The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls is launching an AI virtual agent Dec. 19 to provide DDTC site users with information technology support and to "enhance the DDTC experience for defense industry users." The agent, which will be "available 24/7," will use AI to "answer common IT questions instantly and guide users to helpful IT resources, making it easier and faster to resolve routine IT issues." For more complex questions, users can use the agent to connect with a human Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, DDTC said.

The U.S. will use its newly created Pax Silica initiative -- an effort alongside Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the U.K., Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Australia to strengthen the silicon supply chain -- as an opportunity to harmonize economic security tools, said Jacob Helberg, the State Department's undersecretary for economic affairs.

Mouser Electronics, one of several firms sued this week in a Texas state court for allegedly not doing enough to ensure the semiconductor parts they sell don't end up in Russian or Iranian hands (see 2512110054), said they will respond to the matter in court. “We deeply respect the legal process and will respond to this matter in court, versus the media,” said Kevin Hess, senior vice president of marketing at Mouser Electronics.

The State Department last week approved a possible $79 million military sale to Belgium, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said. Belgium would get "Hellfire missiles" and related equipment, and the principal contractor would be Lockheed Martin.

The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls is seeking public comments on one information collection related to nontransfer and use certificates and another involving Part 130 of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

The State Department last week approved possible military sales to Lebanon, Denmark, Italy and South Korea, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.

The State Department approved a potential $2.68 billion military sale to Canada for "Air Strike Weapons" and related equipment, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said last week. The principal contractors will be Boeing and RTX.

The White House last week published its national security strategy, a 33-page document that outlines what the Trump administration views as America’s “principles,” "priorities" and “national interests.” It also describes a plan to deprioritize engagement with Europe and focus more heavily on the Western Hemisphere, while “ending the perception, and preventing the reality, of NATO as a perpetually expanding alliance.”

The State Department this week approved possible military sales to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.

The State Department this week approved a possible $200 million military sale to the U.K. for "Navy Multiband Terminals" and related equipment, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said. The principal contractor will be RTX.