Foreign Policy on CrossGov.com

GAO Report on Critical Minerals, BLM Should Ensure Individuals and Businesses Meet Citizenship Requirements for Hardrock Mining Claims

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Government Accountability Office examined the Bureau of Land Management’s process for mining claims on federal lands. The GAO found that the BLM rarely collected information to verify if individuals and businesses met citizenship requirements for these claims. This lack of verification meant the BLM generally did not know whether claimants were qualified to extract minerals from federal lands.

Mining Claim Citizenship Issues

The Bureau of Land Management administers mining claims for hardrock minerals on federal lands. U.S. mining laws require mining claimants to be U.S. citizens or business entities incorporated in a U.S. state or territory. Foreign entities cannot hold claims, but their subsidiaries can if incorporated in the U.S. BLM does not collect citizenship information from claimants. The agency does not document whether claimants meet U.S. citizenship requirements. GAO analyzed 15 mining claimants that appeared to be business entities. The analysis found evidence that seven of these claimants were not incorporated in the U.S. BLM lacked the necessary information to verify incorporation status.

CRS Report on Foreign Relations Reauthorization, Background and Issues

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Congressional Research Service report on Foreign Relations Reauthorization covers the constitutional powers of Congress to provide funding and authorize programs related to foreign policy. This report highlights how Congress uses authorizing bills to address policies, make changes, and establish reporting requirements, emphasizing the role of congressional committees in budgetary decisionmaking.

Congressional Powers and Appropriations

Congress has the power to provide funding, authorize programs, and oversee foreign policy implementation as outlined in the Constitution. To manage these powers effectively, Congress passes laws requiring that appropriations for foreign affairs be authorized before spending can occur. This includes specific sections of law such as Section 504(a)(1) from the National Security Act of 1947, Section 15 from the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, and others. These laws help Congress control how foreign affairs are funded and managed by setting guidelines for spending and oversight.

GAO Report on Research Security, NIH Action Needed to Strengthen Foreign Interference Risk Management

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) implementation of federal research security requirements and found that NIH has implemented 14 out of 15 requirements. However, GAO noted that NIH may not identify risks when relevant information is not required to be disclosed or is left out, as it relies heavily on self-reported disclosures from researchers and institutions.

NIH Implements Most Research Security Requirements

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has implemented 14 out of the 15 federal research security requirements that help protect extramural research from foreign interference. These requirements cover areas like disclosing affiliations, preventing talent recruitment by foreign entities, training researchers, and sharing information about collaborations. NIH works with other agencies to implement one remaining requirement related to certification of research security programs. However, NIH relies mainly on self-reported information from researchers and institutions, which can miss risks if not all relevant past affiliations or collaborations are disclosed.

OFAC Sanctions Rwandan Defense Ministry Over M23 and 11 Facilitators of North Korean IT Worker Fraud

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control added 13 names to the SDN list on October 28 in two separate actions. Ten people and one company tied to North Korea’s overseas IT worker schemes were designated. So were Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence and a Rwandan savings society that pays for the army backing the M23 rebels in eastern Congo.

The two cases have nothing in common on the ground. What links them is the tool. Both rest on executive orders, both block any property under US jurisdiction, and both came out of Treasury on the same afternoon without a vote in Congress.

Pentagon Inspector General Declines Bipartisan Senate Request to Investigate Starlink and Starshield Disruptions in Ukraine

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Defense Department’s inspector general has turned down a request from nine senators, four Republicans and five Democrats, to investigate this month’s disruptions to Starlink and Starshield satellite service in Ukraine. In a reply dated October 27, the watchdog said the questions were better answered by the department itself, and pointed the senators to the Air Force. A spokeswoman for the office said it could reconsider if new information comes to light.

Treasury Sanctions a Greek Law Firm Behind Iran Shadow Fleet Ships as FinCEN Issues Its First Subpoena to a European Bank

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Treasury Department sanctioned a Greek and Panamanian law firm on October 21, 2026, for registering the shipping companies behind Iran’s shadow fleet. The same day it disclosed that FinCEN had used its Bank Secrecy Act subpoena power for the first time to dig into a Greek bank’s possible ties to Iran.

Both moves are part of Operation Economic Outcast, the campaign Treasury launched on August 24 to cut Iran off from the financial system. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent put the message bluntly: “if you are supporting the Iranian regime, we will find you and sanction you.”

OFAC Hits Iran Offshore Banks, a Cartel del Noreste Racetrack and Chinese Firms Tied to Google Trade Secret Theft in One Week

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control packed a wide spread of actions into October 13 to 19: Iranian offshore banks, a Mexican cartel’s racetrack, a Bank of America settlement and a fresh use of a 2023 law against trade secret theft.

Together they show how many separate legal authorities Washington now runs at once. Every designation below rests on an executive order or an existing statute. None needed a vote.

Russian Sanctions Relief Exposes a Collision Between Energy Policy and Congressional Intent

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

President Donald Trump’s decision to waive key new restrictions on Russia has turned a dispute over diesel supplies into a broader confrontation over how American foreign policy is made. Congress approved legislation intended to increase pressure on Moscow, and Trump signed it last month. He has now waived important sanctions and tariff provisions before their implementation, while separately pursuing additional Russian diesel supplies. The backlash crosses party lines because the reversal raises an uncomfortable question: how much practical force does a congressional sanctions policy retain when the executive immediately chooses to suspend its central measures?

Japan's Prime Minister Calls the US Military Curfew 'Insufficient' After the Okinawa Killing as Pressure Builds to Revise the Status of Forces Agreement

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on October 13 that the curfew US forces imposed on Okinawa after a local woman was killed is “insufficient.” She said Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi had made “very strong requests” to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and to the US ambassador, George Glass.

Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, a Marine based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, was arrested on October 4 over the killing of Anna Yagi, 39, at a hotel in Naha on October 3. He denies the charges. The case went to prosecutors on October 5. No charges have been announced. Stars and Stripes has obtained security footage that appears to show him near the victim on October 2.

State Department Restricts US Officials' Use of Saudi Airports as the Houthis Threaten Aramco and US Interests

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

On October 13 the State Department began requiring US government employees to get special authorization before using any airport in Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities suspended operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh through October 17, after a Houthi strike there on October 10 killed at least 13 people, including a US citizen.

The President still hasn’t said whether the US will join Saudi strikes on the Houthis in Yemen. “The Houthis are behaving very badly,” he posted on October 13, adding that he had spoken to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He said he “might” ask Turkey’s President Erdoğan, “a great friend,” to help.

Trump Says a Decision on Iran Is Coming 'Very Soon' as Axios Reports Strike Talks With Netanyahu and the White House Denies Pre-Election Plans

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

“We’ll make a decision on Iran very soon,” the President told reporters at the White House on October 13 before leaving for Alaska. He called Iran a “failed state,” said the war would end “very soon” and oil prices would fall after, and said the November midterms have “no impact” on his approach. At a rally in Ohio he said: “Wait until you see what we do to Iran. We’re going to do a number.”

Trump Says the Ukraine Energy Ceasefire Is Holding as Kyiv Reports Six Energy Sites Hit and Lavrov Rejects Any Pause

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The President insisted on October 13 that the energy ceasefire he announced two days earlier is in force. The two sides “agreed,” he said. “Because I said, ‘You agree.’” He acknowledged violations “on both sides.”

Volodymyr Zelensky said the opposite. “Today alone, the Russians have attacked 6 energy facilities in Ukraine. 33 people were wounded,” he said. He said Ukraine had made no strikes on Russian refineries overnight and was ready to sign guarantees. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Zelensky does not “deserve a respite” and that Russia’s “special military operation” will continue. The Kremlin’s spokesman said only that “contacts are ongoing.”

Bessent Skips the IMF Meetings in Bangkok During the US G20 Presidency as Warren Presses Him on 5% Treasury Yields