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Home » Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security » Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN) » Our Offices » Office of Strategic Communications and Outreach (SCO)

For Press Inquiries:

• U.S. Press: Sandy Postell, 202-736-4879, PostellSR@state.gov
• Foreign Press : Mahvash Siddiqui, 202-647-5320, SiddiquiM@state.gov

The Office of Strategic Communication and Outreach (ISN/SCO) has the following portfolio:

Public Affairs, Public Diplomacy, and Press Relations on ISN issues: Working closely with the Bureau of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs and all other offices in the ISN Bureau, the Office of Strategic Communication (ISN/SCO):

• Coordinates bureau responses to press inquiries and requests for interviews,
• Prepares public statements for senior officials,
• Organizes events and conferences to inform the public,
• Assists missions informing foreign publics about ISN topics,
• Maintains relations with NGOs working on ISN issues.

Congressional Relations: Officers are also responsible for coordinating all congressional activities for the ISN bureau including responding to requests for information from Congress, organizing staff and member briefings on ISN issues, and monitoring congressional action on ISN issues.

Bureau Performance Plan and Budget: Officers are responsible for drafting and coordinating the ISN bureau BPP submission as well as other budget documents and justifications. Key functions include: 1) making recommendations to the A/S on the organizational structure of ISN and its ability to meet objectives and produce desired results; and 2) directing resource priorities to ensure achievement of operational goals and efficient stewardship of financial resources.

Director: Margo Squire, 202-647-5824, SquireMH@state.gov

Deputy Director: Gonzalo Suarez, 202-647-4651, SuarezGO@state.gov