Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN)-Bureau of Counterterrorism

The Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN) is responsible for managing a broad range of U.S. nonproliferation polices, programs, agreements, and initiatives. The proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and related materials, technologies, and expertise -- and the fact that terrorists are trying to acquire them -- is a preeminent challenge to American national security. Combating this threat through bilateral and multilateral diplomacy is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State. The ISN Bureau leads the Department’s efforts to prevent the spread of WMD -- whether nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological -- and their delivery systems.

"We must recommit ourselves to strengthening the three pillars of the nonproliferation regime. And with respect to those three pillars – nuclear disarmament, access to civilian nuclear energy, and nonproliferation – this Administration, the United States has led through deeds, not simply through words.” 

Contact Us:

• Front Office: 202-647-9868
• U.S. Press: Sandy Postell, 202-736-4879, PostellSR@state.gov
• Foreign Press: Eric Lund, 202-647-5320, Lundet@state.gov

www.state.gov

04/28/2014 United States Expands Export Restrictions on Russia-Department of State

Press Statement

Jen Psaki
Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

April 28, 2014

Today, in response to Russia’s continued actions in southern and eastern Ukraine, the United States is implementing additional restrictive measures on defense exports to Russia. Accordingly, the Department of State is expanding its export restrictions on technologies and services regulated under the U.S. Munitions List (USML).
Effective immediately, the Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) will deny pending applications for export or re-export of any high technology defense articles or services regulated under the U.S. Munitions List to Russia or occupied Crimea that contribute to Russia’s military capabilities. In addition, the Department is taking actions to revoke any existing export licenses which meet these conditions. All other pending applications and existing licenses will receive a case-by-case evaluation to determine their contribution to Russia’s military capabilities.
The United States will continue to adjust its export licensing policies toward Russia, as warranted by Russia’s actions in Ukraine. We urge Russia to honor the commitments it made in Geneva on April 17 to deescalate the situation in Ukraine.
www.stategov.com

Statement On Support for Israel-U.S Department of State- Secretary of State John Kerry

Press Statement

John Kerry
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

April 28, 2014

For more than thirty years in the United States Senate, I didn’t just speak words in support of Israel, I walked the walk when it came time to vote and when it came time to fight. As Secretary of State, I have spent countless hours working with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Justice Minister Livni because I believe in the kind of future that Israel not only wants, but Israel deserves. I want to see a two state solution that results in a secure Jewish state and a prosperous Palestinian state, and I’ve actually worked for it.

I will not allow my commitment to Israel to be questioned by anyone, particularly for partisan, political purposes, so I want to be crystal clear about what I believe and what I don’t believe.

First, Israel is a vibrant democracy and I do not believe, nor have I ever stated, publicly or privately, that Israel is an apartheid state or that it intends to become one. Anyone who knows anything about me knows that without a shred of doubt.

Second, I have been around long enough to also know the power of words to create a misimpression, even when unintentional, and if I could rewind the tape, I would have chosen a different word to describe my firm belief that the only way in the long term to have a Jewish state and two nations and two peoples living side by side in peace and security is through a two state solution. In the long term, a unitary, binational state cannot be the democratic Jewish state that Israel deserves or the prosperous state with full rights that the Palestinian people deserve. That’s what I said, and it’s also what Prime Minister Netanyahu has said. While Justice Minister Livni, former Prime Ministers Barak and Ohlmert have all invoked the specter of apartheid to underscore the dangers of a unitary state for the future, it is a word best left out of the debate here at home.

http://www.state.gov/

04/28/2014 DHS Tells Users to Avoid Internet Explorer Until Security Flaw is Fixed-SecurityManagement

By Megan Gates

04/28/2014 -

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has advised Internet users to avoid using Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser application until a security flaw has been fixed. The flaw allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system, according to the release issued through DHS’s U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) Monday morning. 

Internet Explorer contains a use-after-free vulnerability, which allows attackers to execute code on a system that is vulnerable. Machines that are vulnerable include those using Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11 and the bug “could lead to the complete compromise of an affected system,” US-CERT said in a statement.

While the bug is affecting Internet Explorer, the Adobe Flash application appears to be safe from such attacks. However, US-CERT warned that it might be possible for hackers to exploit the use of Flash as Internet Explorer and Flash run within the same process space as the browser.

Microsoft has not released an official statement about the flaw and how it’s working to fix it. In the meantime, US-CERT is recommending that Internet users use an alternative Web browser, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla’s Firefox, until an official update is available from Microsoft to fix the flaw.

Additionally, US-CERT is suggesting that users use the Microsoft Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) to help prevent exploitation of the vulnerability. However, the team warned that Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 will not receive the same level of protection that modern Windows platforms will, such as Windows 7 and 8.

The bug is the first high-profile security flaw to emerge since Microsoft stopped providing security updates for Windows XP earlier this month, Reuters reports. It was first reported publicly by FireEye, whose Mandiant division helps companies respond to cyberattacks.

FireEye is calling hackers’ exploitation of the security flaw Operation Clandestine Fox. According to its research, the campaign is a series of “targeted attacks seemingly against U.S.-based firms, currently tied to defense and financial sectors,” FireEye spokesman Vitor De Souza told Reuters. “It’s unclear what the motives of this attack group are, at this point. It appears to be broad-spectrum intel gathering.”
 

www.securitymanagement.com

04/29/2014 At least 37 people have been killed and dozens more injured in explosions in the Syrian City of Homs.BBC

At least 37 people have been killed and dozens more injured in explosions in the Syrian City of Homs, BBC reports. At least one of the expolosions involved a car bomb. The attacks come on the heels of president Bashar al-Assad’s registration to be on the ballot for re-election, despite calls for him to step down. In the country’s three-year civil war, at least 150,000 people are believed to have died, and millions of refugees who fled their homes remain displaced.

www.securitymanagement.com

0429/2014 A recent surge of spam for AOL e-mail users is related to a security breach-SecurityManagement

A recent surge of spam for AOL e-mail users is related to a security breach, and AOL is asking all users to reset their passwords, PC World reports. “Hackers made off with e-mail addresses, mailing addresses, encrypted passwords, and encrypted security questions. AOL says it's still investigating the matter in conjunction with federal employees,” according to the article. The breach affected roughly 2 percent of AOL’s users, but no financial information, encryption of passwords, or security questions appear to have been compromised so far.

www.secuirtymanagement.com

April 29, 2014 Today's Headlines-SecurityManagementUSA Today reports that six people have been injured in a workplace shooting that occurred this morning at a FedEx facility in Kennesaw, Georgia

By Holly Gilbert Stowell

04/29/2014 -

► USA Today reports that six people have been injured in a workplace shooting that occurred this morning at a FedEx facility in Kennesaw, Georgia, outside of Atlanta. The victims were transferred to a nearby hospital, and authorities are conducting a thorough search of all buildings on the campus for a suspect. FedEx released a statement saying they were aware of the situation. "Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our team members, first responders, and others affected. FedEx is cooperating with authorities,” the company said.

www.securitymanagement.com