U.S. State Dept, Diplomatic Security

The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) is the federal law enforcement and security arm of the Department of State. Tasked with securing U.S. diplomacy and protecting the integrity of U.S. travel documents, DSS has the largest global reach of any U.S. nts, DSS has the largest global reach of any U.S. federal law enforcement agency, with offices in 33 U.S. cities and in more than 270 locations around the world. Defense investment by Allies safeguards freedoms for all of us. And it also brings jobs to the United States. In 2024 alone, NATO Allies bought some $21 billion defense equipment from the United States, supporting manufacturing and employment here at home. During the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Dayton, Ohio, last month, I visited American industry leaders and producers who are transforming Allied defense spending into strength on both sides of the Atlantic. At the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, Ohio, I watched U.S. workers assemble Abrams tanks bound for NATO Allies such as Poland. These tanks are more than tools of deterrence and defense: they are the product of our shared resolve and economic opportunity. When Europe invests in its own defense, it also directly supports American jobs, strengthens our industrial base, and reinforces NATO’s collective security. Just as the security environment has changed, the way we fight has changed. The conflicts and crises of today - and those to come - will require us to rely on advanced technology just as much as traditional military strength. The truth is, the gap between American defense innovation and the rest of the world is vast. And for NATO to maintain credible deterrence, the Alliance relies on American technology to provide the backbone of our collective defense. It is American tech companies developing AI-driven manufacturing systems, next-gen defense software, and rapid prototyping platforms that will keep our forces ahead of the curve. Every European defense dollar invested in NATO means new opportunities in American towns developing defense tech. As we look beyond the NATO Summit in The Hague, bold commitments on defense investment must be matched by action. But the road to a stronger NATO doesn’t start in Brussels. It starts in communities across the United States where leadership, industry, and patriotism come together to support peace. The story of NATO’s founding reminds us: peace is not a gift, it is earned. It is built through resolve, investment, and the unshakable belief that freedom must be defended. Let’s carry that legacy forward, together, through strength. Matthew G. Whitaker was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to NATO on April 3, 2025. He previously served as Acting U.S. Attorney General and as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa. ...view more