On July 10, 2026, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) issued General License No. 2 (“GL 2”) under the Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations (the “DRCSR”) as the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (“DRC”) continues to face significant humanitarian challenges, including an Ebola outbreak in the region. GL 2 goes beyond the existing general license found in section 547.513 of the DRCSR, which is limited to…
On June 22, 2026, President Trump signed Executive Order 14411, on Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation (the “EO”). The EO establishes a national policy to maintain a strategic technical advantage in quantum information science and technology (QIST) and leads the development of a robust and trusted quantum ecosystem across QIST research, manufacturing, commercialization, and application. Accordingly the focus of much of the EO is directed at accelerating domestic commercialization and research. Additionally,…
On July 8, 2026, the US Department of State announced that President Trump had notified Congress of his administration’s intent to rescind Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (“SST”). The notification initiates a 45-day period that must elapse before the rescission takes effect. In the accompanying press statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that “[l]ifting sanctions on Syria will unlock international trade and investment, give Syria a chance to rebuild, and open…
On June 4, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Ukraine Support Act (H.R. 2913) (the “Act”), a broad measure that would, if enacted, (1) impose new Russia-related sanctions, (2) codify and tighten existing U.S. export controls, (3) impose duties of at least 500% on Russian imports and taxation of blocked assets, and (4) authorize additional Ukraine-related security and reconstruction measures. The bill now moves to the Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain. If…