Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs is a branch of the United States Department of State that connects the Departments of State and Defense giving the Bureau access to military bases and overflight authorization to facilitate the deployment of US military personnel. It also negotiates the status of US military personnel and International Criminal Court non-surrender agreements and manages forces’ engagement in coalition combat and stabilization. The Bureau also provides policy direction in the areas of international security, security assistance, military operations, defense strategy, and plans and defense trade. It also attempts to establish and manage defense partnerships with US allies, oversee arms transfers, restrict access to military technologies and combat the illegal trafficking of small arms or light weapons.