Office of Chemical and Biological Weapons Threat Reduction (ISN/CB)

MISSION STATEMENT

This office was formed by merging the AC Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions Office (AC/CB) with part of the NP Chemical, Biological, and Missile Nonproliferation Office (NP/CBM). Its role is to take the lead in implementing efforts to impede and roll back the threat of biological and chemical weapons and to dissuade and impede states and entities from pursuing, using and/or proliferating these weapons and related equipment and technology. It will have lead responsibility for bilateral and multilateral efforts to implement and strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). In doing so, it will provide direct support to the U.S. Mission to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. It will chair the SHIELD CBW Interdiction and Licensing working group and will provide support as needed to the Sanctions Coordinator in the ISN Front Office, as well as ISN/CPI, in order to help ensure the successful coordination of sanctions policy and its effective coordination with overall counterproliferation efforts. This office also will oversee the U.S. National Authority for implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. It will have lead responsibility for implementing and developing multilateral and unilateral CBW export control policies, including within the Australia Group. This office also will provide support and technical expertise, as needed, to the ISN/CPI and WMDT offices. Furthermore, this office will coordinate closely with White House offices and other agencies, including the Intelligence Community, the Departments of Defense, Commerce, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture.

Key missions of the office include:

Developing and Implementing Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Strategies: Officers will have the lead for developing and implementing bilateral and multilateral biological weapons-related nonproliferation policies. Key functions will include: 1) developing and promoting dynamic policies and programs on a bilateral basis to combat the threat posed by biological weapons and related materials; 2) advancing and protecting key U.S. national security interests within the multilateral framework of the Biological Weapons Convention; 3) leading the development and implementation of Australia Group export controls and catch-all controls for BW-applicable items and technology; 4) preparing recommendations for Bureau and Departmental principals on sanctions and implementing sanctions laws and other penalties as they relate to biological weapons and associated technology and equipment; 5) co-chair the SHIELD-Licensing and Interdiction group and review and make recommendations on proposed U.S. exports for BW proliferation concerns and consistency with overall U.S. nonproliferation policy; 6) coordinate with the ISN/FO Sanctions Coordinator to provide relevant expert support, as needed, to the Coordinator’s management of the INPA process for the bureau; and 7) drafting of relevant sections of nonproliferation reports to Congress in coordination with the Sanctions Coordinator in the ISN/Front Office and with other offices.

Developing and Implementing Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation Strategies: Officers will have the lead for developing and implementing bilateral and multilateral chemical weapons-related nonproliferation policies. Key functions will include: 1) developing and promoting dynamic policies and programs on a bilateral basis to combat the threat posed by chemical weapons and related materials, including efforts to assist destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles and related equipment and technology; 2) -leading U.S. efforts to implement obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, including operation of the U.S. National Authority; 3) advancing and protecting key U.S. national security interests within the multilateral framework of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons; 4) providing technical advice and policy support to the U.S. Mission to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons; 5) leading the development and implementation of Australia Group export control and catch-all controls for CW-applicable items and technology; 6) preparing recommendations for Department principals on sanctions and implementing sanctions laws to include the INPA, as well as other penalties as they related to chemical weapons and associated technology and equipment; 7) chair the SHIELD-Licensing and Interdiction group and review and make recommendations on proposed U.S. exports for CW proliferation concerns and consistency with overall U.S. nonproliferation policy; and 8) coordinate with the ISN/FO Sanctions Coordinator to provide relevant expert support, as needed, to the Coordinator’s management of the INPA process for the bureau.; and 9) drafting of relevant sections of nonproliferation reports to Congress in coordination with the Sanctions Coordinator in the ISN/Front Office and with other offices.

Director: Bob Mikulak