Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM), headed by Assistant Secretary John Hillen, is the principal link between the Departments of State and Defense. The Bureau provides policy direction in the areas of international security, security assistance, military operations, and defense trade. PM is instrumental in the State Department's efforts to accomplish three major goals under the United States Strategic Plan for International Affairs:

• Combating Terrorism: PM plays a key role in the Global War on Terrorism that includes securing base access and overflight permission to support the deployment of U.S. military forces, coordinating the participation of coalition combat and stabilization forces, and promoting critical infrastructure protection.
  
  
• Regional Stability: PM promotes stability around the world by fostering effective defense relationships with key friends and allies; regulating arms transfers; promoting responsible U.S. defense trade; controlling access to military technologies; combating illegal trafficking of small arms and light weapons; negotiating status of forces and base access agreements; and facilitating the education and training of international peacekeepers and other foreign military personnel.
  
  
• Humanitarian Assistance: PM manages humanitarian mine action programs around the world and works with the Defense Department to provide assistance in the event of natural disasters and other crises abroad.