Foreign policy

President Revokes All Lebanon Aircraft Security Determinations

1 min read2 days ago

All prohibitions on aircraft to and from Lebanon are lifted, effective immediately per the September 30, 2026 presidential determination.

Foreign policy

President Extends Syria National Emergency for One Year

1 min read3 days ago

The emergency declared in 2019 under IEEPA is extended through October 14, 2027, affecting all actions governed by the order.

Foreign policy

OFAC bans indirect financial dealings with Cuba Restricted List entities

1 min read5 days ago

Effective Sept. 30 2026, the rule applies to all persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction

Foreign policy

OFAC amends Iran sanctions rules to implement EO 13902

1 min read5 days ago

Effective Sep. 30, 2026, the final rule adds exemptions and a new definition for U.S. persons under 31 CFR part 560

Foreign policy

OFAC adds Cuba Sanctions Regulations to 31 CFR Part 516

1 min read5 days ago

U.S. persons and entities must comply with the new Cuba sanctions rules effective September 30, 2026.

Economy

OFAC Publishes Seven Updated Venezuela Sanctions General Licenses

1 min read5 days ago

U.S. persons and entities dealing with Venezuelan-origin oil, petrochemicals, and related services must comply with the new licenses effective June 10, 2026.

Foreign policy

OFAC Publishes Updated Venezuela Sanctions General Licenses

1 min read5 days ago

Eight general licenses, effective Aug. 27 2026, replace prior authorizations and apply to U.S. entities dealing with Venezuelan oil, petrochemicals and diluents.

Law

OFAC Publishes General License 2 for Wind-Down of CCU Bank Transactions

1 min read5 days ago

The license, issued June 23, 2026, authorizes wind-down transactions involving CCU Commercial Bank Plc through 12:01 a.m. EDT July 23, 2026.

Economy

OFAC Publishes General License 5W for PDVSA 2020 Bond Transactions

1 min read5 days ago

The license authorizes U.S. persons to engage in transactions involving the PDVSA 2020 8.5% bond beginning June 19, 2026.

Foreign policy

State Takes Over Foreign Assistance Amid Data Gaps and Guidance Shortfall

1 min read5 days ago

State now manages $52.1 billion in active foreign assistance after USAID terminated $79.1 billion in obligations, but lacks full staffing data and guidance.

Foreign policy

OFAC Publishes Seven New Venezuela Sanctions General Licenses

1 min read5 days ago

The licenses, issued between March and May 2026, authorize specified transactions for U.S. persons and others under the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations.

Oversight

GAO urges State to mandate annual Global Repositioning Exercise for visa staffing

1 min readSeptember 28, 2026

The recommendation targets the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs and takes effect upon agency action.

Law

OFAC adds Sanctions Penalties Regulations to 31 CFR Part 505

1 min readSeptember 25, 2026

The new regulations, effective September 25, 2026, bind all persons and entities subject to OFAC sanctions with consolidated penalty guidance.

Energy

G20 Energy Ministers Endorse Clean Cooking and Infrastructure Commitments in Houston

1 min readSeptember 25, 2026

G20 member nations and participating agencies are bound by the Houston agreements starting September 14, 2026.

Oversight

State Dept urged to tighten anti-terrorism oversight for West Bank aid

1 min readSeptember 23, 2026

The State Department must finalize anti-terrorism policies for West Bank and Gaza assistance, with oversight to begin after July 2025.

Foreign policy

OFAC Publishes General License 2 for DRC and Rwanda Transactions

1 min readSeptember 23, 2026

The general license, issued July 10, 2026, authorizes U.S. persons to export agricultural, medical and related items to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.

Foreign policy

OFAC adds new designation to SDN List under EO 13902

1 min readSeptember 23, 2026

U.S. persons must block property of the newly listed individual effective September 14, 2026

Law

OFAC Publishes Iran Web General Licenses Y and Z

1 min readSeptember 23, 2026

The licenses authorize wind-down and safety transactions for Smart Global Limited and listed blocked persons and vessels through August 9 2026 and September 12 2026.

Foreign policy

OFAC removes five Ethiopia sanctions designations

1 min readSeptember 23, 2026

Two individuals and three entities previously blocked under Ethiopia sanctions are delisted effective September 18 2026.

Economy

OFAC adds new digital-asset actors to SDN list

1 min readSeptember 22, 2026

U.S. persons are barred from dealing with the newly designated individuals as of September 17 2026.

Elsewhere

What other outlets are reporting on this beat. We link out; we do not republish.

‘A Republic, if you can keep it’: We served presidents from both parties and have never been so concerned about election security
On this, the year of America’s 250-year history, we are facing the most serious threat to our system of “we the people” government since 1860. We are watching our constitutional republic in America move incrementally but steadily from self-governance toward authoritarian governance. We say this because the very foundation of democracy — the ability to hold valid, trusted elections — is being threatened. A brief history. During the months before the 2020 Presidential election, President Trump repeatedly told audiences that if he lost it was because the election was rigged. After the election, and throughout January 2021, we discovered how far he was willing to go to overturn the election, refusing to accept the decision of the American voter, including: He asked the Georgia Secretary of State to “find 11,780 votes” to change Georgia’s result. Republican Brad Raffensperger refused. He wanted the Michigan vote counting to stop because he was ahead in the beginning of the pivotal state but lost it as the count continued, and pressured officials not to certify the result in the days after the election. Republican officials refused to comply. He urged his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol to prevent Congress and Vice President Mike Pence from carrying out their constitutional duty to certify the 2020 result. Only Vice President Pence’s courage to put country over party prevented America from suffering its first failed election in its nearly 250-year history. Trump now wants to pay those attackers from a highly questionable fund created to pay supposed victims of alleged weaponization of the legal system. It is worth noting that President Trump considered the 2016 and 2024 elections error-free — undoubtedly because he won them. In the last 18 months, various actions of the Trump Administration led us and others to fear that it will not accept and allow a losing result in the 2026 congressional elections. Those actions include: 1. On his first day in office in 2025, Pres
Fortune 15 hours ago
Federal Movers & Shakers | October 2, 2026
Here are some of the federal government’s top recent personnel changes, brought to you by our partners at Leadership Connect: Christian Jové Ehrhardt has a new position as Ambassador (Designate) at Office of the U.S. Ambassador to Cameroon, U.S. Embassy in Cameroon, United States Department of State [DOS] Presidential Appointment with Senate Confirmation (PAS) Recently: Regional Security Officer at Office of the U.S. Ambassador to Algeria, U.S. Embassy in Algeria, United States Department of State (2023 – 2025) MG Michelle A. Link, USAR has a new position as Portfolio Management Executive, Combat Sustainment at Portfolio Management Executive Combat Sustainment [PME Combat Sustainment], Office of the Under Secretary of the Army, United States Department of the Army [USA] Recently: Deputy Capability Portfolio Executive at Deputy Capability Program Executive Ground Combat Platforms, Office of the Under Secretary of the Army, United States Department of the Army (2024 – 2026) VADM Elizabeth “Seiko” Okano, USN has a new position as Assistant Secretary (Acting) at Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) [ASN RDA], Under Secretary of the Navy, United States Department of the Navy [DON] Presidential Appointment with Senate Confirmation (PAS) Note: VADM Elizabeth Okano is performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary. Recently: Commander at Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, United States Department of the Navy (2024 – 2025) William F. Mahan has a new position as Under Secretary (Acting) at Under Secretary of the Navy, Office of the Secretary of the Navy [SECNAV], United States Department of the Navy [DON] Presidential Appointment with Senate Confirmation (PAS) Note: William F. Mahan is performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy. Recently: Acting Assistant Secretary at Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition), Under Secretary of the Navy, United States Departme
Federal News Network 3 days ago
State Department appeals board, now with limited authority, gains new members
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently appointed 14 members to the Foreign Service Grievance Board, keeping the appeals board running with a full roster. Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images The State Department is putting a new slate of individuals in charge of a panel that weighs the appeals of Foreign Service employees challenging firings and other disciplinary measures. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently appointed 14 members to the Foreign Service Grievance Board, keeping the appeals board running with a full roster. The board was half-staffed before these appointments, and the terms for all previous board members expired on Sept. 30.The board’s former chairman warned Rubio in July that without new appointees, it would “cease to function” in fiscal 2027. The Foreign Service Grievance Board, created under the 1980 Foreign Service Act, can reverse disciplinary measures and reinstate Foreign Service employees who face termination if the board deems there is insufficient evidence for the State Department to justify those actions. The Trump administration, however, recently undermined some of the board’s authority to challenge employee removals and other adverse personnel actions. The Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel, in a legal opinion released in August, determined that the board violated the Appointments Clause of the Constitution because it had “unreviewable authority" over the secretary of state. DOJ wrote in a press release that the Foreign Service Grievance Board may continue to hear grievances, but that the secretary of state “will retain final decision-making authority, as the Constitution requires.” One of the board’s new members, Trenton Douthett, wrote on LinkedIn that the board’s work “matters because the people who serve overseas, often in difficult conditions and far from home, need confidence that disputes about their employment will be resolved fairly, impartially, and on the record.” The American Foreign Service Association said in a
Government Executive 3 days ago
U.S. GAO - State Department: Fly America Act’s Effects on Travel Costs and Personnel Experience
Skip to main content Fast Facts The Fly America Act requires that all air travel funded by the U.S. government must use an airline owned by an American company—even when a foreign airline offers a cheaper ticket. The requirement increases the State Department's travel costs by an estimated $0.7-$1.5 million annually. And it presents challenges for State personnel—for example, during mandatory evacuations when booking a flight on short notice can be difficult. State can waive this requirement for its employees or their family members if, for instance, a U.S. airline doesn't offer the needed flight or there's a medical need. Group of people are walking on the tarmac of an airport. One of the people is carrying a baby near airplane in fog Skip to Highlights Highlights What GAO Found The Fly America Act requires that, except under certain circumstances, all air travel funded by the U.S. government use a U.S.-flag air carrier service—which is generally provided by a U.S. airline or under a code share agreement with a foreign air carrier. GAO found that the Act increases State Department travel costs by an estimated $0.7 million to $1.5 million annually—about 1 to 2 percent of the $69 million State spent on air travel in fiscal year (FY) 2025. To derive this estimate, GAO analyzed a generalizable sample of simulated international travel itineraries for FY 2026. This sample consisted of 1,000 ticket pairs, each containing the least expensive unrestricted fare and most direct flight available for an Act-compliant ticket and -noncompliant ticket. For 5 percent of ticket pairs, GAO estimated that the Act increases State’s costs (reflecting both fare and travel time) by an average of $455 per ticket. For an additional 12 percent of ticket pairs, GAO estimated that the Act does not affect State’s costs. For the remaining 83 percent of ticket pairs, the Act’s effects on cost are uncertain because they are subject to assumptions about airline pricing strategies, among other facto
GAO reports 4 days ago
U.S. GAO - Foreign Assistance: Agencies Made Broad Changes, but State Lacked Guidance for Decisions
Fast Facts The U.S. provides foreign assistance to help countries and populations in need. The U.S. Agency for International Development has historically provided the most assistance of any agency, but a 2025 executive order ended USAID operations. The State Department took over USAID’s remaining programs. But State doesn't have documented guidance to ensure that its decisions about foreign assistance are consistent and effective. State also lacks complete and accurate data about foreign assistance awards, grants, and staffing. Such data is key to making informed funding and program decisions. Our recommendations address these issues. USAID food delivery in Ukraine. A worker uses a forklift to load food onto a truck. Skip to Highlights Highlights What GAO Found In response to multiple executive orders issued beginning in January 2025, selected agencies have made changes, some significant, to their foreign assistance programming and staffing. Eight of the nine agencies included in GAO’s review decreased funding (e.g., obligations) for foreign assistance awards. One agency did not decrease the number of awards but has been unable to disburse funds to awardees since January 2025. Most notably, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) terminated approximately 6,780 of 7,510 awards between January 2025 and March 2026, according to State data. The value of obligations of the terminated awards from their beginning until March 2026 was $79.1 billion. The remaining active awards, now managed by State, represented about $52.1 billion as of March 2026. The Europe and Eurasia region had the highest dollar value of terminated awards but still has the highest dollar value of remaining active USAID awards. (see figure) State announced that USAID ceased administering foreign assistance awards as of July 1, 2025. Value of USAID Terminated and Active Awards by Region, March 2026 Note: Funding represents cumulative obligations from 2015 through March 2026 or the award ter
GAO reports 5 days ago
Missouri pols demand immunity over Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting posts
A man mistakenly identified as the shooter claims Missouri Senator Rick Brattin and Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins falsely identified him as a violent illegal immigrant on social media.ST. LOUIS (CN) — Two Missouri officials asked the Eighth Circuit on Thursday to grant them qualified immunity for social media posts related to a shooting at the 2024 Super Bowl parade for the Kansas City Chiefs.Missouri Senator Rick Brattin and Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, who was a senator at the time of the posts, argued they are covered by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, a federal law that protects internet websites, platforms, and users from being treated as the publisher or speaker of content provided by other people.Denton Loudermill filed an invasion of privacy lawsuit against the politicians due to social media posts made in the aftermath of the shooting. Hoskins and Brattin reposted a picture of Loudermill in handcuffs following the shooting on Feb. 14, 2024, that falsely named him as the shooter. Brattin and Hoskins added statements about violent illegal immigrants to their reposts, which Loudermill claims falsely painted him as such.Police released Loudermill after 10 minutes, realizing that he had nothing to do with the shooting.Loudermill, who claims he received death threats due to Hoskins’ and Brattin’s posts, died while the suits were pending, but his sister, Reba Paul, was substituted as his personal representative.A federal judge ruled in Paul’s favor in both suits, prompting the appeal.“Of course, Congress I think was trying to protect speech on the internet when it passed Section 230,” said William Rogers, a Washington University in St. Louis law student representing Loudermill’s estate. “The best indication of what Congress intends to do that is the text of statute. The text of statute doesn’t say anything about immunity, and of course, Congress doesn’t pursue any policy goal at all costs.”The crux of the decision m
Courthouse News September 24, 2026
Green Card Lottery hangs in limbo as 2027 registration window shrinks
SAN DIEGO (CN) — The State Department announced last year the start date for the 2027 diversity visa lottery would come at some later date. But almost a year later, no date has been announced.The Trump administration’s pause on the visa lottery program for immigrants shows its contempt for the constitutional process, former Connecticut Congressman Bruce Morrison, a key proponent of the 1990 Immigration Act, which established the program, says.“The debate is not whether you like diversity or whether a diversity visa immigrant has done something bad,” Morrison told Courthouse News. “The debate is if you want to change the law, change the constitutional structure. That’s true whether I like the program or hate the program.”“This is not a mistake. This is an example of thumbing your nose at the law," he added.The Trump administration has directed the government to pause the program, following deadly shootings at Brown University and MIT in late 2025. Proponents of the diversity visa lottery program, such as Morrison, have described the administration’s pause as a de facto cancellation of the program.The diversity visa lottery, often referred to as the Green Card Lottery, randomly selects people from eligible countries to apply for permanent residency in the U.S. But the lottery process, which can take more than a year, is in uncharted territory since the Trump administration has not reopened the program to new applicants.The program has provided up to 55,000 diversity visas to noncitizen applicants every year.The registration period for new applicants is historically scheduled during the first week of October.Red Eagle Law owner and founder Curtis Morrison (unrelated to Bruce Morrison) accused the administration of gaslighting his firm into believing the program was still on track to begin up until the last possible moment. He says that the administration’s failure to open the registration period for fiscal year 2027 has negatively affected his clients and business.Red
Courthouse News September 23, 2026
U.S. GAO - West Bank and Gaza: State Should Incorporate Leading Practices and Lessons Learned into Anti-Terrorism Oversight
Fast Facts Since 1993, the U.S. has provided over $7.8 billion in aid to the West Bank and Gaza. The U.S. Agency for International Development largely provided this assistance until July 2025, when most programs ended. The State Department manages the few remaining programs—including support for the East Jerusalem Hospital Network—and will oversee future aid. However, State hasn't determined which of its offices will be responsible for future assistance. It also hasn't finalized its policies and procedures to prevent this assistance from being diverted to terrorism. Our recommendations address these issues. U.S.-Funded Training for East Jerusalem Hospital Network Nurses from the East Jerusalem Hospital Network participate in fundamentals of Intensive Care Unit and emergency care training. Skip to Highlights Highlights What GAO Found The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) allocated $624 million in Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance for the West Bank and Gaza for fiscal years (FY) 2022-2024. This assistance funded 37 prime awards for sectors including water infrastructure and education, as well as debt relief payments to a Palestinian Authority creditor. With a few exceptions, USAID complied with its anti-terrorism policies and procedures. State took over administration of this ESF funding from USAID in July 2025. All 37 awards have ended except for support to the East Jerusalem Hospital Network. U.S.-Funded Neonatal Intensive Care Training for East Jerusalem Hospital Network State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) is managing the remaining USAID activities in the West Bank and Gaza. Congress appropriated ESF funding in FY 2025 and National Security Investment Programs (NSIP) funding in FY 2026 that State can use for the West Bank and Gaza if oversight requirements are met. Officials told GAO that State’s planning had identified potential early recovery and economic development programming for West Bank and Gaza, but State has not yet determine
GAO reports September 23, 2026

Newsletter

What the federal government did today, and what it changes - with the document behind every item.

Federal Reserve publishes change-in-control notice for Shnaider Family Trust acquisition

SEC Sets Deadline for Hearing on SLR BDC Share-Class Exemption

Nasdaq proposes written clearing affirmation for Night Session trades

Nasdaq MRX adopts immediate rule change to reflect Nasdaq Texas name

Foreign policy

President Revokes All Lebanon Aircraft Security Determinations

President Extends Syria National Emergency for One Year

OFAC bans indirect financial dealings with Cuba Restricted List entities

OFAC amends Iran sanctions rules to implement EO 13902

OFAC adds Cuba Sanctions Regulations to 31 CFR Part 516

OFAC Publishes Seven Updated Venezuela Sanctions General Licenses

OFAC Publishes Updated Venezuela Sanctions General Licenses

OFAC Publishes General License 2 for Wind-Down of CCU Bank Transactions

OFAC Publishes General License 5W for PDVSA 2020 Bond Transactions

State Takes Over Foreign Assistance Amid Data Gaps and Guidance Shortfall

OFAC Publishes Seven New Venezuela Sanctions General Licenses

GAO urges State to mandate annual Global Repositioning Exercise for visa staffing

OFAC adds Sanctions Penalties Regulations to 31 CFR Part 505

G20 Energy Ministers Endorse Clean Cooking and Infrastructure Commitments in Houston

State Dept urged to tighten anti-terrorism oversight for West Bank aid

OFAC Publishes General License 2 for DRC and Rwanda Transactions

OFAC adds new designation to SDN List under EO 13902

OFAC Publishes Iran Web General Licenses Y and Z

OFAC removes five Ethiopia sanctions designations

OFAC adds new digital-asset actors to SDN list