On October 1, 2026, the US Department of State published a final rule amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) to remove Syria from the list of countries subject to a policy of denial for licenses and other approvals for exports, imports of defense articles and defense services. The rule took effect on publication of the final rule, and the State Department will now adjudicate applications for licenses or other approvals involving Syria on…
On August 20, 2026, the White House released the National Security Science and Technology Strategy (“NSSTS”), which establishes the Trump administration’s framework for maintaining US technological leadership and protecting critical and emerging technologies. The NSSTS is organized around four pillars: (1) focusing techno-strategic competition, (2) building technological resilience, (3) accelerating innovation, and (4) protecting national security science and technology. For sanctions, export controls, investment screening, and data security practitioners, Pillar 4(Protect National Security S&T) is…
On July 23, 2026, the US Department of State designated multiple entities and individuals in Cuba, and the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) issued three new Cuba-related general licenses. The actions are intended to further restrict revenue streams supporting the Cuban government, including activities tied to the energy sector, sanctions evasion networks, financial services, and Cuba’s overseas medical missions program. The designations and general licenses were issued under Executive…
On July 20, 2026, the US State Department published Public Notice 13072 imposing additional sanctions on Sudan under Section 307(b) of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 (the “Act”). The action follows the State Department’s April 24, 2025, determination under Section 306(a) of the Act, that the Government of Sudan used chemical weapons in violation of international law. Section 307(b) of the Act calls for additional sanctions unless the…