ISN/MBC leads working level USG effort to impede, roll back, and eliminate the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons (CBW), missile delivery systems for weapons of mass destruction (WMD – nuclear and CBW), and related equipment, materials, and technology. Accordingly, ISN/MBC leads Departmental and interagency efforts to develop, integrate, coordinate, and implement bilateral and multilateral policies and programs to fight the proliferation of CBW and missiles capable of delivering WMD. The office works closely with National Security Staff (NSS) and other agencies, including the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, Justice, Treasury, and the Intelligence Community, in carrying out its mission. ISN/MBC leads U.S. participation in the Australia Group (AG) CBW nonproliferation regime, the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC), and the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
Key Missions:
Interdiction: ISN/MBC leads the USG effort to identify and stop specific shipments of missile- and CBW-related items of concern worldwide, including by chairing the relevant interdiction working groups.
Sanctions: ISN/MBC implements U.S. missile and CBW sanctions laws, missile and CBW-related Executive Order (E.O.) 12938 penalties, and the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act. Much of this work is facilitated by and coordinated through the interdiction working groups.
Licensing, Export Control, and Visa Review: ISN/MBC leads interagency review of U.S. export license applications for consistency with CBW and missile nonproliferation objectives, and to ensure that U.S. transfers do not contribute to proliferation. The office also reviews visa applications for missile and CBW proliferation concerns.
Congressional Reports: ISN/MBC regularly provides the following reports to Congress: "Proliferation of Missiles and Essential Components of Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Weapons"; the national emergency with respect to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; INKSNA; countries’ adherence to the MTCR; and the “Annual Certification to Congress on the Effectiveness of the Australia Group”.
Director: Pamela Durham
