FACACLASSIC

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DOS - 2208 - International Security Advisory Board - Authorized by Law

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	International Security Advisory Board	Agency Name	Department of State
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	2208
Original Establishment Date	1/28/1997	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	https://www.state.gov/international-security-ad...
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	25
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Executive Director
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix
Current Charter Date	5/23/2023	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Michelle
Date Of Renewal Charter	5/23/2025	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Dover
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority	22 U.S.C. § 2581(f)	Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(202) 736 4930
Establishment Authority*	Authorized by Law	Designated Federal Officer Fax*	TBD
Specific Establishment Authority*	22 U.S.C. § 2581(f)	Designated Federal Officer Email*	isab@state.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	10/21/1998
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	National Policy Issue Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The Board examines issues assigned by the Department of State relating to international security and makes specific recommendations to the Secretary of State and to the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security. The board casts a wide intellectual net, examining a broad range of information, evidence, and concepts relating to scientific, military, diplomatic, political, and public diplomacy aspects of arms control, disarmament, nonproliferation, outer space, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, the national security aspects of emerging technologies, and international security and related aspects of public diplomacy. The Board reports to the Secretary and the Under Secretary on its findings and makes relevant and timely recommendations, as appropriate. The Board undertakes studies where the members consult with other parties and agencies to obtain a wide assessment of the issues that relate to international security and arms control.
How is membership balanced?*	The membership consists of a diverse set of recognized experts with professional backgrounds in diplomacy, the military, national defense, the intelligence community, academia, technology, and science. All have distinguished records and backgrounds in international security. Thus, the members are able to provide the Secretary and Under Secretary with diverse independent expertise and perspectives. The Department convenes a diverse board of experts with the appropriate background that allows for focused studies of the topics assigned by the Department.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	The Board held three plenary meetings in FY24 (and one in early FY25 - October 2024). Per the Charter, the Board endeavors to meet approximately four or more times per year. Operationally, each meeting is designed to address the studies approved by the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security and focuses the Board’s work on its mission. The meetings are key mechanisms to provide advice and insight to the Department on the ongoing studies and other relevant topics.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	The Board provides the Department of State with an expert, independent perspective on international security, nonproliferation, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies issues. In the present constrained fiscal environment, the ISAB gives the Department of State, at very low cost, access to expertise and experience not available on a full-time basis. The ISAB provides an outside perspective highly beneficial to the Department and the pursuit of U.S. national security objectives.
Why close or partially close meetings?	The Board deals with classified national security information. Any unclassified information discussed during Board meetings could not be segregated in a way that would not hamper the Board's deliberations.
Recommendation Remarks	The Secretary of State's International Security Advisory Board (ISAB) provides the Department of State with independent insight and advice on all aspects of arms control, disarmament, nonproliferation, outer space, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, the national security aspects of emerging technologies, and international security and related aspects of public diplomacy. The ISAB is sponsored and overseen by the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. The ISAB is chartered to have up to 25 members. The Board members reflect a balance of backgrounds, points of view, and demographic diversity and include a wide variety of scientific, technology, military, diplomatic, and political backgrounds.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	No	Action Reorganize Priorities*	No
Outcome Trust In Government	No	Action Reallocate Resources	No
Outcome Major Policy Changes	No	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	No	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	No	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	No	Action Other	Yes
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	No	Action Comment	The Department implements select ISAB recommendations.
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	No	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	Yes	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	ISAB has provided senior policy makers and the Department of State with valuable and unique insight and advice with regards to international security and nonproliferation. The Board is advisory only and does not make policy.	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Less Than $100,000	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	Some Board members and nearly all experts consulted by the Board serve without compensation. The costs of paying for the services of these experts would be significant for the government.	Grants Review Comment	NA
Number Of Recommendations*	308	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	In FY24, the ISAB made 88 specific recommendations to the Department of State in three studies on nuclear deterrence, artificial intelligence, and new security studies. These studies are available on the ISAB website. The ISAB was inactive in FY18, FY19, FY20, FY21, and FY22. No new recommendations in FY23 because the board’s three studies were ongoing and not completed during the FY, although two studies were completed in October 2023.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	0.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	N/A	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	0.00%	Access Publications	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	N/A	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	N/A
Agency Feedback Comment*	Feedback, when provided, is provided during ISAB Plenary meetings. When permissible, feedback will be made available upon request. Inquiries should be sent to ISAB@state.gov.	Narrative Description*	The Board, dealing with the scientific, military, diplomatic, political, and public diplomacy arms control, disarmament, nonproliferation, outer space, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, the national security aspects of emerging technologies, and international security and related aspects of public diplomacy, provides valuable independent insight and advice and thereby meets an important requirement of the Department.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*		1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*
2. Payments to Federal Members*		2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*
3. Payments to Federal Staff*		3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*
4. Payments to Consultants*		4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*		5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*		6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*		7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*		8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*
10. Other Costs		10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*
11. Total Costs	$0.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$0.00
Date Cost Last Modified	3/12/2025 10:07 AM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*		Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

Category Area Applied Science Applied Sciences Engineering Computer Technology Technology Cybersecurity Government Federal Government Internal Federal Government International International Law International Organizations National Defense National Security and Defense Overseas Security Issues Science and Technology Innovation Science and Technology

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