On April 14, President Obama notified Congress of his intent to rescind Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SSOT), issued in March 1982, saying the Cuban government “has not provided any support for...more
On March 9, 2015, following failed diplomatic efforts to bring Venezuela in line with its human rights commitments under international law, President Obama issued an Executive Order (E.O.) declaring Venezuela a national...more
On February 26, 2015, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) released its annual report to Congress summarizing its activities in 2013. CFIUS is an inter-agency committee that reviews the national...more
On February 23, 2015, the Department of Energy (DOE) released a long-awaited final rule overhauling its Part 810 Regulations (10 C.F.R. Part 810) governing the export of certain nuclear technology and assistance. Effective on...more
In recent years, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has acted to thwart or constrain various foreign investments in U.S. businesses. However, other similar investments have been permitted to...more
On January 15, 2015, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) released regulatory amendments implementing the Cuba...more
On December 30, 2014, the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued long-awaited frequently asked questions (FAQs) and related answers in an attempt to provide guidance on restrictions on crude oil...more
Last week, the U.S. Congress passed S. 2142 (the “Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014”) and presented the legislation to President Obama for signature. White House officials have indicated that...more
On Saturday, the U.S. Congress passed the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014 (H.R. 5859), which, once signed by the president, will impose or authorize broad sanctions on Russia’s energy and defense sectors and increase...more
On December 11, 2014, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) released new guidance related to existing U.S. sanctions against Russian entities designated on the Sectoral Sanctions...more
A recent decision by the D.C. Circuit has prompted much speculation about possible changes to the traditionally opaque and secretive national security review process administered by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the...more
As previously reported on Speaking Energy (available here), the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has recently indicated that it is willing to work with U.S. energy companies to navigate...more
A recent decision by the D.C. Circuit has prompted much speculation about possible changes to the traditionally opaque and secretive national security review process administered by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the...more