directors of Freedom House, including reports on various human rights issues. The printed
matter in the collection is largely concerned with military policy and diplomatic history.
Materials that are listed under the same headings in the finding aid are sometimes located in more than one range of boxes
within the collection. Stanford Research Institute and SRI International reports are found in boxes 1-39 and boxes 64-79.
Speeches and writings are in boxes 40-54 and boxes 80-82. Printed matter is located in boxes 60-64 and boxes 84-86.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Nuclear weapons
Arms control
Telecommunication
United States -- Military policy
United States -- Defenses
Strategy
Ballistic missile defenses