The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls on April 10 issued a new white paper with a list of “commendations” and recommendations it gave to universities and research centers during visits over the last few years to check their compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. DDTC said universities and researchers can use the eight-page paper to learn about best practices and government expectations for ITAR compliance. The agency said the visits took place between 2020 and early 2024.
The Bureau of Industry and Security remains months away from resolving a temporary pause in new firearm export licenses that was supposed to expire in January, the National Shooting Sports Foundation said this week.
The Bureau of Industry and Security added 11 parties to its Entity List this week for procuring items to support Iranian drone programs, China’s military modernization efforts or Russia’s military. The additions, outlined in a final rule released April 10 and effective April 11, include technology companies, logistics firms and one person based in either China, Russia or the United Arab Emirates.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sanctioned seven people and 86 entities, according to an unofficial translation of a notice released April 4. The notice said the parties were being sanctioned to "support proposals made by the Security Service of Ukraine," and added that the country's foreign affairs ministry should "inform the competent authorities of the European Union, the United States of America and other countries about the application of sanctions and raise the issue of introducing similar restrictive measures before them."
The U.S., Australia and the U.K. are making “progress” on creating license-free defense trade among the three countries under the AUKUS partnership, they said in a joint statement this week. They also said they are considering involving Japan in the effort.
Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Mitt Romney, R-Utah, on April 9 introduced a bill that would increase resources for detecting, investigating and preventing violations of U.S. export controls.
The U.S. extended a national emergency authorizing certain sanctions against Russia, the White House said April 9. The White House said Russian efforts to undermine U.S. democratic elections, to “facilitate malicious cyber-enabled activities," to influence foreign governments, and more continue to threaten U.S. national security. The emergency was renewed for one year beyond April 15.
The U.S. has no plans to remove sanctions from Iranian technology company ArvanCloud (see 2306020020) after it was delisted by the EU earlier this month, a State Department spokesperson said.
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The Treasury Department has asked lawmakers to approve a series of proposals to help it counter terrorist groups and other bad actors that increasingly use cryptocurrency to evade financial sanctions, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said April 9.