The Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN) leads the Department of State’s efforts to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)—whether nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological—and their delivery systems, as well as destabilizing conventional weapons, including guns, tanks and attack helicopters. It does this by:

  • Spearheading efforts to promote international consensus on WMD proliferation through bilateral and multilateral diplomacy;
  • Addressing 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) and other programs to counter nuclear terrorism;
  • Coordinating the implementation of key international treaties and arrangements, working to make them relevant to today’s security challenges and working 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; and
  • Supporting efforts of foreign partners to prevent, deter and respond to the threat or use of WMD by terrorists.

ISN offices include:

  • Multilateral Nuclear and Security Affairs (ISN/MNSA): Formulates and directs U.S. policy relating to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), safeguards controls on fissile material, and other multilateral nuclear issues pertaining to Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (NWFZ) treaties, the Group of Eight (G8) nations and the European Union.
  • Nuclear Energy, Safety and Security (ISN/NESS): Develops U.S. policy related to peaceful nuclear cooperation, the future of the international nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear safety, nuclear export controls, and the physical protection of nuclear materials and facilities.
  • Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR): Engages worldwide with countries, facilities, and scientists to keep weapons of mass destruction (WMD) expertise, materials, and equipment out of the hands of proliferators and terrorists.
  • Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (ISN/NDF): Rapid-response fund to exploit nonproliferation and disarmament opportunities, circumstances, or conditions that are unanticipated or unusually difficult (e.g., missile destruction, removal of fissile material).
  • Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorism (ISN/WMDT): Develops policy and plans, directs initiatives, and coordinates partner capacity-building activities to prevent, protect against, and respond to the threat or use of nuclear, radiological, chemical, or biological weapons by terrorists. Leads the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, the Nuclear Smuggling Outreach Initiative, the Nuclear Trafficking Response Group, and the Foreign Consequence Management Program.
  • Missile, Biological and Chemical Nonproliferation (ISN/MBC): Combats the proliferation of ballistic and cruise missiles capable of delivering WMD via the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), and impedes proliferation of chemical and biological weapons via the Australia Group regime. Also responsible for coordinating interdiction, sanctions and associated export controls, and direct diplomacy with missile-possessing and technology- supplying countries.
  • Conventional Arms Threat Reduction (ISN/CATR): Leads USG efforts to curb the proliferation of advanced conventional weapons (ACW) such as Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), major weapons systems (tanks, aircraft, missiles), sensors and lasers, and precision-guided munitions.
  • Export Control Cooperation (ISN/ECC): Helps other countries improve their nonproliferation export control systems, including directly via the Export Control and Related Border Security Assistance (EXBS) program and by coordinating and strengthening nonproliferation export control assistance efforts of other USG agencies and other countries.
  • Biological Policy Staff (ISN/BPS): Leads USG coordination for the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and related biological policy issues.
  • Counterproliferation Initiatives (ISN/CPI): Develops and implements counterproliferation efforts designed to interdict or deny shipments of WMD and their means of delivery, to shut down illicit procurement and financial networks, and to promote compliance with UN Security Council Resolutions. Leads Department efforts related to the Proliferation Security Initiative and promoting observance of UN Security Council Resolution 1540.
  • Regional Affairs (ISN/RA): Leads the bureau’s work on diplomatic responses to nuclear threats posed by Iran, North Korea, and Syria. Develops and supports strategic dialogues with India, Pakistan, and China. Pursues regional nonproliferation strategies in key areas such as the Middle East and East Asia (including via the ASEAN Regional Forum).
  • Strategic Communications and Outreach (ISN/SCO): Supports the bureau’s interaction with Congress, the media, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and coordinates public diplomacy and outreach efforts in support of nonproliferation.