The European Commission moved forward with guidance this week on its COVID-19 recovery and resilience efforts. The United Kingdom (UK) continues to prepare for its transition out of the European Union (EU) at the end of the year, while talks continue between the two sides. Trade negotiations between the United States (US) and UK also … Continue Reading
Over the past two weeks, the European Union (EU) saw the resignation of its EU Trade Commissioner, increased tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, and several EU countries received a high-level Chinese delegation. The United States (US) and EU also achieved a tariff reducing deal on American lobsters and other products. Meanwhile, transatlantic attention remains focused … Continue Reading
During a recent internal public policy practice call, we discussed the strategic importance of the Middle East. In a subsequent call, I had an opportunity to share my thoughts looking ahead at a confluence of factors that would impact the region and the rest of the world. Listen to my analysis here. … Continue Reading
The European Union’s (EU) Foreign Affairs Council met this past week and focused on concerns with respect to the Eastern Mediterranean, Libya and Hong Kong. This week’s report provides a readout of some of these discussions, as well as the United States’ (US) perspective on the Eastern Mediterranean region and Libya. The United Kingdom (UK) … Continue Reading
The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) is requesting comments for newly initiated Section 301 investigations on digital services tax (DST) adopted or under consideration by Austria, Brazil, the Czech Republic, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Comments are due by July 15. On June 2, USTR announced … Continue Reading
Turmoil on America’s streets has become the primary focus of attention for the White House in recent days, marking a pivot away from the around-the-clock pandemic response posture that characterized the Trump Administration’s activity this spring. President Donald Trump and his top advisors are reportedly set to meet in the coming days to begin the … Continue Reading
President Donald Trump departed Washington Friday afternoon for Riyadh, kicking off a nine-day trip with stops in Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Europe. According to National Security Advisor Gen. H.R. McMaster, who previewed the President’s trip, the trip has three core purposes: (1) reaffirm U.S. global leadership; (2) continue building key relationships with world leaders; and … Continue Reading
President Donald Trump signed two Executive Orders last Thursday, one related to strengthening the cybersecurity of federal networks and critical infrastructure and the other related to establishing a presidential advisory commission on election integrity. He also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday, discussing Syria, Ukraine, and other topics. President Trump fired Director … Continue Reading
Combatting ISIL – Syria and Iraq Crises After Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet over its territory last Tuesday, President Barack Obama maintained Turkey had a right to defend its airspace. He spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that day, expressing U.S. and NATO support for Turkey’s right to defend its sovereignty. The two … Continue Reading
Executive and Legislative Branch Activity Iran On February 6, Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control introduced the Foreign Sanctions Evaders List (FSE List) to identify foreign persons sanctioned under Executive Order 13608 – Prohibiting Certain Transactions with and Suspending Entry into the United States of Foreign Sanctions Evaders with Respect to Iran and Syria. Eighteen … Continue Reading
