Topic: Sanctions Act

Police in Ottawa used pepper spray, batons, and tactical maneuvers to clear the "Freedom Convoy" occupation. Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell committed to months of follow-up investigations, including financial sanctions and criminal charges against participants. The crackdown included the towing of dozens of vehicles and over 170 arrests.

The Biden administration is considering personal sanctions against Vladimir Putin and his inner circle of oligarchs as a deterrent against a potential invasion of Ukraine. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki noted that the timing of any Russian move might be influenced by the upcoming Beijing Olympics and Putin's relationship with Xi Jinping. Some analysts suggest the conflict is being leveraged to drive up global energy prices.

The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on 11 high-ranking Hong Kong and mainland Chinese officials, including Chief Executive Carrie Lam, for their roles in suppressing local protests. While some officials mocked the sanctions, the move effectively freezes their access to the U.S. banking system. Reports indicate that some banks in Hong Kong have already begun closing accounts for the targeted individuals to avoid U.S. regulatory complications.

President Trump signed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act and an executive order ending preferential treatment for Hong Kong, effectively treating it the same as mainland China. These measures, which include asset seizures and technology export bans, are viewed as a significant escalation in the economic war against the Chinese government.

Section 518 of the "Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act" targets emerging illicit finance threats, specifically naming cryptocurrencies. The bill mandates a study on how these digital assets are used for value transfer and cybercrime. This legislative move is seen as a direct attempt to eliminate the anonymity of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, making exchanges into traditional currency more difficult.

National Security Advisor Michael Flynn is under fire for phone calls with the Russian ambassador regarding sanctions before the inauguration. The hosts argue that the CIA and FBI are leaking surveillance data to damage Flynn, whom they view as a "hard-ass" outsider. They compare Flynn's actions to President Obama's "open mic" promise of flexibility to Dmitry Medvedev.

National Security Advisor Michael Flynn is under scrutiny for communications with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak that occurred on the same day President Obama announced sanctions against Russia. Critics suggest Flynn may have violated the Logan Act, which prohibits private citizens from negotiating with foreign governments in disputes with the U.S. Supporters argue that as the incoming National Security Advisor, it was Flynn's responsibility to establish contact with foreign counterparts.

Representative Adam Schiff and Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham push for broader sanctions against Russia, with McCain questioning if the interference constitutes an "act of war." Graham uses a metaphor about "throwing rocks" to describe the need for a more aggressive response than the Obama administration's "pebble." Schiff suggests that while vote counting wasn't affected, the "tampering" with the process remains a significant issue.

Analyst Gilbert Doctorow recounts a 2010 meeting where Boris Nemtsov advised US officials on expanding sanctions against Russia. The hosts discuss how Nemtsov was working on these policies years before the Ukraine crisis became a global focal point. They also play a clip of former MI6 chief John Sawers warning that Russia is a danger to Britain.

A discussion on the normalization of relations with Cuba notes that while President Obama can ease travel restrictions, the core embargo is codified in the Libertad Act of 1996. Republican leaders like Marco Rubio have signaled strong opposition to lifting congressional sanctions. Reports indicate that despite the embargo, the U.S. has been shipping food to Cuba through various legal workarounds for years.

Adam Curry deconstructs Senate Bill 1472, the Syria Sanctions Act of 2011. He argues the bill is not actually about stopping atrocities in Syria but is a "front" for targeting Iran and forcing Syria out of Lebanon. He plays a classic clip of General Wesley Clark discussing a 2001 Pentagon memo to "take out" seven countries in five years, including Syria and Iran.