Inside the Secret State Department Offices Facilitating Ukraine's Weapon Deals
The State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, with less than 10 staff members, has been responsible for approving military aid to Ukraine worth tens of billions of dollars. The bureau's workload has increased exponentially, with three offices playing a crucial role in approving the delivery of U.S. military aid, as well as the transfer of U.S.-made weapons and Ukraine's purchases from U.S. arms dealers. The unique funding and support for Ukraine have posed challenges in terms of staffing, technology limitations, and the complexity of the work. While the offices have managed to process transfers efficiently, the increasing sophistication of weapons and policy considerations may slow down the approval process. Additional staff and technological upgrades are needed to handle the current workload and potential increases in aid to Ukraine. Despite the challenges, the staff feels a sense of purpose and meaning in their mission.