National Security Bureaucracy for Arms Control, Counterproliferation, and Nonproliferation Part I: The Role of the Department of State

The State Department has a crucial role in arms control and nonproliferation efforts. In 1999, the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA) was dismantled and its functions were transferred to the Arms Control and International Security bureau, under the jurisdiction of the State Department. Currently, the Bureau faces organizational and workforce issues such as the effects of a controversial reorganization, a lack of civil service professional career paths, a shortage of scientists with the technical expertise to support effective policy, and Foreign Service Officers who lack the training to oversee nonproliferation efforts. The hearing will examine the organizational structures of the State Department responsible for arms control, counterproliferation, and nonproliferation; the processes they have in place for optimizing national efforts; and how responsive those structures and processes are to the Executive Branch’s nonproliferation and counterproliferation policies. Finally, the hearing will discuss recommendations by the panelists for improving the arms control, counterproliferation, and nonproliferation bureaucracies.