Venezuela

The US says it is fighting drugs, but its warships off Venezuela tell another story about power, control and regime change.

The UN imposes “snapback” sanctions on Iran as Congress remains divided over repeal of the Caesar Act. Trump urges Europe to tariff India and China over Russia.

Newsweek: President Trump’s escalating use of military force—abroad without war and at home against legal norms—marks a troubling move toward authoritarian rule.

CEPR condemned the Trump administration’s missile strike on a small boat in the southern Caribbean, calling it illegal, reckless, and a dramatic escalation of US militarism in the region.

The US sanctions Brazilian health officials for hosting Cuban medical missions while it urges UN to lift sanctions on Syrian president. Europeans warn of snapback sanctions on Iran.

Trump signals plans to cut Cuba’s remaining economic lifelines and threatens sanctions on Russia. Lancet Global Health study finds sanctions are as deadly as war.

Los Angeles Times: Broad economic sanctions, most of which are imposed by the US government, kill hundreds of thousands of innocent people each year — disproportionately children.

This study, published in The Lancet Global Health, estimates that unilateral sanctions were associated with an annual toll of 564,258 deaths, similar to the global mortality burden associated with armed conflict.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran derail negotiations while more action is needed to fully repeal Syria sanctions. Trump is still reluctant to sanction Russia despite pressure.

The US and EU lift broad Syria sanctions while Trump flip-flops on Venezuela and Russia sanctions policy. Nuclear talks between the US and Iran appear promising despite key differences.