International Policy
Senate bill seeks to compel national security risk analysis of economic integration with China
A bipartisan group of senators recently introduced the American Economic Independence Act, which would require the president to provide Congress with a comprehensive threat assessment of integrating economically with China. It would focus on numerous sectors, demanding analysis of both current... Read More »
DHS collaborates with European Union for transatlantic comparison of cyber incident reporting
Looking to better align approaches to cyber incidents on both sides of the Atlantic, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the European Commission’s Directorate General for Communications, Networks, Content, and Technology (DG CONNECT) recently launched a new comparison... Read More »
United States, U.K. take down international LockBit ransomware group
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced that, together with the United Kingdom, it had successfully disrupted the LockBit ransomware group, seizing its infrastructure and developing decryption capabilities for its software. The group has reportedly targeted more than 2,000... Read More »
Critical Minerals Security Act seeks to safeguard mineral supply chains against Chinese industry
Pushing to counter Chinese dominance of critical minerals, a bipartisan group of senators recently introduced the Critical Minerals Security Act to shore up what they saw as information gaps, evaluate the global supply chain and pull domestic industry away from Chinese industry. The Critical... Read More »
House Homeland Security chairs seek briefing from DHS, DEA on expanding Chinese-operated marijuana farms
Although marijuana is becoming increasingly legal state-by-state across the country, House chairs related to homeland security called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently to discuss Chinese-operated farms. These elicit farms, their... Read More »
Massachusetts delegation urges President Biden to remove Cuba from terrorism sponsor list
In a letter to President Joe Biden at the beginning of this year, senators and representatives from Massachusetts called on President Joe Biden to strike Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List, in a rebuke of Trump-era decisions. While President Barack Obama removed Cuba from that list... Read More »
Republican senators introduce Iran China Accountability Act
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), together with seven Republican colleagues, reintroduced the Iran China Accountability Act this week in a push to weaken Iran’s relationship with communist China and ensure that the United States not move forward with any nuclear agreement without congressional... Read More »
U.S. Senate Republicans press Biden administration for details on Iran sanctions waiver
Led by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), a group of 25 Republican senators wrote to secretaries within the Biden administration and pressed them for answers to the lack of a unified strategy on Iran, the country’s long-time adversary in the Middle East. Particularly grating to the lawmakers was the... Read More »
U.S., U.K. security agencies release joint guidelines for secure AI development
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the U.K. National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) recently released joint guidelines for secure AI system development. These guidelines were targeted at developers of any systems that use... Read More »
Sen. Cotton introduces No ICBMS or Drones for Iran Act to hit Iran with new sanctions
Seeking to halt aerial development, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK), echoed by U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) in the House, introduced the No ICBMS or Drones for Iran Act last week, brandishing the legislative threat of additional sanctions for the long-time American adversary. The bill was... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Lankford and Rosen lead letter to UN urging designation of Hamas as terrorist organization
In a letter to the United Nations, several United States senators this week pressed for the international body to designate the Hamas organization of Palestine as a terrorist organization following terrorist attacks on Israel in October that left hundreds dead, others kidnapped, and kicked off a... Read More »
Secret Service creates framework for transnational crime cooperation with Australian Federal Police
The U.S. Secret Service and the Australian Federal Police signed a memorandum of understanding last week creating a new basis for interagency and international collaboration and information sharing on transnational crime. “The Secret Service is honored to join our partners at the Australian... Read More »
Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act reintroduced to crack down on financial institutions connected to Iran
With the war between Hamas and Israel dragging attention on Iran once more to the fore, U.S. Reps. French Hill (R-AR) and Juan Vargas (D-CA) reintroduced the Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act this week, seeking new means to crackdown on their financial support. “The Iranian regime has... Read More »
Bipartisan Senate effort seeks to freeze $6B in Iranian assets
In a bipartisan showing last week, more than a dozen U.S. senators called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to officially freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets following Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. While Hamas rules over the Gaza Strip, it is long had a close relationship with... Read More »
U.S. to help support Israel in defense against Hamas attacks
Following weekend attacks by Hamas that caught Israel off guard and launched a declaration of war, the United States reiterated its support for its traditional Middle East ally, as fears of escalation grew. While Israel now claims its border with Gaza to be secure – three days after a Hamas... Read More »
World governments advance amendments to International Health Regulations
With more than 300 proposed amendments in hand, the Working Group of Amendments to the IHR undertook a fifth round of discussions over International Health Regulations 2005 last week, setting up a path to a consolidated proposal and further discussions. Proposed amendments considered by the... Read More »
Legislation demanding Chinese sanctions advances beyond House committee
A measure to demand sanctions on and prohibit nearly all economic interactions with blacklisted Chinese entities so targeted – the Chinese Military and Surveillance Company Sanctions Act of 2023 (H.R. 760) – advanced from the House Financial Services Committee last week. Authored by U.S.... Read More »
Rep. Barr introduces bill to enforce supervision of scientific and technological agreements between U.S. and China
Through introduction of the Science and Technology Agreement Enhanced Congressional Notification Act (H.R. 5245) last week, U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) proposed new risk assessments, human rights considerations and enforced monitoring of any scientific and technological partnership agreements... Read More »
U.S., Mexico leaders reaffirm commitment combating fentanyl, arms trafficking
Mexico government officials recently hosted a U.S. delegation to reaffirm the nations' commitment to address fentanyl and arms trafficking, as well as humanely manage migration. This month Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador joined senior Mexico government personnel in hosting a U.S.... Read More »
NTI report examines regressing nuclear security conditions
A Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) analysis maintains nuclear security conditions are regressing among the dozens of countries, as well as areas with weapons-usable nuclear materials and nuclear facilities. “The bottom line is that the countries and areas with the greatest responsibility for... Read More »
Sen. Ernst, Rep. Gallagher seek to shrink missile gap with China
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) are advocating the Pentagon devise a plan to shrink the China missile gap and strengthen Indo-Pacific deterrence. The Rings of Fire Act specifically outlines requirements for the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy no later than... Read More »
DHS details new family reunification parole processes for South American countries
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have outlined the implementation of new family reunification parole (FRP) processes for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. “These new processes promote family unity and provide lawful pathways consistent with our laws and our... Read More »
New international partnership seeks improvements to registry, sharing of medical product regulatory information
A new connection announced between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) will spur development of a common language and registry of medical product regulatory information globally. The... Read More »
DoD awards $18M in grants to 11 university teams for research into socio-political drivers of future conflicts
Last week, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced grants of $18 million for 11 university-based faculty teams researching the underlying social and political concepts that may drive future conflicts worldwide. These 11 teams were chosen from approximately 130 applicants across six... Read More »
World needs swift action if it is to ready itself for next pandemic, international security organizations say
A digital report released last week by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) | bio and the Munich Security Conference (MSC) sounded the alarm in advance of the world’s next pandemic, warning that without bold action, catastrophe will likely follow. Simply put: the world is not ready, by their... Read More »
House Homeland Security Republicans urge updates on Chinese threats to information and communications tech
In a letter sent to Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Jen Easterly this week, House House Homeland Security subcommittee leaders requested a briefing on any threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to the information and communications technology (ICT)... Read More »
China’s role in opioid trafficking under scrutiny in Congressional letter to State Department
In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) urged the Department of State to take steps to hold China accountable for the precursor chemicals used by Mexican drug cartels in the manufacture of synthetic opioids. The pair proposed... Read More »
Rep. Salazar urges DHS to bolster migration resources for Guatemalan government
U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) is urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to bolster Guatemalan government resources to address the anticipated migrant surge ahead of Title 42’s expiration. Salazar has forwarded correspondence to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the... Read More »
Justice Department details Operation SpecTor results
Justice Department officials have detailed the results of Operation SpecTor - described by authorities as a globally coordinated effort spanning three continents to disrupt dark web fentanyl and opioid trafficking. “Operation SpecTor was a coordinated international law enforcement effort,... Read More »
Lawmakers advocate U.S.-Israel missile defense program funding
A group of 41 Senators recently advocated for $500 million to be allocated to fully fund U.S.-Israel cooperative missile defense programs in the Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2024. The lawmakers have forwarded correspondence to Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman... Read More »
CBP signs supply chain security-focused arrangement with Guatemalan, Colombian customs administrations
This week, a tripartite agreement was reached between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and customs administrations in Guatemala and Colombia through a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) meant to enhance trade and economic security. The groundwork for this was laid last year when the... Read More »
WHO launches PRET initiative to ready countries for next pandemics
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a new initiative to help countries prepare the systems and capabilities to manage emerging threats. The Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats Initiative (PRET) will officially launch on April 24-26, 2023, during a global... Read More »
U.S., international security agencies publish new guidance for secure shipping by software manufacturers
In a collaborative effort, several United States security agencies joined with related authorities in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand last week to launch guidance for technology providers meant to increase security by design and default. In... Read More »
DHS, State Department seek to expand Central American Minors program
Enhancements to the Central American Minors (CAM) program would provide alternatives to perilous and irregular border migration, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State officials. The CAM program enables certain individuals in the United States to request... Read More »