In this issue:

- US and EU continue sanctions against Russia for its activity in Ukraine;

- US and EU sanctions against the Crimea region;

- US makes major change in Cuban relations;

- The EU extends its sanctions programs for Syria;

- US Enforcement Actions;

- US sanctions target terrorists abroad;

- OFAC sanctions target drug-trafficking operations in Central and South America.

- Excerpt from US and EU continue sanctions against Russia for its activity in Ukraine:

Russia-Related Sanctions for Q4 of 2014 -

This quarter saw the continuance of sanctions pressure on Russia from both the US and EU, in further attempts to dissuade Moscow from supporting rebels in eastern Ukraine. The US and EU have so far sought to coordinate their sanction regimes, but disunity may be on the horizon. While US lawmakers appear poised to double-down on sanctions against Russia, some European leaders are more reticent, citing the economic connectedness between Russia and Europe. Russia faces an imminent recession due to depressed oil prices and western sanctions.