The main purpose of FMSO is to conduct analysis relating to foreign military and security studies based upon open source research.
FMSO's publications are available on its web site, and its researchers publish in many professional military and academic journals, where their products can be assessed in the market place of ideas.
Originally created by LTG William Richardson, TRADOC Commander, as the Soviet Army Studies Office in 1986, SASO's first director was Dr. Bruce Menning.
Colonel David Glantz, a well-known author on the Soviet military experience in the Second World War, became its second director.
With the end of the Cold War SASO became FMSO in 1991 and its focus initially broadened to Central and Eastern Europe.