Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN)

 

Date: 01/20/2009 Description: Blue envelope icon, used for email subscriptions. State Dept Photo

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The ISN Bureau:

  • spearheads efforts to promote international consensus on WMD proliferation through bilateral and multilateral diplomacy;
  • leads the development of diplomatic responses to specific bilateral and regional WMD proliferation challenges, including today's threats posed by Iran, North Korea, and Syria. Develops and supports strategic dialogues with India, Pakistan, China, and other key states or groups of states.
  • addresses WMD proliferation threats posed by non-state actors and terrorist groups by improving physical security, using interdiction and sanctions, and actively participating in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI);
  • works closely with the UN, the G-8, NATO, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other international institutions and organizations to reduce and eliminate the threat posed by WMD
  • supports efforts of the international community to prevent, protect against, and respond to the threat or use of WMD by terrorists; leads coordination for the U.S. government's as co-chair to the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, a partnership of 75 countries (and growing) committed to preventing, protecting against, and responding to nuclear terrorism.

2009 Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
May 4, 2009

The objectives of the United States for this PrepCom are to finalize procedural issues, including the agenda, and elect a president of the RevCon. In addition, the United States will promote U.S. policy objectives by presenting working papers and statements addressing various aspects of the Treaty. [more]


Statement to the Executive Council Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Fifty-sixth Session
April 21, 2009

Dr. Robert Mikulak, U.S. Representative: "One important task before the Executive Council in the year ahead will be to set an appropriate deadline for Iraq’s destruction program. Here, the Council is in uncharted territory beyond the original deadlines set out in the Convention." [Full Text]


U.S.-New Zealand Arrangement For Cooperation On Nonproliferation Assistance
April 7, 2009

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully signed on April 7, 2009, an arrangement for cooperation on nonproliferation assistance. This arrangement supports collaborative work between the United States and New Zealand to secure nuclear and radioactive materials that could be used in a nuclear or radiological weapon and to detect and deter illicit trafficking in these materials by improving monitoring capabilities at priority border crossings, airports, and seaports. [more]


Iranian Launch of Satellite
February 3, 2009

Iran's ongoing efforts to develop its missile delivery capabilities remain a matter of deep concern.  Recently, Iran's development of a space launch vehicle (SLV) capable of putting a satellite into orbit establishes the technical basis from which Iran could develop long-range ballistic missile systems [more


Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Arab Emirates Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
January 15, 2009

On January 15, 2009, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed signed an Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Arab Emirates Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (a so-called '123 Agreement' after the relevant section of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act) in Washington. [more]


Designation of A.Q. Khan and Associates for Nuclear Proliferation Activities
January 12, 2009

Dr. A.Q. Khan led an extensive international network for the proliferation of nuclear equipment and know-how that provided 'one stop shopping' for countries seeking to develop nuclear weapons. He and his associates provided Iran and Libya with centrifuge components, designs, and, in some cases, complete centrifuges. The United States also believes that Khan and his associates provided centrifuge designs, equipment, and technology to North Korea. Dr. Khan also provided Libya with nuclear weapon designs. With the assistance of Khan's network, countries could leapfrog the slow, incremental stages of other nuclear weapons development programs. In 2004, following Libya's welcome decision to renounce its nuclear program, the United States removed from Libya items it had received from the network. [more]

Women in ISN Leadership
Date: 03/16/2009 Location: Washington, DC Description: Joan Ellen Corbett State Dept PhotoJoan Corbett is a retired senior American diplomat, with wide experience in central European, economic, political-military, and international security affairs including NATO. During her career she served in Frankfurt, Vienna, divided Berlin, and Bern and at the NSC, the Pentagon, as DCM in Vienna, and as POLAD at a NATO command. More
-- Pamela Durham
-- Ann Ganzer