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
Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs R. Clarke Cooper On His Recent Travel to Greece, the Republic of Cyprus, and Bulgaria
I just recently returned from my first overseas trip since the onset of the pandemic and those restrictions, making that work, following those protocols. And so I’ll offer a really quick tour d’horizon on my travels and conversations with our security partners Greece, the Republic of Cyprus, and Bulgaria.
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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