Category: International Conflict
UK intelligence spun 2013 Syria chemical attack, leaked docs show
US officials suppressed internal assessments that Al Qaeda’s Syrian wing had an “advanced” sarin production cell even as the US publicly blamed the Assad government for a 2013 chemical weapons attack, a report reveals. Leaked documents obtained by The Grayzone show a shadowy British intelligence contractor helped sell the story that Assad was responsible – and nearly triggered Western intervention. On September 13, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh published a US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) appraisal detailing the chemical…
War crimes tribunal ICC says it has been hacked
The International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Tuesday its computer system had been hacked, a breach at one of the world’s most high-profile international institutions and one that handles highly sensitive information about war crimes. The ICC said it had detected unusual activity on its computer network at the end of last week, prompting a response that was still ongoing. A spokesperson declined to comment on how serious the hack was, whether it has been fully resolved, or who might…
NYT: Evidence Suggests Ukraine Carried Out Missile Strike on Ukrainian Market Which They Blamed Russia
Ukrainian forces carried out a missile strike on a market in eastern Ukraine and then falsely blamed Russia for the attack, according to analysis from the New York Times. From The New York Times, “Evidence Suggests Ukrainian Missile Caused Market Tragedy”: The Sept. 6 missile strike on Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine was one of the deadliest in the country in months, killing at least 15 civilians and injuring more than 30 others. The weapon’s payload of metal fragments struck a…
BAE to Explore Heavy-Lift Civilian Hybrid Airship for Military Role
BAE Systems and Hybrid Air Vehicles have agreed to jointly explore a long-range hybrid airship system for security and defense applications. Hybrid’s Airlander 10 will be trialed for new ways of communication and intelligence gathering, according to BAE. It is an “alternative sustainable and cost-effective solution to air logistics and intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities,” according to Hybrid. It complements “today’s networks of air, space, and surface systems.” Heavy-Lift, High-Endurance Aircraft The Airlander 10 can stay airborne for up to…
Expropriation and other recent measures aimed at foreign investors in Russia
As a reaction to the international sanctions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian government enacted several economic retaliatory measures that could significantly impair foreign investments in Russia or contracts concluded with Russian companies. Below, we outline the various measures currently discussed and/or already in force and provide you with information on investment protection and related legal instruments at your disposal if you are affected by these measures. The situation regarding the various measures in force or in preparation…
Ramifications under trade credit & political risk insurance policies for insured’s decision to voluntarily cease business operations within a country
The ongoing imposition of sanctions against Russia arising from the attack upon Ukraine creates a number of significant issues for insurers which have written trade credit and/or political risk insurance policies. Even where sanctions have not forbidden companies’ business in Russia, many companies have voluntarily chosen to withdraw from the Russian market, in whole or in part. Companies which have voluntarily decided to withdraw from Russia are finding that their Russian counterparties are deeming the voluntary withdrawal to be…
European council and UK government announce new Russia sanctions
On 15 March 2022, the European Council introduced a fourth package of sanctions against Russia. The move follows an informal meeting attended by EU heads of state and government on 10-11 March. The sanctions target entities and individuals. Measures include: Bans on: Transactions with certain state-owned companies which are already subject to refinancing restrictions Providing credit rating services (and access to any subscription services in relation to credit rating activities) New investments in the Russian energy sector Subjecting a greater number…
Update: UK Government announces new Russia sanctions
On 06 April 2022, the UK Government announced a new package of economic sanctions against Russia. Building on the approach previously taken, the sanctions target business elites, banks and strategic industries, including iron and steel. Additionally, the Government has announced measures to undermine the capabilities of the Russian energy sector and has committed to ending all dependence on Russian oil and coal by the end of 2022, with imports of Russian gas to end as soon as possible thereafter. The…
UK announces new sanctions targeting Russian war leaders
The UK government has today (21 April 2022) announced 26 new sanctions, targeting Russian military leaders, and individuals and entities supporting the Russian military. The sanctions follow “intelligence which reveals intentional bombing of critical and civilian infrastructure in Mariupol”. The sanctions will be introduced under either the “standard” process or the “fast-track” process, with the latter being used for individuals and entities being targeted “in alignment with global partners from the G7 and the EU”. Individuals and entities sanctioned under…
