The Acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Thomas M. Countryman, leads the interagency policy process on nonproliferation and manages global U.S. security policy, principally in the areas of nonproliferation, arms control, regional security and defense relations, and arms transfers and security assistance. This entails overseeing the negotiation, implementation, and verification of international agreements in arms control and international security. Other specific responsibilities include directing and coordinating export control policies and policies to prevent missile, nuclear, chemical, biological, and conventional weapons proliferation. All of these contribute to the State Department’s strategic goal of countering threats to the United States and the international order. The Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security serves as a Senior Adviser to the President and the Secretary of State.

The Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, and the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs report to the Under Secretary.

In The News

Nuclear Security Summit

Secretary Kerry (Mar. 31): "In the six years we’ve been meeting – first in Washington, then in Seoul, then the Hague, and now back in Washington – we can actually point to real, tangible achievements in nuclear security." Full Text» More»

Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance

The Role of Diplomacy in Keeping Outer Space Safe, Secure, and Sustainable

04/14/16 Assistant Secretary Frank A. Rose, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance; 32nd Space Symposium; Colorado Springs, CO

Remarks at RUSI Missile Defense Conference

04/12/16 Remarks at RUSI Missile Defense Conference; Assistant Secretary Frank A. Rose, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance; London, United Kingdom

Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation

Joint Statement: United States and Norway

Mar. 31: Today Assistant Secretary Thomas Countryman of the U.S. Department of State and the Norwegian Ambassador to the United States Kare R. Aas strengthened their countries’ partnership to counter nuclear terrorism by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between their ministries. More»

Nuclear Security Summit 2016

Assistant Secretary Countryman (Mar. 28): "The Nuclear Security Summit, which has been held every two years, is a crucial element of the United States strategy to keep terrorists from acquiring fissile material to make nuclear weapons." Full Text»

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

PM Strengthens Peacekeeping through Global Peace Operations Initiative

DAS Rothstein (Apr. 13): “Working to include women as equal partners in preventing conflict and building peace in countries threatened and affected by war, violence, and insecurity can also help reduce instances of sexual exploitation and abuse and gender-based violence.” Testimony» GPOI»

CCW Informal Meeting of Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems

Apr. 11: U.S. delegation participates in international discussion on emerging defense technology challenges. Opening Statement» Appropriate Levels of Human Judgement» Weapons Reviews» More»