Topic: Terrorism Finance

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague issued a ruling on Ukraine's allegations against Russia regarding terrorism financing and racial discrimination. The court dismissed most of Ukraine's claims, including direct Russian responsibility for the MH17 downing under the specific treaty cited. The court did find a minor violation regarding the decline of Ukrainian language education in Crimea.

Bitcoin's price has dropped significantly from its 2017 highs, falling to around $4,500 from nearly $20,000. Despite the volatility, the hosts argue that Bitcoin remains a highly efficient transmission mechanism for international money transfers compared to traditional banks. They mock the "terrorism financing" excuses used by banks to delay or block legitimate cross-border transactions.

The hosts report that PayPal has begun canceling recurring donations and restricting accounts in countries like Japan, citing international regulations against terrorism financing. They encourage listeners to check their accounts to ensure their support continues. Donations from Chicago, Houston, and Georgia are acknowledged.

Attorney General Eric Holder is under fire from Congress for refusing to release documents related to the Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing case. Representatives Louie Gohmert and Trent Franks allege that the Department of Justice is protecting unindicted co-conspirators linked to groups like CAIR and the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).

U.S. officials and Congressional hearings shift focus from a weakened Al-Qaeda to the Somali group Al-Shabaab. Two women in Rochester, Minnesota, were indicted for sending $8,600 to the group via the "Hawala" money transfer system, while 20 Somali men from Minneapolis are under investigation for traveling to join the conflict.

The FBI and federal officials execute a massive seizure of $240 million in counterfeit goods across 30 cities. The hosts link this to the ACTA agreement and reports that terrorist groups like Hezbollah use the sale of fake luxury items, such as Rolex watches and Coach handbags, to finance their operations.