Our Mission
The Bureau of the Political-Military Affairs (PM) builds enduring security partnerships to advance U.S. national security objectives. The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs is the Department of State's principal link to the Department of Defense. The PM Bureau provides policy direction in the areas of international security, security assistance, military operations, defense strategy and plans, and defense trade.
The Latest
Press Briefing With Assistant Secretary Clarke Cooper, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
As Assistant Secretary of Political-Military Affairs I have the portfolio, the global portfolio of security assistance and foreign military sales. So from a very general sense what that means is we actually are the primary lead for the United States government on acquisition and sustainment when it comes to military equipment, military sales for our partners, to enable their own sovereignty as well as play their regional roles in their security.
Read MorePolicy Issues
- Implementing the U.S. Conventional Arms Transfer Policy
- Export Policy for Unmanned Aerial Systems
- Proposed Rules for Oversight of Firearms Exports
Implementing the U.S. Conventional Arms Transfer Policy
In line with the U.S. National Security Strategy, the Secretary of State has submitted the Implementation Plan requested as part of the Conventional Arms Transfer Policy (NSPM-10). These documents lay out a whole-of-government strategy to better align our conventional arms transfers with our national security and economic interests.
Learn More About U.S. Conventional Arms Transfer Policy Implementing the U.S. Conventional Arms Transfer PolicyExport Policy for Unmanned Aerial Systems
New policy promotes U.S. values and international standards, while also ensuring that U.S. industry has fair and competitive access to the global marketplace.
Learn More About the Unmanned Aerial Systems Export Policy Export Policy for Unmanned Aerial SystemsProposed Rules for Oversight of Firearms Exports
The proposed rules are part of an ongoing effort to modernize the U.S. export control regulations to create a simpler, more robust system that eases industry compliance, improves enforceability, and better protects America’s most sensitive technologies.
Learn More About the Rules for Oversight of Firearms Exports Proposal Proposed Rules for Oversight of Firearms ExportsOffices of the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
- Directorate of Defense Trade Controls
- Office of Congressional and Public Affairs
- Office of Global Programs and Initiatives
- Office of Regional Security and Arms Transfers
- Office of Security Assistance
- Office of Security Negotiations and Agreements
- Office of State-Defense Integration
- Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement