| | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080917143002im_/http://www.state.gov/images/clearpixel.gif) Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Sign up for Arms Control and International Security email updates.
The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM), led by Assistant Secretary Mark Kimmitt, 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.
PM's activities are central to four of the Department of State's strategic goals:
- Achieving Peace and Security: PM plays a key role in achieving peace and security around the world by:
- managing and regulating defense trade and arms transfers to reinforce the military capabilities of friends, allies, and coalition partners, and to ensure that the transfer of U.S.-origin defense equipment and technology supports U.S. national security interests;
- promoting regional security through bilateral and multilateral cooperation and dialogue, as well as through the provision of security assistance to friendly countries and international peacekeeping efforts;
- providing diplomatic support to U.S. military operations, including the negotiation of status of forces, defense cooperation, base access, cost-sharing, and Article 98/ICC non-surrender agreements;
- countering the destructive effects of conventional weapons by clearing landmines and reducing the availability of at-risk small arms and light weapons to include man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS); and
- countering terrorism and responding to crises by managing and sustaining coalitions, working with the Department of Defense on strategic and contingency planning to include counterinsurgency policy, and reinforcing the capabilities of friends and allies to respond to respond to humanitarian and natural disaster.
- Governing Justly and Democratically: PM promotes American values of democracy, respect for human rights, and civilian control of military forces by funding training that exposes the armed forces and civilian personnel of other countries to these values and to the professionalism of the U.S. military.
- Providing Humanitarian Assistance: PM manages humanitarian mine action programs around the world, promotes public-private mine action partnerships, and works with the Defense Department to provide assistance in the event of natural disasters and other crises abroad.
- Strengthening Consular and Management Capabilities: PM continues to develop, refine, and maintain information technologies that support defense trade and diplomatic support for U.S. military operations.
| | Highlights | Cluster Munitions
The new United States policy on cluster munitions, which carefully balances humanitarian and legitimate military considerations. Full Text | More
State Department Supports Rotary Club Project to Assist Amputees in Basra, Iraq
The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs has awarded $1.5 million to the Rotary Club’s “Basra, Iraq Prosthetics Project.” Full Text
Arms Export Control Act and International Traffic in Arms Regulations
Lockheed Martin Corporation settles charges involving the Arms Export Control Act and International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Full Text
Conventional Weapons Destruction and Landmine Clearance in Somalia
$1.4 million conventional weapons destruction program launched, that will include the clearance of landmines and explosive remnants of war throughout heavily affected areas of northern Somalia. Full Text
DANGEROUS DEPOTS: The Growing Humanitarian Problem Posed by Ageing and Poorly Maintained Munitions Storage Sites Around the World
O n March 15, 2008, a series of massive and deadly explosions ripped through an Albanian government munitions depot in the village of Gerdec near Tirana. Full Text
MANPADS: Combating the Threat to Global Aviation from Man-Portable Air Defense Systems
Countering the proliferation of Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) is a top national security priority of the United States. Full Text
Regional Seminar on MANPADS
Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Jr, Special Envoy for MANPADS Threat Reduction, delivered remarks at regional seminar on MANPADS hosted by the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA). Full Text | More
To Walk the Earth in Safety
Seventh Edition of “To Walk the Earth in Safety” shows United States progress in clearing landmines and destroying conventional weapons. Media Note | Report
Safe Passage Newsletter
A newsletter for the Humanitarian Mine Action and Small Arms/Light Weapons communities, May 2008. Full Text |
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