On a Federal Register notice published on December 31, 2012, the Department of State issued a final rule to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to include Afghanistan as a major non-NATO ally.

The notice explains that this amendment is in order to implement President Obama's decision to designate the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as a major non-NATO ally in July 6, 2012, for purposes of the Arms Export Control Act.

The Department of State is also amending 22 CFR 126.1(a) to make available two defense export license exceptions for certain destinations. This final rule became effective on December 31, 2012.

The full text of the Federal Register notice can be found online here.