State Department Launches Bureau to Counter Cyberattacks, AI Risks from Iran and Others

New entity will focus on safeguarding US national security against emerging tech threats.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 7:43pm

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The US State Department has formally launched a new Bureau of Emerging Threats to anticipate and respond to dangers posed by Iran, China, Russia, North Korea, and foreign terrorist groups through the weaponization of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, cyberattacks, and space-based threats. The bureau will include five divisions to leverage foreign policy and national power to protect American interests.

Why it matters

Adversaries like Iran have a history of using cyberattacks to target US interests, and there has been an uptick in such activity since recent military action. The new bureau aims to get ahead of these evolving tech-based threats to national security.

The details

The Bureau of Emerging Threats will include divisions focused on cybersecurity, critical infrastructure security, disruptive technology, space security, and threat assessment. It will be led by Anny Vu, who recently served as the Trump administration's chargé d'affaires to China. The bureau's creation was announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of a broader departmental reorganization plan.

  • The State Department formally notified Congress about the creation of the Bureau of Emerging Threats on March 23, 2026.
  • The White House released its national policy framework for artificial intelligence on the same day.

The players

Marco Rubio

The United States Secretary of State who announced the creation of the Bureau of Emerging Threats as part of a broader departmental reorganization plan.

Anny Vu

The senior official leading the Bureau of Emerging Threats, who also recently served as the Trump administration's chargé d'affaires to China.

Tommy Pigott

The State Department principal deputy spokesperson who said the bureau will address current and future threats in areas like cyberspace, outer space, critical infrastructure, and the misuse of disruptive technologies.

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What they’re saying

“The bureau will address not only the current threats we face today in cyberspace, outer space, critical infrastructure, and through the misuse of disruptive technology like AI and quantum, but those we will face in the decades ahead.”

— Tommy Pigott, State Department principal deputy spokesperson

“We must leverage foreign policy and all tools of national power to protect U.S. interests.”

— Anny Vu, Senior official leading the Bureau of Emerging Threats

What’s next

The new Bureau of Emerging Threats will begin operations immediately, with a focus on anticipating and responding to evolving tech-based threats to national security.

The takeaway

The creation of the Bureau of Emerging Threats underscores the growing importance of addressing advanced technology-driven national security risks from adversaries like Iran, China, and Russia. This new entity will leverage all available foreign policy tools to safeguard American interests in the face of emerging cyber, space, and AI-related threats.