OFAC's New Afghanistan Licenses Could Empower Taliban, Lawmaker Says
The Treasury Department’s new “dangerous” humanitarian-related general licenses for Afghanistan lack oversight and could empower the Taliban, said Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. McCaul said the licenses are “broad sanctions carveouts” that could “reward, legitimize and enable the same Taliban that took power by force and has shown no interest in abiding by international norms.”
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“Worse yet, providing these exemptions under the guise of ‘humanitarian aid,’ and without any prior consultation with Congress, further undermines bipartisan support and faith in the administration’s transparency and decision making,” McCaul said in a statement Dec. 22, adding that Congress should be allowed to conduct oversight over the administration’s foreign assistance efforts. “I remain deeply frustrated that the administration still can’t confirm what assistance programs have been restarted.” A Treasury spokesperson didn’t comment.
The licenses issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control last week authorize certain transactions and activities by the U.S. government, international organizations and nongovernmental organizations with the Taliban, the Haqqani Network or any entities they own by 50% or more. OFAC also issued a range of sanctions guidance clarifying that it won’t look to sanction humanitarian aid (see 2112220041).