The Trump Administration, led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, citing her “unabashed antisemitism” and biased actions. The sanctions follow her criticisms of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, including her description of the war as a “genocide” and calls for an arms embargo against Israel. Rubio accused Albanese of expressing support for terrorism, contempt for the United States, Israel, and the West, as well as attempting to pressure major companies through the International Criminal Court. This action mirrors the administration’s previous sanctions against International Criminal Court officials.
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Ukrainian President Zelensky publicly confirmed Western restrictions on targeting Russian energy infrastructure, despite Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid. This confirmation, reinforced by Deputy Prime Minister Svyrydenko, reveals pressure on Kyiv to avoid destabilizing global energy markets. Ukraine paused strikes on Russian refineries for 45 days before the U.S. election, suggesting a politically motivated compromise. This highlights a key tension within the alliance: balancing support for Ukraine’s self-defense with managing potential global economic repercussions of escalation.
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Latvia’s parliament has passed amendments to its National Security Law, prohibiting Russian and Belarusian citizens from working in or providing services to the country’s critical infrastructure, defined as facilities essential to public health, safety, and national well-being. The law bars these citizens from accessing sensitive data or systems within this infrastructure, with exceptions requiring special authorization. Furthermore, Russian and Belarusian individuals and companies are prohibited from owning or benefiting from critical infrastructure, including management roles. This legislation mandates loyalty to Latvia and prohibits support for actors threatening democratic nations, mirroring similar, albeit broader, vehicle restrictions recently implemented by Lithuania.
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John Q. Hosedrinker