The Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs is a position within the
U.S. Department of State that manages the
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, charged with linking the
Department of Defense and the Department of State by providing policy in the areas of
international security
International security, also called global security is a term which refers to the measures taken by states and international organizations, such as the United Nations, European Union, and others, to ensure mutual survival and safety. These meas ...
, security assistance,
military operations, defense strategy and policy, military use of space, and defense trade. The Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs reports to the
Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs.
When the Department of State originally established the Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs on September 18, 1969, the bureau had replaced a special component for politico-military affairs that had served under the Deputy
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs since 1960. The head of the Bureau had the title of Director of the Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs, and was designated by the
Secretary of State, but still held rank equivalent to
Assistant Secretary. Later, the director became appointed by the
President, subject to the advice and consent of the
Senate
A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...
, and the title of the head of the Bureau was changed to Assistant Secretary on April 14, 1986.
List of directors of the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, 1969–1985
List of Assistant Secretaries of State for Political-Military Affairs, 1986–present
References
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