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
Briefing With Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs R. Clarke Cooper On New Developments in the U.S. Defense Trade
This policy modernizes our approach to implementing our MTCR commitments. It makes it more reflective of the technological realities. It helps our allies, it helps our partners, all meet their urgent national security and commercial requirements, and it also advances the United States’s national security and economic interests.
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August 20, 2020
Update on U.S. Security Cooperation and Defense Trade
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August 11, 2020
IG Confirms Emergency Arms Sales “Properly Executed”
Policy 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