The International Strategic Studies Association (ISSA) is based in the Washington DC area in the United States, and is a worldwide membership Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) of professionals involved in national management, particularly in national and international security and strategic policy. ISSA is registered with the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a tax-exempt, non-profit educational foundation under 501(c)(3) status. The Association, founded in 1972 with the birth of its Defense & Foreign Affairs group of publications, has as one of its key objectives the creation of forums at which professionals in these areas can meet, or exchange information and views, in informal circumstances to discuss issues of mutual concern. The Association regularly honors achievements in the field of international relations and peacemaking with its Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Strategic Progress. ISSA's College of Fellows has gathered together leaders from around the world to help consider issues of major strategic importance. Members of the College are entitled to the post-nominals "FSS": Fellow of Strategic Studies. The Association, in 1998, brought fully in-house the publication of the Defense & Foreign Affairs publishing and information group, which began in 1972 providing strategic information and analysis to governments worldwide. It also incorporates the Global Information System (GIS), an encrypted on-line intelligence service for governments.