Bill Introduced to “Close Loopholes” in Iranian Sanctions
On Wednesday, Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced S.2058 barring companies "who engage in business or trading activity with Iran from buying oil from America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve." The "Iran Certification and Reporting Bill," co-sponsored by 16 other senators, was introduced in an attempt to "close loopholes, increase transparency, and improve effectiveness" of current sanctions. In order to take effect, the bill needs to be passed by the full Senate, incorporated with the existing legislation ...
February 3, 2012
Category: Congress, International Law, Iran, Legislation, sanctions, US foreign policy
Russia Continues to Resist UN Sanctions on Syria
Russian authorities said on Wednesday they would be open to "constructive proposals" concerning proposed U.N. sanctions and have since offered to host peace talks in Moscow. Russia continues to oppose "any U.N. resolution requiring all nations to abide by unilateral sanctions imposed by the west." Sanctions submitted to the U.N. Security Council last month by the West were greeted by Russia as "one sided." Russia blames both the Syrian government and the opposition for violence, and therefore ...
Russia to Sell Arms to Syria
In defiance of an international effort to end the violence which has continued to ravage Syria for 11 months, Rosoboronexport, the Russian state arms trader has reportedly contracted to sell Syrian Authorities 36 Yak-130 fighter jets. The Yak-130 is a "twin-engined combat trainer jet that can also be used to attack ground targets." If true, Russia would be entrenching it's position against the desires international community by defying a E.U. embargo ...
Iranian Nuclear Scientist Killed in Bomb Attack
Amid rising tensions between the US and Iran, an Iranian nuclear scientist was killed by a magnetic bomb that was attached to his car. The victim, Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan, was a deputy director at Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment facility. Tehran's deputy governor ...
International Community Prepares Sanctions on Iran
Reports that Iran has begun enriching uranium at Fordow, a fortified nuclear site, has raised concern in the International community and may push countries to impose stronger sanctions. The enrichment is a direct violation of Iran's agreements with the ...
POMED Notes: Confronting Damascus: U.S. Policy toward the Evolving Situation in Syria
On Wednesday, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia chaired by Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH) held a hearing on the U.S. Government’s policies towards the ever-changing situation in Syria and what kind of policy stances the White House should take in appropriately dealing with Syria. Fredric C. Hof, Special Coordinator for Regional Affairs at the Office of the U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace ...
December 19, 2011
Category: Arab League, Civil Society, Civil War, Corruption, DC Event Notes, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Government, Human Rights, Political transition, Protests, Reform, sanctions, Syria, US foreign policy
POMED Notes: Syria Under Growing International Pressure
On Tuesday, the Middle East Institute Brookings Institution co-hosted an event entitled "Syria Under Growing International Pressure." Speakers included Murhaf Jouejati of the Middle East Institute and the National Defense University, Andrew Tabler of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and Omer Taspinar of the Brookings Institution. Saban Center Senior Fellow Michael Doran moderated the discussion, while Kate Seelye provided an introduction. For full event notes, continue reading. Or, click ...
December 16, 2011
Category: DC Event Notes, Protests, Rule of Law, sanctions, Syria, Turkey, UN Security Council, US foreign policy
Violence Escalates in Syria Ahead of New Arab League Deadline
Violence has escalated in Syria ahead of another Arab League deadline, leaving 35 people dead. The Arab League threatened further sanctions if Syria did not accept international human rights observers into the country, and gave Syria until Sunday ...
December 4, 2011
Category: Arab League, Featured, Government, Human Rights, Reform, Rule of Law, sanctions, Syria
Syria: Soldiers Clash with Rebels
Fighting between forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and rebels in northern Syria has intensified over the past month, as at least 23 people were killed on Saturday. At least 15 are reported dead in the northwestern ...
December 3, 2011
Category: Featured, Human Rights, Military, Political transition, Rule of Law, sanctions, Syria, US foreign policy
EU Ramps Up Sanctions Against Assad Regime
The European Union approved tighter sanctions "against Syria's energy and financial sectors in response to President Bashar al-Assad's crackdown on dissidents," diplomats said. In a joint statement by foreign ministers "the EU reiterates its condemnation in the strongest terms of the ...
Turkey Imposes Sanctions on Syria
Today Turkey's Foreign Minister announced that Turkey would "suspend all financial dealings with Syria and freeze the assets of Bashar al-Assad's government as part of sanctions against its former ally." The sanctions are designed to target the Syrian leadership ...
Lebanon: PM Funds Hariri Case; Enforces Syria Sanctions
Lebanon's Prime Minsiter Najib Mikati said he transferred funding to the U.N. backed court investigating the assisnation of former PM Rafik Hariri. The $36 million of required funding for the Netherlands-based court was made on Wednesday, as Mikati stated “it ...
November 30, 2011
Category: Arab League, Featured, Government, Justice, Lebanon, Reform, Rule of Law, sanctions, Syria, United Nations
U.S. Pressures Syria, Russia Won’t Support Arms Embargo
As violence escalates in Syria with reports documenting mass atrocities, international pressure has mounted on Syria to end its violent crackdown on demonstrators. The U.S. and E.U. called on the Syrian government to “end violence immediately" and to ...
November 29, 2011
Category: Featured, Government, Human Rights, Public Opinion, Reform, Rule of Law, sanctions, Syria, Turkey, US foreign policy
November 25, 2011
Category: Arab League, Government, Human Rights, Military, Multilateralism, Protests, Rule of Law, sanctions, Syria
November 20, 2011
Category: Arab League, Government, Human Rights, Political transition, Reform, Rule of Law, sanctions, Syria
November 19, 2011
Category: Arab League, Government, Human Rights, Political transition, Protests, Reform, Rule of Law, sanctions, Syria
November 16, 2011
Category: Arab League, Featured, Government, Human Rights, Military, Multilateralism, Political transition, Protests, Reform, Rule of Law, sanctions, Syria
Arab League Suspends Syria
The Arab League voted on Saturday to suspend Syria from all activities until the Syrian government implements a plan to end the violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators. The League also threatened economic and political sanctions if President ...
November 12, 2011
Category: Arab League, Freedom, Government, Human Rights, Political transition, Protests, Rule of Law, sanctions, Syria, US foreign policy
POMED Notes: Hearing on U.S. Policy Towards Syria
On Wednesday, Chairman of the U.S. Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs Senator Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-PA) chaired a hearing regarding U.S. Policy Towards Syria and potential future action the United State Congress and the U.S. Government at large could take to further push President Bashar Al’Assad from power. The Honorable Jeffrey Feltman, Assistant Sectreary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, U.S. Department of ...
November 10, 2011
Category: Arab League, Event Notes, Freedom, Government, Hezbollah, Human Rights, International Law, Justice, Media, Political transition, Protests, Reform, sanctions, Syria, UN Security Council, United Nations, US foreign policy