Sanctions Archives

House Rep Pitches Bessent for Free Financial Flows to Breakaway ‘Somaliland’

26Sep

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Geopolitics, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief, Types of News: Videos

House Rep Pitches Bessent for Free Financial Flows to Breakaway ‘Somaliland’

"The sun descends, painting the city in warm, golden light. A spectacular sunset view." Somaliland is a part of Somalia that is on the strategic Gulf of Aden, across from Yemen. Photo by Go to Abdulkadir Hirabe's profilevia Unsplash UNITED STATES September 27, 2026—Given the national attention on inflation, the cost of war, uncertain outlook for interest rates, one might expect a congressman representing a largely middle-class district in Tennessee to ask the Treasury Secretary about an array of issues affecting Americans. But when Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared before the House Financial Services Committee this month, Rep. John Rose, R-Tenn., had a different part of the world in mind: The Horn of Africa. What is curious is that Rose asked about a breakaway movement ...

China-Based Researchers Examine Impact of U.S. Sanctions

19Sep

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

China-Based Researchers Examine Impact of U.S. Sanctions

A new study in Science says China's researchers are adapting methods in the wake of U.S. sanctions on research collaboration Researchers based in China—Junhan Wang of Shenzhen University, Xibao Li of Tsinghua University, and Yanbo Wang of the University of Hong Kong—conducted a deep dive into the U.S. sanctioned entity list and the impact on technological innovation. September 19, 2026—Researchers based in China—Junhan Wang of Shenzhen University, Xibao Li of Tsinghua University, and Yanbo Wang of the University of Hong Kong—conducted a thorough investigation into the U.S. sanctioned entity list and the impact on technological innovation. They found that a decoupling of scientific research might result in separate ecosystems. Their research is significant for many reasons. For one...

Treasury Secretary Bessent Faces Scolding on U.S. Embargo on Cuba

17Sep

By No Comments

Human rights, Sanctions, Types of News: Videos

Treasury Secretary Bessent Faces Scolding on U.S. Embargo on Cuba

Rep. Waters: 'Stop Trying to Kill All the Families in Cuba' September 17, 2026—At Tuesday's House Financial Services Committee hearing, Ranking member Rep. Maxine Waters gave with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about the U.S. embargo on Cuba. https://youtu.be/fw_t0aiMd8g?si=OXwBwyEtiX9Zl5jH “And a word about Cuba. You cut off all the oil to Cuba. You’re starving the families. You are starving the children. They don’t have electricity. They can’t get food in. What are you doing, Mr. Secretary? Why are you being so cruel? I know we have a cruel president, but do you have to be a puppet? Do you have to do whatever he wants you to do? What are you doing to this country? You are making us not only look bad, but act bad, all over the world. And I want to tell you, history is not go...

U.S. Phones, Telecom Companies Still Subject to Spying

4Dec

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Big Tech, Digital Economy, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief, United States

U.S. Phones, Telecom Companies Still Subject to Spying

Trump Scraps Proposed Sanctions on China’s Spy Agency December 4, 2025—A year after it became known that the Chinese government hacked into the U.S. telecommunications systems, gaining access to millions of phones, the systems remain vulnerable to spying, according to senators, a panel of experts, and officials at the Federal Communications Commission. “Our nation’s communications networks are facing rapidly evolving threats ranging from fraud and espionage to sabotage,” said Sen. Deb Fischer at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Tuesday. In late 2024, U.S. officials became aware of a Chinese government cyberespionage operation targeting global telecommunications systems. That became known as the “Salt Typhoon” attack, the worst telecommunications compromise in the nation’...

United Kingdom Faces Calls to Impose Sanctions on Israel

28May

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Human rights, Legal Battles, International Law, Justice, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

United Kingdom Faces Calls to Impose Sanctions on Israel

Over 800 Prominent U.K. Lawyers Call for Immediate Sanctions and Other Actions May 28, 2025—Under mounting evidence of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the strong likelihood of genocide by Israel against Palestinians, the United Kingdom is facing pressure to act to uphold international law. On Monday, over 800 lawyers signed a letter calling on U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to take decisive steps, including sanctions, to uphold the rule of law. “All States, including the UK, are legally obliged to take all reasonable steps within their power to prevent and punish genocide; to ensure respect for international humanitarian law; and to bring to an end violations of jus cogens norms of international law. The UK’s actions to date have failed to meet those standards,” the ...

G7 Tightening Sanctions, Warns Against Helping Russia’s War

25Feb

By No Comments

Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

G7 Tightening Sanctions, Warns Against Helping Russia’s War

Photo of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio meeting with G7 counterpart on Feb. 24, 2023. Japan is chairing the G7 in 2023. Leaders Announce 'New Sanctions To Condemn Russia's Illegal 'Unwavering Support' For Ukraine February 25, 2023—The G7 countries of Japan, the United States, Britain, Italy, Germany, Canada, and France issued the harshest statement yet condemning Russia's illegal war against Ukraine. "Russia’s heinous attacks over the last 365 days have laid bare the cruelty of the ongoing aggression," the G7 leaders said Friday. "We condemn Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovokedwar, disregard for the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and indifference to the impacts that itswar is having on people worldwide." The G7 leaders promised to give "unwavering suppor...

U.S. Treasury Assesses Impact Of Sanctions On Russia

17Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Arms Sales, Military Industry, Eastern Europe, Sanctions

U.S. Treasury Assesses Impact Of Sanctions On Russia

U.S. Government Warns About Secondary Sanctions To People Or Entities Supporting Russia's War October 17, 2022—As Russia has waged war against Ukraine and Ukraine fought back, Western governments have carefully weighed in on the battle through the global financial system. It's a powerful economic coalition that comprises 37 countries. The U.S. government alone issued roughly 1,500 new sanctions and amended 750 more. They target Russia's defense industrial base, the aerospace sector, the microelectronic industry, financial institutions, elites and oligarchs, luxury goods, and oil refining. The sanctions are having an impact on the Russian economy. But is it enough to have an impact strong enough to end the war? Impact of Sanctions On Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department rele...

As Nicaragua Invites Russian Troops To Central America, U.S. Responds

17Jun

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Communism, Dictatorship, authoritarian, Geopolitics, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

As Nicaragua Invites Russian Troops To Central America, U.S. Responds

U.S. Treasury Sanctions State-Owned Gold Mining Firm June 17, 2022—Citing Nicaragua's closer ties with Russia and political oppression at home, the U.S. Treasury issued new sanctions today targeting a Nicaraguan mining company and a government official. Specifically, it targets Empresa Nicaraguense de Minas (ENIMINAS), a state-owned gold-mining company, and Ruy Lopez Delgado, the head of the enterprise. Nicaragua Welcomes Russian Military The sanctions action comes just days after Nicaragua's parliament approved a decree to allow Russian troops to enter the Central American country. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega invited Russian troops into his country to carry out law enforcement duties and conduct joint military exercises, ABC News reported earlier this month. On J...

EU Agrees To A Partial Ban On Russian Oil

31May

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Eastern Europe, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Sanctions

EU Agrees To A Partial Ban On Russian Oil

European Council Plans To Accelerate Transition To Alternative Energy May 31, 2022-The 27 heads of government of the European Union agreed today to reduce its dependence on Russian fossil fuels and to accelerate a transition to alternative sources of energy. The decision sets the EU on a course to ban up 90 percent of Russian oil imports by the end of the year. It is part of the sixth round of sanctions against Russia and Belarus in response to Russia's war against Ukraine. "The European Council is committed to intensify pressure on Russia and Belarus to thwart Russia’s war against Ukraine," the Council said in an 11-page document. "The European Council calls on all countries to align with EU sanctions. Any attempts to circumvent sanctions or to aid Russia by other means must be s...

Biden Takes More Economic Actions Against Russia

11Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Global Trade, Globalization, Disintegration, Nationalism, Populism, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

Biden Takes More Economic Actions Against Russia

De-Globalization Continues As Congress Targets Most-Favored Trade Status March 11, 2022—U.S. President Joe Biden announced additional economic and trade measures today that further divide U.S.-Russian business relations. Specifically, Biden said he is working with Congress to deny Russia its most-favored-nation trade status, which gives its goods preferential treatment. Congressional Trade Bills Hill lawmakers have introduced bills in the House and Senate, H.R. 6835, S. 3717 and S. 3722, to withdraw the Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Russia. It's fair to say the bills have bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, a high-ranking member of the tax committee, is the lead sponsor of one of the bills. "Russia must be denied the benefit of the ...