Europe

The US government is moving to expand sanctions on Russia and Syria, even as a new poll finds the majority of the US public opposes sanctions that harm civilians.

Ecuador’s president Daniel Noboa is facing a series of challenges, including an ongoing internal security crisis, questions around his economic reform plans, and concerns over new military cooperation with the US.

In this edition: House passes bill to kill agreement unfreezing $6 billion for humanitarian use in Iran, and much more.

In this edition: a new World Bank report finds that sanctions helped drive a massive jump in poverty and a “lost decade” of economic growth in Iran, and much more.

Sanctions and funding gaps hamper aid and recovery efforts after deadly earthquakes rock Afghanistan;

This month marked one year since President Biden announced the creation of the Afghan Fund, a trust that holds $3.5 billion in Afghan central bank assets that were frozen by the United States following the Taliban takeover.

In the August 2023 edition of Sanctions Watch, aid shortfalls, drought, and sanctions take their toll on Afghanistan. And the peso hits an all-time low amid a deepening economic crisis in Cuba, plus other updates.

The House of Representatives passes an amendment that would block future sanctions relief for Afghanistan; EU and Latin American leaders condemn Cuba embargo as sanctions fuel Havana water shortages; and more.

Sanctions Watch June 2023: Hunger rises in Afghanistan; Caribbean leaders call for Cuba sanctions lifting; Indirect talks raise hope for Iran sanctions relief; North Korea tests missiles due to US-South Korea exercises; EU unveils 11th Russia sanctions; Concerns over Syria crisis, Venezuela strategy, and impact of sanctions voiced by commentators.