Podcasts about foreign agents registration act fara

Virginia Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA), member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, has introduced legislation that would close a loophole in the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) which would ensure that individuals who were once acting as a foreign agent will be required to register for their foreign lobbying work. The bill is getting solid bipartisan support, along with support of President Trump's announcement the United States and China have agreed to lower most tariffs for 90 days saying the deal will cut tariffs on most Chinese products from 145 to 30 percent. FOX's Ryan Schmelz speaks with Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA), member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Committee on Appropriations, who says he hopes to get Democrats onboard to combat threats from China, lowering prescription drug prices and ways to save Medicaid. Click Here⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Virginia Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA), member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, has introduced legislation that would close a loophole in the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) which would ensure that individuals who were once acting as a foreign agent will be required to register for their foreign lobbying work. The bill is getting solid bipartisan support, along with support of President Trump's announcement the United States and China have agreed to lower most tariffs for 90 days saying the deal will cut tariffs on most Chinese products from 145 to 30 percent. FOX's Ryan Schmelz speaks with Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA), member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Committee on Appropriations, who says he hopes to get Democrats onboard to combat threats from China, lowering prescription drug prices and ways to save Medicaid. Click Here⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Virginia Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA), member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, has introduced legislation that would close a loophole in the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) which would ensure that individuals who were once acting as a foreign agent will be required to register for their foreign lobbying work. The bill is getting solid bipartisan support, along with support of President Trump's announcement the United States and China have agreed to lower most tariffs for 90 days saying the deal will cut tariffs on most Chinese products from 145 to 30 percent. FOX's Ryan Schmelz speaks with Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA), member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Committee on Appropriations, who says he hopes to get Democrats onboard to combat threats from China, lowering prescription drug prices and ways to save Medicaid. Click Here⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This Day in Legal History: Permanent Court of Arbitration EstablishedOn February 6, 1900, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) was officially established following the ratification of the 1899 Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes. This marked a major step toward institutionalizing peaceful dispute resolution between nations. The PCA, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, became the first international tribunal designed to arbitrate conflicts between states, offering an alternative to war. While not a court in the traditional sense, the PCA provides administrative support for arbitral tribunals, helping resolve territorial, trade, and investment disputes. Recognizing the need for improvement, the 1907 Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes refined its procedures, further solidifying arbitration as a legitimate mechanism for international law. Over the years, the PCA's role expanded beyond state-to-state disputes to include cases involving international organizations, corporations, and even individuals. Today, it operates out of the Peace Palace, home to other key legal institutions like the International Court of Justice. With 109 member states, the PCA continues to handle complex cases, from border conflicts to environmental agreements. Its existence laid the groundwork for later international legal bodies, such as the International Criminal Court and various UN tribunals. By promoting arbitration over conflict, the PCA has helped shape a more structured and rule-based international legal order.Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a major shift in the Justice Department's white-collar enforcement priorities, scaling back efforts in foreign lobbying transparency and foreign bribery cases. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) unit will now focus on bribery cases tied to transnational crime, such as those facilitating human smuggling, drug trafficking, and arms dealing. Other FCPA investigations with no such connection will be deprioritized.Similarly, Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) enforcement will be limited to cases resembling traditional espionage by foreign government actors. The Justice Department's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section will focus more on civil enforcement and regulatory guidance rather than aggressive criminal prosecutions. These changes mark a significant pullback from the increased enforcement seen over the past decade, particularly under Special Counsel Robert Mueller.Bondi also disbanded the National Security Division's corporate enforcement unit, an initiative championed by Biden-era Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. It's unclear if the division will continue prioritizing corporate crime linked to adversarial nations like China and Iran. These policy shifts were part of a broader series of announcements as Bondi took charge as the nation's top law enforcement official following her confirmation on Tuesday night.Bondi Diminishes Justice Department White Collar Enforcement (1)Google is ending its diversity-based hiring targets and reviewing its broader diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, aligning with a broader corporate trend of scaling back such efforts. The company previously set a goal in 2020 to increase leadership representation from underrepresented groups by 30% by 2025, but Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi told employees that Google would no longer pursue aspirational hiring goals.This shift follows years of public DEI commitments, especially after the 2020 protests over police killings of George Floyd and other Black Americans. Google had also begun evaluating executives on diversity metrics, but recent SEC filings show it removed language reaffirming its DEI commitments.The Alphabet Workers Union (AWU) criticized the move, calling it part of a broader anti-worker trend in the tech industry. Meanwhile, Google cited legal considerations as a federal contractor, stating it is reviewing compliance with court decisions and executive orders affecting DEI policies.Google will maintain internal employee groups such as “Black Googler Network” and “Trans at Google.” The company's decision follows similar DEI cutbacks at Meta and Amazon, amid increasing conservative pushback and legal challenges after the Supreme Court's 2023 affirmative action ruling.Google scraps diversity-based hiring targets | ReutersMore than 40,000 federal employees have signed up for the Trump administration's buyout offer, which promises pay through September if they resign by the end of February. This represents about 2% of the federal civilian workforce, with officials expecting a surge in applications before the Thursday deadline.The initiative is part of President Trump's second-term effort to reduce the size of the federal government, led by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency. The White House initially projected that 5% to 10% of federal workers might accept the offer.Federal employee unions oppose the plan, questioning its legality and enforceability. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has warned workers that job cuts are likely, with agency restructurings and layoffs expected. However, key employees in defense, immigration, law enforcement, and postal services are exempt from the deal.With nearly 298,000 federal employees eligible for retirement in the next two years, the administration's strategy could significantly reshape the workforce. Union leaders, like Everett Kelley of the American Federation of Government Employees, have urged workers to reject the offer, calling it misleading and driven by unelected billionaires.Musk ‘Buyout' Taken by 40,000 Federal Workers as Deadline Nears - BloombergOn her first day as U.S. Attorney General, Pam Bondi issued a directive stating that Justice Department lawyers who refuse to advance legal arguments on behalf of the Trump administration could face termination. The memo warns that attorneys who decline to sign briefs, delay cases, or impede the department's mission may be disciplined or fired.The move is part of a broader effort by Trump appointees to assert control over the Justice Department, which has already seen firings and reassignments of career lawyers. Bondi also announced a review of criminal and civil cases brought against Trump and his supporters, including prosecutions related to the January 6 Capitol attack. This "Weaponization Working Group" will scrutinize cases Republicans claim were politically motivated under the Biden administration.Additionally, Bondi scaled back enforcement of foreign influence laws, stating that criminal cases will only be pursued in instances resembling “traditional espionage”, shifting the focus to civil enforcement. These laws, which require individuals lobbying for foreign governments to register as foreign agents, were previously used to prosecute several Trump associates.Bondi's directive reflects Trump allies' long-standing complaints that career DOJ attorneys obstructed his policies, such as resisting lawsuits against Yale's admissions practices and refusing to defend the 2017 travel ban. The memo asserts that DOJ lawyers cannot substitute their personal views for the administration's legal agenda.Trump's attorney general says lawyers who refuse orders could be fired | Reuters This is a public episode. 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Episode 54 The Flaws of FARA: Feeble Oversight of Billions in Foreign Influence Journey back in time as we explore the origins of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) — and trace its impact on reshaping the public image of some of the most corrupt foreign entities over the past 50 years. Author Casey Michel returns to the podcast to join host Matt Adams to discuss Foreign Agents: How American Lobbyists and Lawmakers Threaten Democracy Around the World. Casey's book highlights the failures of FARA, which was enacted in 1938 to require agents of foreign principals who are engaged in political activities to publicly disclosure their activities. Discover the fascinating roots of FARA's inception and dig into the law's influence on American history. You'll also learn why Casey's book landed him on Vladimir Putin's sanctions list and if FARA reform is in the future.

For today's episode, Jennifer Gellie, the Chief of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section ("CES") in the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, sits down with Lawfare Senior Editor and General Counsel Scott R. Anderson and Lawfare Contributing Editor and Morrison Foerster partner Brandon Van Grack to discuss new proposed regulations her office has issued for implementing the Foreign Agents Registration Act ("FARA"). They cover how the role of FARA has changed in recent decades, what the new regulations change and leave the same, and what the Justice Department's FARA-related priorities are likely to be in 2025. This episode is part of the “The Regulators” series, in which Brandon and Scott sit down with senior U.S. officials working at the front lines of U.S. national security and economic statecraft.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Uhuru 3 - Chairman Omali Yeshitela, Penny Hess and Jesse Nevel - will have a sentencing hearing on December 16 in Florida. Failing to find evidence to convict them of violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the US Government manufactured a charge of conspiring to violate the law by thinking about it. There is no evidence to support this. This conviction creates a new level of state repression. Clearing the FOG speaks with Chairman Yeshitela about the case, the current political environment in the United States, including his opinions on the recent presidential election, and the recent events in the Sahel Region of Africa to decolonize the area. For more information, visit PopularResistance.org.

Tonight, on Liberty Conspiracy on Free Talk Live, Gardner Goldsmith looks into the coercive assumptions behind the US government's attack on Tenet Media, what the US Constitution says about free speech (even for foreigners that the US government tries to demonize) and how the Constitution actually has no authority over any of us in the first place. Gard also digs into the 90-year-old Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) that punishes people who 'work for foreign influences' and don't 'register' as 'foreign agents' when trying to talk to US 'office holders' in DC. According to their US Constitution, the feds don't have the so-called 'power' to do that, and the US government, itself, engages in spreading propaganda here and abroad, using our money! Gardner then digs into the economics of private property, and how political demands and controls over things like trash pickup and elimination actually destroy our ability to know the cost of getting rid of our personal refuse and lead to pollution. What is a "problem" for the environment? We need to let private property owners evaluate that and let Common Law tort claims arise for folks who think their property has been damaged. Then, Gard covers the admission by the Israeli government that they used US-provided Apache helicopters and arms to wipe out many of the folks they claimed were victims of Hamas on Oct 7, 2023, and how the US government is pushing for an expansion of the Ukraine-Russia war, and Gard offers final key points to recall about the so-called 'Presidential Debate' between Trump and Harris! That info, plus key comments from the audience, and more, tonight! Thank you for listening! It's all here, on Liberty Conspiracy on Free Talk Live! Thanks for sharing the links to Free Talk Live! You can stream Liberty Conspiracy live, M-F at 6 PM eastern, on Rumble, Rokfin, on YOUTUBE, and Gard's Twitter/X which is @gardgoldsmith, and feel free to subscribe to Gard's Substack for breaking pro-liberty reporting on big news! Thank you, again!

In this all-new episode, national security law professor Asha Rangappa and former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti delve into the murky waters of Russian disinformation campaigns. Discussing last week's indictment of two Russian nationals for a malign influence operation in the U.S. by the Department of Justice, you'll hear how well-known commentators like Tim Pool, Benny Johnson, Laura Southern, and Dave Rubin were ensnared with windfall payments from Russia's government. Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia The damning DoJ indictment alleges at least two Russian nationals conducted a clandestine operation in the US that sought to sway public opinion in the lead up to the election by funding BlazeTV content creator Lauren Chen's startup, Tenet Media.  While one of the Putin government's scheme targeted conservative American influencers, another indictment for a scheme called the Doppelgänger case was released, where prosecutors indicted a ring that created fake news websites. Both pushed pro-Russian narratives mixed with minsinformation to disrupt American politics and cause social division. Our hosts break down the details and implications of the shocking foreign disinformation campaign, and analyze responses by different presidential administrations to combat these types of operations.  We'll walk through the complexities of the case, talk about the role of targeted right-wing influencers in the operation, and explain how their willful negligence greatly undermined our democracy.  You'll also get to hear how the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) works, and get an expert analysis of the strategic shift in the federal response to these types of operations since the 2016 election.  Asha and Renato also give us an update on Hunter Biden's recent legal troubles and share some hilarious personal anecdotes about maintaining public appearances. This episode of It's Complicated is a must-listen. Stay tuned and join us next week for more expert analysis and deep dives into the world of legal and political intrigue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textCould the very voices shaping conservative media be under foreign influence? Join us on this eye-opening episode of Politically High Tech, where we scrutinize the astonishing allegations of Russian interference targeting significant media figures like Tim Pool, Benny Johnson, Dave Rubin, Taylor Hansen, Lauren Southern, and Matt Christensen. These influencers, with their vast reach and profound impact on public opinion, are now subjects of a rigorous Department of Justice investigation. Are they covertly supported by Russian funds to propagate pro-Russia narratives and destabilize American democracy? This potential breach of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) carries severe penalties, and the DOJ's relentless pursuit of truth signifies the gravity of these claims.In this episode, we dig deep into the complexities of media corruption and its profound ramifications on independent journalism and media integrity. What does this mean for transparency, accountability, and the future of the democratic process? As we follow this unfolding story, we stress the importance of critical thinking and vigilance. The revelations in this episode aren't just about the individuals involved—they hold significant repercussions for society at large. Stay with us for further updates and in-depth analyses that will keep you informed and on edge.Support the showFollow your host atYouTube and Rumble for video contenthttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUxk1oJBVw-IAZTqChH70aghttps://rumble.com/c/c-4236474Facebook to receive updateshttps://www.facebook.com/EliasEllusion/Twitter (yes, I refuse to call it X)https://x.com/politicallyht

The last few days have seen the US ramping up its war on domestic political dissent in multiple ways, with US lawmakers petitioning the Biden administration to crack down on anti-genocide protesters it suspects of foreign influence, and a journalist critical of US foreign policy coming under the crosshairs of Washington's increasingly weaponized Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Reading by Tim Foley.

On this day in legal history in 1946 the Nuremberg executions were carried out, following the trials of ten high level officials of the Third Reich.On October 16, 1946, a somber chapter in the aftermath of World War II closed with the Nuremberg executions. Ten prominent members of the Nazi regime were hanged, marking the end of the historic Nuremberg trials that sought justice for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide. The executed men included Hans Frank, Wilhelm Frick, Alfred Jodl, Ernst Kaltenbrunner, Wilhelm Keitel, Joachim von Ribbentrop, Alfred Rosenberg, Fritz Sauckel, Arthur Seyss-Inquart, and Julius Streicher. Hermann Göring, another top Nazi official scheduled to be executed, evaded the noose by committing suicide the night before.These executions took place in the gymnasium of Nuremberg Prison and were carried out by the United States Army. Master Sergeant John C. Woods and his assistant, military policeman Joseph Malta, were the executioners. They used the standard drop method instead of the long drop, which led to considerable controversy as some of the men did not die quickly from a broken neck, but slowly strangled to death. Reports indicated that some hangings took from 14 to 28 minutes, leading to claims of botched executions, which the Army later denied.The order of the executions began at 1:11 a.m. with von Ribbentrop and spanned just about two hours. The condemned men were allowed final statements, many of which expressed a mix of nationalistic sentiments, pleas for peace, and even denial of guilt. For instance, Ribbentrop's final words were a wish for understanding between East and West, and for peace in the world. On the other hand, Fritz Sauckel claimed his innocence and asked God to make Germany great again.Kingsbury Smith of the International News Service provided an eyewitness account, complete with photographs, that later appeared in newspapers. The initial belief was that the bodies were taken to Dachau for cremation. However, they were actually incinerated in a crematorium in Munich, and the ashes were scattered over the river Isar.The Nuremberg executions and the trials that preceded them remain landmarks in the evolution of international law and human rights. While they meted out justice to some of the perpetrators of the Holocaust and other wartime atrocities, they also ignited debates on judicial ethics and the very nature of evil. Thus, October 16 serves not just as a grim remembrance of the punishment meted out to some of history's worst criminals, but also as a milestone in the ongoing global dialogue about justice and accountability.Judge David R. Jones, a top U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Texas, has resigned amid an ethics investigation. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a formal misconduct complaint against him for not disclosing his live-in relationship with Elizabeth Freeman, an attorney at Jackson Walker LLP, a prominent bankruptcy firm. In a statement, Jones said he had become a "distraction" to the court's work and resigned to refocus attention on the court. His departure may trigger further scrutiny of the high-profile Chapter 11 cases he had overseen, including those involving Neiman Marcus, JCPenney, Seadrill Ltd., and Chesapeake Energy.The misconduct complaint was lodged by Chief Judge Priscilla Richman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which has jurisdiction over federal courts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Freeman and Jones have lived together since 2017, and Jones approved attorney fees for Jackson Walker and even recommended Freeman for professional positions without disclosing their relationship. Richman stated there was "probable cause to believe that Judge Jones has engaged in misconduct."Jackson Walker learned of the relationship allegation in March 2021 and instructed Freeman to stop working on cases overseen by Jones. The firm claims to have acted responsibly, including conducting a full inquiry and consulting external ethics counsel. Freeman left the firm in late 2022. Jones was sworn in as a bankruptcy judge in 2011 and was instrumental in making the Southern District of Texas a popular venue for large corporate Chapter 11 cases.Jones defended his actions by stating he and Freeman were not married and that he had no economic interest in her cases. However, Richman cited instances where Jones violated the code of conduct for U.S. judges, including not recusing himself where impartiality could be questioned. The Department of Justice's bankruptcy watchdog also questioned a bankruptcy plan mediated by Jones involving a party represented by Freeman.As of now, it is unclear whether the federal appeals court investigation into Jones will continue post-resignation. Legal experts suggest the case could have long-term ripple effects, raising questions about what other judges or firms may have known about the relationship. Calls for larger reforms in bankruptcy practice have also been ignited, emphasizing the need for expanded disclosures and better regulation.Texas Bankruptcy Judge Resigns After His Ethics Questioned (2)Top US bankruptcy judge resigns amid ethics inquiry | ReutersCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law a bill to regulate the state's cryptocurrency industry, which hosts nearly a quarter of all blockchain companies in North America. The legislation comes in the wake of issues like last year's collapse of the FTX exchange and aims to establish a basic regulatory framework. Newsom, who is a proponent of blockchain innovation, had previously vetoed similar legislation but suggests that the current measure may still require further refinement for clarity.The law, known as AB 39, is paired with another bill, SB 401, which targets cryptocurrency kiosks, ATM-like machines where cryptocurrencies can be bought or exchanged. Both bills were signed by the governor. AB 39 seeks to replicate New York's licensing system for cryptocurrency businesses, requiring various safety protocols, documentation, and fees. Businesses will also need to disclose if their services are insured and must maintain a customer phone line. Enforcement actions, including revoking licenses and imposing civil penalties of up to $20,000 per day, will be handled by the state Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.SB 401 imposes restrictions on crypto kiosks, capping transactions at $1,000 per day and limiting charges to a maximum of $5 or 15% of the transaction value. Documentation requirements have also been stipulated for greater accountability. Consumer advocates believe that these laws are essential for curbing fraud in the cryptocurrency sector. However, industry groups like the Crypto Council for Innovation, representing companies such as Coinbase and Gemini, have opposed both bills. They argue that the laws need more exemptions for smaller companies and more clarity around the licensing process, while also claiming that the kiosk restrictions could effectively put such businesses out of operation.Gov. Newsom Signs Crypto Licensing Bill in CaliforniaSen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey has been indicted for allegedly acting as a foreign agent for Egypt, which has led to renewed scrutiny of his role in blocking reforms to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Menendez, a Democrat, had substantial influence over FARA-related legislation in his capacity as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a position he stepped down from following a previous corruption indictment. He has been identified as a significant obstacle to legislative efforts to modernize FARA, a law dating back to 1938 that requires disclosure for those acting on behalf of foreign interests.Bipartisan calls for reforming FARA have been growing, especially as the Department of Justice has increased its investigations under the law since 2016. However, comprehensive updates have failed to gain traction. Menendez had publicly blocked an expedited vote on FARA reform in 2020 and also worked behind the scenes to thwart changes to the foreign lobbying disclosure law. His indictment has now raised questions about whether his actions were motivated by a desire to cover his own activities related to Egypt.Menendez explained his 2020 decision to block a FARA package by urging a more comprehensive look at the proposed changes. A spokesperson for Sen. Charles Grassley, who backed the FARA reform, stated that Menendez has not been cooperative on FARA reform since the 2020 defeat of the proposal. Menendez, who is not charged under FARA but under a different statute pertaining to public officials, has denied any wrongdoing.The indictment against Menendez has reinvigorated discussions about the need for FARA reform. Legal experts suggest that his case could be a catalyst for legislative action, much like past scandals have precipitated changes in lobbying laws. The removal of Menendez from his committee position could also remove a significant barrier to FARA reform.The Justice Department alleges that Menendez conspired with officials who should have been registered under FARA, raising the stakes for reforms to the law, which has multiple ambiguities and outdated language. If Menendez is proven to have acted on Egypt's behalf, it could make it difficult for Congress to ignore calls for reform, especially given that Menendez had been urging the DOJ to investigate a Republican politician under FARA.Menendez Indicted as Foreign Agent After Thwarting Related BillU.S. prosecutors are expected to request a judge to restrict former President Donald Trump's public comments about a federal case that accuses him of attempting to overturn his loss in the 2020 election. The hearing is planned by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan and aims to consider Special Counsel Jack Smith's bid to prevent Trump from discussing potential witnesses and making disparaging remarks about prosecutors, court staff, and potential jurors. Smith has pointed to Trump's "inflammatory public statements," including social media attacks, arguing that they could undermine public confidence in the legal process and possibly sway jurors.Trump, who is not expected to attend the hearing, has strongly opposed this request, describing it as an attempt to limit his free speech while he is running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. The issue has become an early contentious point, approximately five months ahead of Trump's scheduled trial. The former president is charged with conspiracy to interfere in the vote counting and blocking the certification of the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden.Trump has pleaded not guilty and accuses the prosecutors of interfering with his campaign. This is one of four criminal cases brought against him by federal and state prosecutors this year. Earlier this month, a New York judge issued a gag order against Trump in a civil fraud trial, prohibiting him from speaking about court staff.In a court filing, prosecutors cited comments Trump made on his Truth Social site about potential witnesses, including former Vice President Mike Pence and former top U.S. general Mark Milley. They argue that Trump's remarks are consistent with threatening behavior he exhibited after the 2020 election, which led to threats from his supporters against election officials.Trump's legal team has responded by saying there is no evidence to suggest that his social media posts have adversely affected the case. They accuse prosecutors of trying to impose broad restrictions on Trump's ability to criticize the government. Trump's lawyers argue that the proposed gag order is an attempt by the Biden administration to unlawfully silence its major political opponent.Special Counsel Jack Smith was appointed to provide the investigation a degree of independence from the political leadership of the U.S. Justice Department. Prosecutors have previously refuted allegations of political interference.Prosecutors aim to persuade judge to rein in Trump comments on election case | ReutersMicrosoft has successfully completed its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, making franchises like Call of Duty officially part of Xbox. The deal makes Microsoft the second-largest gaming company in the world, surpassing Sony. It also greatly expands the catalog for Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass subscription service, with Activision Blizzard titles like Overwatch 2, Diablo IV, and World of Warcraft, while boosting Microsoft's presence in mobile gaming through titles like Candy Crush and Call of Duty Mobile. Microsoft has signed a 10-year agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation but may make other Activision Blizzard franchises exclusive to Xbox.The acquisition expands Microsoft's gaming business by roughly 10,000 employees. Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick will remain with the company through the end of 2023, reporting to Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer. Microsoft has agreed to union neutrality, and Activision Blizzard employees will have the opportunity to recognize a union through a simple card check process starting 60 days from now.The deal was initially announced in January 2022 after Activision Blizzard faced a drop in stock price due to major game delays and reports of sexual harassment within the company. Contrary to previous expectations that Kotick would resign after the deal, he is set to stay on and stands to make nearly $400 million from the sale via his stock holdings.Legal battles almost derailed the merger, with the Federal Trade Commission attempting to block it, resulting in a week-long trial. However, Microsoft managed to clear the regulatory hurdles, including agreeing to sell cloud gaming rights for Activision Blizzard games in the UK to Ubisoft to satisfy the UK's Competition and Markets Authority.Going forward, Microsoft faces the challenge of integrating Activision Blizzard into its existing gaming operations, a process that is expected to take years. This acquisition significantly amplifies Microsoft's gaming business, coming after its 2020 purchase of Bethesda Softworks' parent company ZeniMax, and sets the stage for future industry consolidation.Microsoft Finally Closes Massive Activision Blizzard Deal, Making Call Of Duty Officially Part Of Xbox Now Get full access to Minimum Competence - Daily Legal News Podcast at www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Here's your weekly selection of news highlights from the Crosstalk news desk-----Senator Dianne Feinstein has passed away at the age of 90. She represented the state of California since 1992.----House Republicans are working to build a case to impeach President Joe Biden. A series of inquiry hearings in the House Oversight Committee kicked off yesterday.----The House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday revealed a document that showed Lesley Wolf, the assistant U.S. attorney for Delaware, blocked investigators from pursuing evidence relating to President Joe Biden as part of an investigation into violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act -FARA-. ----President Joe Biden's brother told the FBI that the first family, including Hunter, tried unsuccessfully to help a Chinese company buy U.S. energy interests and assets and did so believing that the firm's leader was tied directly to the Chinese Communist Party.----House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was all smiles Tuesday evening as he began his press conference to address progress in the House on the appropriations front.----Senator Bob Menendez pleaded not guilty Wednesday to bribery charges. Federal prosecutors have accused Menendez and his wife of accepting cash and gold bars in exchange for assisting the Egyptian government and interfering in law enforcement investigations.----Disagreements over Ukraine aid are threatening to be a major factor in the looming government shutdown.----Lawmakers are moving to protect the pay of U.S. troops as the clock ticks toward a potential government shutdown. ----Former President Trump's civil trial in New York on fraud charges will begin on Monday.

Here's your weekly selection of news highlights from the Crosstalk news desk-----Senator Dianne Feinstein has passed away at the age of 90. She represented the state of California since 1992.----House Republicans are working to build a case to impeach President Joe Biden. A series of inquiry hearings in the House Oversight Committee kicked off yesterday.----The House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday revealed a document that showed Lesley Wolf, the assistant U.S. attorney for Delaware, blocked investigators from pursuing evidence relating to President Joe Biden as part of an investigation into violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act -FARA-. ----President Joe Biden's brother told the FBI that the first family, including Hunter, tried unsuccessfully to help a Chinese company buy U.S. energy interests and assets and did so believing that the firm's leader was tied directly to the Chinese Communist Party.----House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was all smiles Tuesday evening as he began his press conference to address progress in the House on the appropriations front.----Senator Bob Menendez pleaded not guilty Wednesday to bribery charges. Federal prosecutors have accused Menendez and his wife of accepting cash and gold bars in exchange for assisting the Egyptian government and interfering in law enforcement investigations.----Disagreements over Ukraine aid are threatening to be a major factor in the looming government shutdown.----Lawmakers are moving to protect the pay of U.S. troops as the clock ticks toward a potential government shutdown. ----Former President Trump's civil trial in New York on fraud charges will begin on Monday.

Tom calls in to the show to talk about his latest Newsmax opion piece titled, "Don't Fall for Newsom's Feigned Altruism". House Republicans are set to grill FBI Director Christopher Wray on various matters they believe the bureau is failing to meet expectations, including investigations surrounding three individuals. The U.S. Department of Justice indicted Gal Luft, a whistleblower in the Biden family scandals, for failing to comply with the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) — but has never indicted Hunter Biden for the same.  Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) is set to appear as one of the keynote speakers for the first town hall event hosted by No Labels, a centrist political group that has teased an alternative option for voters in the 2024 election. The owners of a Japanese steak house on Florida's Panhandle announced on Friday that the restaurant is closing, weeks after an investigation determined that some soy sauce had been contaminated with methamphetamine. President Joe Biden's administration is fighting back against a new provision in the annual defense spending bill that would require military promotions to be based solely on merit rather than considering race or gender.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vice President Kamala Harris faced a tidal wave of sarcasm after making an obvious declaration about the issue of transportation. The Department of Justice announced on Monday an indictment against Gal Luft, the Israeli-American co-head of a Maryland-based think tank, on charges related to violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Luft, currently a fugitive from American authorities, has been touted by Republicans as a potential whistleblower in their ongoing efforts to link the Biden family to corrupt business dealings abroad. A toddler was rescued from a canal by a good Samaritan Tuesday morning in Fresno County. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vice President Kamala Harris faced a tidal wave of sarcasm after making an obvious declaration about the issue of transportation. The Department of Justice announced on Monday an indictment against Gal Luft, the Israeli-American co-head of a Maryland-based think tank, on charges related to violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Luft, currently a fugitive from American authorities, has been touted by Republicans as a potential whistleblower in their ongoing efforts to link the Biden family to corrupt business dealings abroad. A toddler was rescued from a canal by a good Samaritan Tuesday morning in Fresno County. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Village People sent a cease-and-desist letter to former President Donald Trump, asking him to stop using their music. Kevin Morris, a Los Angeles entertainment lawyer, has emerged as a main character in the Hunter Biden investigation. Hunter Biden could be charged with violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) after securing an alleged meeting for a foreign national with then-Vice President Joe Biden, legal experts say based upon recently reported emails between the president's son and family business associates. The Department of Agriculture announced billions in new grants and loans designed to expand renewable energy installations and other clean energy technologies in rural regions of the country. Netflix's Queen Cleopatra was shredded by audience reviews following its May 10 release, with many comparing its calamitous release to the real-life Cleopatra's own suicide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ngày 11/12/2022, Viện Công Tố Liên Bang Bỉ thông báo bắt giữ 4 người trong đó có phó chủ tịch Nghị Viện Châu Âu và một cựu nghị sĩ châu Âu trong khuôn khổ nghi án nhận hối lộ từ Qatar. Nếu như thông báo này gây ra một cơn bão chính trị tại nghị trường châu Âu, vụ việc làm lộ rõ những khe hở trong các quy định về « đạo đức » của các nghị sĩ và cả một mạng lưới « tội phạm có tổ chức » ngay trong lòng định chế lớn nhất châu Âu. Qatargate : Cơn sóng thần ở Bruxelles Hơn một triệu euro tiền mặt bị tịch thu, một trong số 14 phó chủ tịch Nghị Viện Châu Âu, bà Eva Kaili, một trợ lý nghị sĩ, Francesco Giorgi và cũng là bạn đời bà Kaili, một cựu nghị sĩ châu Âu thuộc đảng Xã Hội – Dân Chủ Ý Pier Antonio Panzeri, cùng ba người khác đã bị bắt giam sau một loạt vụ khám xét tại Bruxelles. Nghi án « Qatargate » đang đưa ra một hình ảnh chính trị thảm hại về một khối Liên Hiệp Châu Âu 27 nước thành viên. Những người này bị cáo buộc nhận tiền từ một nước « vùng Vịnh », theo như lời lẽ từ cảnh sát Bỉ, nhằm tác động lên nhiều quyết định của Liên Âu. Thủ tướng Bỉ Alexander De Croo cho rằng cuộc điều tra do thẩm phán Michel Claise điều hành xác nhận một điểm : « Tư pháp Bỉ đang thực hiện những gì Nghị Viện Châu Âu đã không tự làm được ». Nghị trường châu Âu rúng động, nhiều cuộc tranh cãi lại dấy lên, do việc vụ bê bối này trước hết phơi bày ra ánh sáng những lỗ hổng về các quy định trong Nghị Viện Châu Âu trên phương diện đạo đức, chống tham nhũng, xử lý xung đột lợi ích và hoạt động vận động hành lang. Theo báo Bỉ L'Echo, nghi án tham nhũng này gợi nhớ lại tai tiếng « Cash for Amendments » năm 2011. Phóng viên tờ Sunday Times của Anh đã cài bẫy bốn nghị sĩ châu Âu Áo, Tây Ban Nha, Rumani và Slovenia khi đóng giả là những nhà vận động hành lang và đề nghị họ trình các sửa đổi luật lệ châu Âu để đổi lấy một khoản tiền mặt. Bộ quy tắc ứng xử và những khe hở cho tham nhũng Sau vụ tai tiếng này, Liên Hiệp Châu Âu đã thông qua một bộ quy tắc ứng xử dành cho các giới chức lãnh đạo, các nghị sĩ, cũng như các viên chức làm việc tại các định chế. Văn bản này thiết lập vài quy định ngắn gọn, đặc biệt nghiêm cấm các dân biểu nhận quà cáp có giá trị trên 150 euro. Một quy định mà Raphael Kergueno thuộc Tổ chức Minh Bạch Thế Giới (Transparency International) đánh giá là quá « nhẹ ». Trả lời báo kinh tế L'Echo của Bỉ, ông lưu ý, « bộ quy tắc ứng xử này chỉ có vài trang, không bằng bộ quy tắc ứng xử dành cho thượng nghị sĩ Mỹ phải dài đến khoảng 100 trang ». Hơn nữa, tất cả các hoạt động trong mục đích gây ảnh hưởng lên các chính sách và tiến trình ra quyết định tại các định chế của Liên Âu là được công nhận. Tuy nhiên, việc vận động gây ảnh hưởng cũng phải tuân thủ theo các quy định nội bộ của Nghị Viện, đặc biệt là những tiêu chí liên quan đến những cuộc tiếp xúc với các đại diện quyền lợi. Nhà báo Christophe Dansette, kênh truyền hình France 24 giải thích : « Từ năm 2011, các nhà vận động hành lang phải đăng ký để có thể hoạt động bên trong các tòa nhà của Liên Hiệp Châu Âu, bất kể đó là Nghị Viện, Ủy Ban hay Hội Đồng Châu Âu. Các nhà hoạt động sẽ được cấp một thẻ để có thể ra vào các khu nhà. Họ cũng phải chấp nhận một bộ quy tắc ứng xử, nghiêm cấm họ trao tặng một số kiểu quà cáp. Hiện tổng cộng có khoảng 12.500 cá nhân và cơ chế đã đăng ký hoạt động, từ các tổ chức phi chính phủ cho đến các tập đoàn đa quốc gia. Ngoài ra, các nhân vật lãnh đạo cao cấp quan trọng, chẳng hạn như các ủy viên, chủ tịch các nhóm chính trị, phải khai báo toàn bộ những nhà vận động hành lang mà họ tiếp xúc, do việc những quan chức này thường xuyên xử lý nhiều hồ sơ mà họ không chắc nắm rõ và do vậy họ cần đến sự tư vấn từ nhiều chuyên gia. » Điểm đáng chú ý ở đây là quy định này, nếu mang tính ràng buộc cho các vị trí lãnh đạo quan trọng, thì chúng chỉ có tính chất khuyến nghị cho các nghị sĩ. Kết quả là chỉ 37% trong khoảng hơn 700 số nghị sĩ châu Âu là có khai báo các cuộc tiếp xúc của họ với các nhà vận động hành lang. Trong số này, đứng đầu bảng là các nước Bắc Âu, chiếm hơn 90%, nước Pháp nằm trong khoảng 63,3%, nhưng Cộng hòa Chypre chỉ có 16,7% và Hy Lạp là thành viên tệ nhất khi chỉ có 9,5%. Đây có lẽ là nguyên nhân khiến Hy Lạp giờ bị điểm mặt ! Nghị Viện Châu Âu và « văn hóa không trừng phạt » Về điểm này, ông Yves Bertoncini, giảng viên và cố vấn các vấn đề châu Âu, trên đài truyền hình Arte, giải thích vì sao là Nghị Viện Châu Âu đã có phần chậm trễ so với Ủy Ban Châu Âu : « Bởi vì ở đây có một ý tưởng là các đại biểu phải được tự do, họ do dân bầu lên, họ không cần phải giải trình một cách cụ thể như các ủy viên châu Âu, hay như các quan chức cao cấp hoặc như các ủy viên châu Âu về các hoạt động của họ. Vào thời điểm vụ tai tiếng năm 1999, người ta đã có thể mở rộng các hoạt động của cơ quan chống tham nhũng sang Nghị Viện Châu Âu. Chính nhờ thế mà người ta mới phát hiện ra việc sử dụng sai trái nguồn quỹ của Nghị Viện Châu Âu từ một số chính đảng của Pháp. Nhưng hiện tại các nghị sĩ châu Âu là khá tự do và do vậy, hậu quả của vụ bê bối này là phải củng cố các quy tắc. » Mặt khác, nghị sĩ châu Âu thuộc đảng Xanh của Đức Daniel Freund, lưu ý thêm rằng các đại diện Nhà nước là không bị ràng buộc đăng ký minh bạch. Ông cay đắng nhắc lại : « Lần gần đây nhất, khi chúng tôi thảo luận về hoạt động vận động hành lang tại Liên Hiệp Châu Âu cách nay hai năm, tôi từng đề nghị gộp cả vấn đề vận động gây ảnh hưởng từ các Nhà nước, nhưng chỉ có một mình tôi đề xuất, các nhóm chính trị khác thì không muốn, lập luận rằng đó là hoạt động ngoại giao, chứ không phải vận động hành lang ». Theo báo Bỉ L'Echo, trong lĩnh vực này, quả thật Liên Hiệp Châu Âu phải học hỏi thêm nhiều từ Hoa Kỳ. Đạo Luật Đăng Ký Đại Diện Nước Ngoài (Foreign Agents Registration Act – FARA), đề ra những ràng buộc minh bạch cho những ai đại diện các lợi ích của nước ngoài và tìm cách gây ảnh hưởng lên các quyết định của chính phủ hay Quốc Hội. Một quy định mà ông Daniel Freund nhìn nhận tuy không thể ngăn chặn triệt để nạn mua chuộc, nhưng chí ít cho phép « giảm thiểu nguy cơ, và tạo thuận lợi cho các cuộc điều tra của cảnh sát và viện công tố khi làm lộ rõ những mạng lưới, các nguy cơ xung đột lợi ích và tham nhũng ». Cuối cùng, một lỗ thủng khác không nhỏ khiến cuộc chiến chống tham nhũng của Liên Âu trở nên kém hiệu quả : Thiếu các biện pháp trừng phạt nghiêm khắc. Việc có trừng phạt một nghị sĩ nào đó vi phạm các quy tắc « đạo đức » hay không phụ thuộc vào một « ủy ban tham vấn » gồm 5 nghị sĩ. Trong năm năm qua, dù ủy ban này đã xem xét 24 trường hợp vi phạm bộ quy tắc ứng xử, nhưng chưa có một ai phải chịu một hình phạt nào. Đến mức Transparency International đã lên án Liên Âu để hình thành một thứ « văn hóa không trừng phạt ». Tổ chức này kêu gọi nên thiết lập một cơ chế độc lập, có phương tiện tài chính và nhân lực để có thể tiến hành điều tra và ban hành các trừng phạt hay chuyển giao hồ sơ cho tư pháp. « Qatargate » và mạng lưới tội phạm có tổ chức Nếu như trong vụ việc này, tư pháp Bỉ chỉ nói có liên quan đến một nước Vùng Vịnh, thì mọi cặp mắt đang đổ dồn về phía Qatar. Liệu rằng sau vụ bê bối này cùng với những chỉ trích liên quan đến vấn đề nhân quyền trong việc tổ chức World Cup 2022 gây nhiều tranh cãi, Liên Âu có nên xem xét lại mối quan hệ với Doha? Nhà nghiên cứu địa chính trị Agnès Levallois, thuộc Quỹ Nghiên Cứu Chiến Lược (FRS), trước hết lưu ý, việc một nước như Qatar chẳng hạn tìm cách mở các kênh ảnh hưởng ở nước khác là lẽ thường tình, tất cả các nước đều làm việc này. Bà nhận định thêm : « Đừng quên rằng Qatar hiện nay là một trong số các nước cung cấp khí đốt nhiều nhất. Tất cả các nước đều ve vãn Qatar để có được hợp đồng mua khí đốt, bởi vì chúng ta hiện nay đang trong một cuộc khủng hoảng năng lượng thảm hại và bởi vì Qatar cảm thấy tự tin hơn, đang trong thế thượng phong. » Không chỉ riêng Qatar, khối 27 nước thành viên hiện đang đối mặt với những sức ép vận động nhằm gây chia rẽ Liên Âu, chủ yếu đến từ Nga, Trung Quốc, Mỹ và trong một chừng mực nào đó là Anh Quốc – đây cũng là 4 nước thành viên thường trực trong Hội Đồng Bảo An. Một điều chắc chắn, tai tiếng tham nhũng xảy ra đã làm hoen ố hình ảnh của Nghị Viện vào lúc định chế này đang có một cuộc đọ sức gay gắt với thủ tướng Viktor Orban của Hungary, cũng bị lên án là tham nhũng. Tuy nhiên, nghi án này không chỉ dừng ở cấp độ chính trị. Cảnh sát Bỉ nghi ngờ đây là một mạng lưới tội phạm có tổ chức. Ngoài bà phó chủ tịch Eva Kaili là người Hy Lạp, những người bị bắt còn lại Francesco Giorgi, Pier Antonio Panzeri, Luca Visentini – lãnh đạo nghiệp đoàn, và Niccolo Figa – Talamanca, thư ký tổ chức phi chính phủ No Peace Without Justice, đều là người Ý. Một chi tiết khiến các nhà điều tra Bỉ nêu lên giả thuyết sự hiện diện của một đường dây « Italian Connection ». Tư pháp Bỉ quyết định mở rộng điều tra theo trục Bruxelles – Milan để xác định mạng lưới quan hệ của Pier-Antonio Panzeri. Ngoài ra, trong vụ tai tiếng này, giới điều tra Bỉ ưu tiên tìm hiểu 600 ngàn euro với những tờ giấy bạc mới tinh vừa được phát hành từ đâu mà ra. Một phần trong số này được in tại Bỉ, phần còn lại đang được điều tra với nhiều câu hỏi lớn : Phải chăng Qatar có được quyền ưu tiên tiếp cận những tờ bạc mới tại Ngân Hàng Trung Ương Châu Âu ? Bằng cách nào họ có thể rút ra một khoản tiền lớn đến như thế mà không khơi dậy một chút nghi ngờ nào ?

On this edition of Parallax Views, the Institute for Research: Middle East Policy's Grant F. Smith returns to discuss his new podcast documentary series How Israel Made AIPAC. Grant takes through the history of AIPAC, often simply referred to as the Israel lobby, from its earliest days vis-a-vis the figure of lobbyist Isaiah L. Kenen. Grant gives an overview about the origins of AIPAC and issues related to Israel in the 20th century including the Transfer Agreement and the Third Reich, Haganah arms smuggling, NUMEC and how Israel acquired nuclear weapons, the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA),  the U.S. State Department, Ze'ev "Vladimir" Jabotinsky and the Likud Party, and more. We'll also discuss the importance of this documentary series to current events and U.S. foreign policy today as well as the ways in which previous Presidents like the Pendergast Machine-affiliated Harry Truman could be compromised by private or foreign interests. Then, in a brief bonus segment, Dave DeCamp of Antiwar.Com joins us to discuss how a recent CBS documentary on U.S./NATO arming of Ukraine was pulled after Volodymyr Zelensky's government complained about it. One of the issues raised by the documentary was the question of how many of the arms being sent to Ukraine are actually making it into the hands of the military. Ukraine's foreign defense minister has called for CBS to launch an internal investigation to see who "enabled" the documentary.

In this episode, Holden Triplett returns to talk to A'ndre and Ryan about foreign agents and counterintelligence. In the wake of the FBI and DoJ investigation into Brookings Institution President GEN (ret.) John Allen's alleged illegal lobbying for Qatar, Holden, who served in the FBI for over a decade, helps us break down the facts. GEN Allen's actions likely implicate the   Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and, since violations of FARA have led to the prosecutions of high level political figures and business executives,  Holden explains how the law works and how the FBI approaches investigations. Holden also discusses why governments target former senior US officials and how it implicates Corporate America. The conversation concludes with a run through of other pressing counterintelligence threats and how it impacts everyone, not just those working in and around government. 

In Episode 9 of Know Your Adversary™, Nisos researcher Zeshan Aziz revealed that Chinese commercial marketing firm OneSight, developed a sophisticated social media management and monitoring system called OneSight Backstage Management System to propagate political disinformation against the Uyghur community. The research indicates the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) likely conducted the campaign. Previous research into a breach of OneSight identified sophisticated social media surveillance tooling was used for widespread disinformation campaigns across many prominent Chinese and U.S. social media platforms. These campaigns targeted political topics, including Uyghur dissidents and anti-COVID19 messaging. While OneSight won legitimate contracts with the Chinese Communist Party to market Chinese state media, OneSight also used fake social media accounts to promote false narratives intended to create negative sentiment against U.S. policies. Primary Nisos Process and Tools to Combat Disinformation: Narrative: Identify the propagated primary messages. Accounts and Content: Find the platform's activity and roll back the accounts. Platforms and Outlets: Determine how widespread the messaging is on other platforms. Attribution: Attribute the sponsor backing the disinformation campaign through technical signature analysis.  Major Takeaways from the Investigation: OneSight regularly advertises its Chinese commercial clients but does not disclose working directly with the CCP. However, research into the Chinese government procurement databases (the equivalent of the United States' FedBizOps) indicates that OneSight regularly works with the CCP.  Besides anti-Uyghur messaging, other narratives favoring the Chinese state included positive messaging about Carrie Lam, a Hong Kong politician seen as a close ally to the CCP.  CCP Unmasked claimed to have stolen internal documents from Knowlesys, a company based in Hong Kong and GuangDong, Yunrun Big Data Service, a company based in Guangzhou, and OneSight, based in Beijing. Nisos researchers reviewed the data from the OneSight compromise. In a YouTube video, they discovered a proprietary tool called OneSight Backstage Management System: a portal for storing and correlating persona accounts, the messaging used for those accounts, and the platform used for propagation.  Violations of Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) have been an effective near-term way to combat individuals and organizations pedaling foreign disinformation. Its purpose is to allow the U.S. government and the general public to be informed of the identities of individuals representing the interests of foreign governments or entities.

As the world absorbs the news out of Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, Myanmar, & the world over, we wanted to devote this episode to the actions nonprofits can take to support international relief efforts and international advocacy. This episode is for foundations and nonprofits working domestically and abroad to deliver equitable relief and advocacy.  It's our 50th episode! Thanks for listening and keep sharing with your colleagues that might be interested in what we do around here.  Lobbying definitions include international bodies  International advocacy that doesn't (usually) count  International lobbying registration and solicitation registration may be necessary  Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)    Resources  International Advocacy: What Nonprofits Need to Know - Alliance for Justice  Responding to the Ukraine Crisis: What Nonprofits and Foundations Need to Know  International Center for Not-for-Profit Law   

Hunter Biden's dealings with Chinese energy firm CEFC are in violation of the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), said Rep. Mike Johnson on April 5. https://ept.ms/3uZj5ac  

Congress enacted the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) in 1938 to control Nazi propaganda. FARA requires U.S. entities that provide political or public relations services to foreign entities to disclose their relationships with their clients, and information about related activities and finances. Partner Jeff Hunter provides a few tips to make sure you don't run afoul of the FARA rules. See https://www.kelleydrye.com/News-Events/Publications/Client-Advisories/Increased-Focus-on-FARA-Registrations-Is-Likely-%E2%80%93 Jeffrey J. Hunter jhunter@kelleydrye.com (202) 342-8574 https://www.kelleydrye.com/Our-People/Jeffrey-J-Hunter https://www.kelleydrye.com/Our-Practices/Regulatory-Government-Relations/Campaign-Finance-and-Political-Law

DOJ Rules On Foreign Agent Registration Could Cause Headaches For Nonprofits According to reporting from Axios, the U.S. Department of Justice's new proposed rules regarding foreign agents and influence could cause major headaches for nonprofits. The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), aims to minimize the influence peddling of foreign countries and organizations, however some advocacy groups assert that an “overzealous” application of the rules could have serious repercussions. Major groups including the NRDC, ACLU, and AFP have delivered warnings to the DOJ during its open comment period. Foreign funding of policy think-tanks in particular have come under intense scrutiny over recent years. Read more ➝   Nonprofit Helps Families Access Public Benefits Left On The Table Patrice Berry, a nonprofit entrepreneur, has built an app that helps folks access public benefits that they often didn't know they have. An estimated $60 billion in public assistance is left on the table every year - with access issues to the labyrinthine bureaucratic processes posing a major challenge to helping folks in tough financial circumstances. AssistHub serves as a virtual assistant to help bridge the gap between the public and public benefits. Read more ➝  

DOJ Rules On Foreign Agent Registration Could Cause Headaches For Nonprofits According to reporting from Axios, the U.S. Department of Justice's new proposed rules regarding foreign agents and influence could cause major headaches for nonprofits. The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), aims to minimize the influence peddling of foreign countries and organizations, however some advocacy groups assert that an “overzealous” application of the rules could have serious repercussions. Major groups including the NRDC, ACLU, and AFP have delivered warnings to the DOJ during its open comment period. Foreign funding of policy think-tanks in particular have come under intense scrutiny over recent years. Read more ➝   Nonprofit Helps Families Access Public Benefits Left On The Table Patrice Berry, a nonprofit entrepreneur, has built an app that helps folks access public benefits that they often didn't know they have. An estimated $60 billion in public assistance is left on the table every year - with access issues to the labyrinthine bureaucratic processes posing a major challenge to helping folks in tough financial circumstances. AssistHub serves as a virtual assistant to help bridge the gap between the public and public benefits. Read more ➝  

During a public conference with Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dmitry Muratov complained that Russia's "foreign agent" legislation is enforced "extrajudicially," prompting the president's latest comparison to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) in the United States, which the Kremlin (inaccurately) calls "analogous." Putin went on to argue that FARA is even harsher legislation than the regulations Russia recently began imposing on so-called "foreign agents." Notably, the president claimed that "foreign agents" risk felony charges in the U.S. but not in Russia. Mr. Putin is mistaken. Original Article: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2021/10/22/putin-is-wrong

China Daily, the Chinese regime's propaganda outlet, has spent millions over the past six months on U.S. publications, according to its statement filed last week with the Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). According to the statement, China Daily's overall expenses from May 1 to Oct. 31 this year topped $4.4 million, of which around $3.1 million was spent on printing, advertising, and distribution, and about $1.3 million for payrolls and other operating expenses Chinese State-Run Outlet Continues Paying US Newspapers Millions to Publish Its Propaganda https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_app/ccp-media-outlet-continues-paying-us-counterparts-millions-to-publish-its-propaganda_3590665.html Chinese Propaganda Machine Active in USA Mike Pence Oct 7, 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO1fHEKYN_Y News Break Uses ‘Interest-Based Engine' to Push News to 45 Million Americans June 5th 2021 https://www.theepochtimes.com/news-break-app-founded-controlled-and-backed-by-chinese-entities_3845685.html  

The U.S.-China relationship continues to be a contentious one. Tensions over trade, technologies like 5G networks, and other issues flared over the past few years. What changes to international relations, if any, can the new presidential administration bring about, and what policies from the former administration will have lasting implications? Joining me for this discussion are attorneys and global commerce specialists, Scott Maberry and Reid Whitten. Scott Maberry is an International Trade partner in the Government Contracts, Investigations & International Trade Practice Group in the Sheppard Mullin Washington, D.C. office. Scott counsels clients and litigates disputes in the areas of export controls, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), anti-terrorism, economic sanctions, anti-boycott controls, anti-money laundering (AML), the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), trade remedies including antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) matters, and Customs.  Reid Whitten is the Managing Partner of Sheppard Mullin's London office, practicing in international trade regulations and investigations. He shares his time serving clients out of the Washington, D.C. office. He is also Leader of the Sheppard Mullin CFIUS Team. Reid is a thought leader on cross-border business regulations. Reid is an Adjunct Professor at the New College of the Humanities in London and at Wake Forest University in the U.S., where he teaches courses on the law of international business. He is the lead author and editor of The CFIUS Book and is the head of the firm's CFIUS Team. What We Discussed in This Episode: How did the Trump Administration’s international trade policies shape the relationship between China and the U.S. today? What major changes in export controls began under the former administration? What lessons can be learned from the Federal lawsuits involving WeChat and TikTok? How can the U.S. get out of an economic war with China? What might be the impact of China’s blocking statutes and their attempt to subvert U.S. sanctions? What capacity do China and the U.S. each have to navigate the fight for economic preeminence and potentially reach a resolution? What labor rights provisions are included in the U.S.-Canada-Mexico agreement and how do those provisions affect the relationship between the three countries? What trends can be seen in foreign direct investment? Contact Information: Scott’s Sheppard Mullin attorney profile Reid’s Sheppard Mullin attorney profile  Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week. If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, Google Podcasts, or Spotify.  It helps other listeners find this show. Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns: LinkedIn Facebook Twitter  Sheppard Mullin website This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

We are celebrating our 100th episode of the Nota Bene podcast by welcoming back our very first guest on the show, Scott Maberry, to examine the shifts over the past three years away from the world economic order that has existed since the end of World War II, with an emphasis on current U.S.-China relations. Scott Maberry is an International Trade partner in the Government Contracts, Investigations & International Trade Practice Group in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. Scott counsels clients and litigates disputes in the areas of export controls, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), anti-terrorism, economic sanctions, anti-boycott controls, anti-money laundering (AML), the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), trade remedies including antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) matters, and Customs.  What We Discussed in This Episode: How has the U.S. global strategy shifted over the past three years away from the the world trade order that the U.S. established in the 70 years since World War II? What are the latest updates on U.S.-China relations? What changes does President Trump’s national security strategy present to world trade? Is China’s economic rise a threat to U.S. hegemony? Why or why not? How is the semiconductor manufacturing industry an indication of China’s strategic economic moves? How has China’s role in the new World Trade Order changed over the Trump era? Did the U.S. “win” or “lose” the trade battle with China? How is the trade war with China creating a loss for both sides? Can America continue to lead the world in any area as a divided nation? How will its divisions impacts its role in world trade and economy going forward? How does social media impact people’s understanding of changes in the world economy? How interdependent is China? Resources Mentioned: The Social Dilemma documentary on Netflix AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order by Kui-Fu Lee Contact Information: Scott’s Sheppard Mullin attorney profile Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Wednesday.  If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, Google Podcasts, or Spotify.  It helps other listeners find this show.  Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns: LinkedIn Facebook Twitter  Sheppard Mullin website  This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

There’s a New Sheriff in Town: Josh Rosenstein, partner at Sandler Reiff, discusses the powerful new interpretations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) which now includes regulating any company or entity and its public affairs and communications agents, regardless of location, that is attempting to influence U.S. policy or the U.S. public. An essential listen for those not familiar with the significant new changes in the law.

As trade with our North American neighbors continues to evolve and grow, we’re taking a closer look at the newly ratified United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and examining how the new Agreement will impact trade among the three countries and globally. Joining us for this conversation is Scott Maberry. Scott is an International Trade partner in the Government Contracts, Investigations & International Trade Practice Group in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. Scott counsels clients and litigates disputes in the areas of export controls, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), anti-terrorism, economic sanctions, anti-boycott controls, anti-money laundering (AML), the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), trade remedies including antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) matters, and Customs.  What We Discussed in This Episode: What are the big differences between NAFTA and the USMCA? What are the main new additions to the Agreement? How is the USMCA helping the auto industry? As the US economy naturally shifts from a manufacturing-heavy country to a service-based economy, is it unwise to hold on to old ways? How many new jobs will be created under the USMCA and in which industries? Does the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) support or oppose the USMCA? Why does it matter? Was it time for an updated Agreement? What was missing from NAFTA that is covered in this Agreement? Is this Agreement providing any protection for the environment? Which provisions in the USMCA specifically and solely benefit the automobile industry? How will the USMCA affect the economies of the three countries and the global economy? Contact Information: Scott’s Sheppard Mullin attorney profile www.globaltradelawblog.com  Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Wednesday.  If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, Google Play, or Spotify.  It helps other listeners find this show.  Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:  LinkedIn Facebook Twitter  Sheppard Mullin website  This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

Thirty-five lawmakers sought a response from U.S. Attorney General William Barr about reports that the Chinese Communist Party has been violating this country’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) for years. The demand in the form of a letter sent last Thursday followed reports from the Washington Free Beacon in December that China Daily has for years been acting as a transmission belt for communist propaganda without complying with FARA. Said the Beacon: “China Daily, an official mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, has published hundreds of propaganda articles designed to look like ordinary news stories in some of America’s most influential newspapers.... The propaganda outlet has repeatedly violated [FARA] by failing to provide full disclosures about its purchases.” Read the article here!

This episode originally aired as Episode 40 on June 19, 2019 Less than a year following our first discussion about the U.S.- China trade war, we’re revisiting the topic with former guest Scott Maberry. We’re examining whether fears of China becoming a dominant world economic player are as accurate and threatening as many believe. We’re also taking a closer look at some of the unanticipated and unexpected effects of the U.S.’s dealings (or lack thereof) with China. Joining me is Scott Maberry. Scott is an International Trade partner in the Government Contracts, Investigations & International Trade Practice Group in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. Scott counsels clients and litigates disputes in the areas of export controls, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), anti-terrorism, economic sanctions, anti-boycott controls, anti-money laundering (AML), the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), trade remedies including antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) matters, and Customs.  What We Discuss in This Episode: What is a trade war as we see it playing out in current times? What are the U.S.’s goals in having initiated the current trade war? Is the perceived trade deficit in the U.S. as bad as it seems? Why the goal of eliminating the trade deficit with China is not the right goal Does China have a strategy for world economic dominance? Can there be more than one dominant economic hegemon in the world? Why the old ways of cooperation between the U.S. and China no longer work How can China use the debt market power it currently holds to harm the U.S.? What is China’s take on the trade war? The extraordinary circumstances surrounding the U.S. population’s acceptance of the burden of increased tariffs Could there be entirely unanticipated winners and losers in this trade war? Contact Information: Scott's Sheppard Mullin attorney profile Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Wednesday.  If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, Google Play, or Spotify.  It helps other listeners find this show.  Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:  LinkedIn Facebook Twitter  Sheppard Mullin website  This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

Paul John Manafort Jr. is an American lobbyist, political consultant, former lawyer, and convicted felon. A long time Republican Party campaign consultant, he joined Donald Trump's presidential campaign team in March 2016, and was campaign chairman from June to August 2016. He was convicted of tax and bank fraud in 2018 and forfeited his license to practice law in January 2019. Manafort has served as an adviser to the U.S. presidential campaigns of Republicans Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and Bob Dole. In 1980, he co-founded the Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm Black, Manafort & Stone, along with principals Charles R. Black Jr., and Roger J. Stone, joined by Peter G. Kelly in 1984. Manafort often lobbied on behalf of foreign leaders such as former President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, former dictator of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos, former dictator of Zaire Mobutu Sese Seko, and Angolan guerrilla leader Jonas Savimbi. Lobbying to serve the interests of foreign governments requires registration with the Justice Department under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA); on June 27, 2017, he retroactively registered as a foreign agent. This an an audio narration of the Mueller Report Summary of Volume 1. Download the android app for the full report audiol from play.google.com/store/apps/de... or visit MuellerReportAudioBook.com for a web player.

Less than a year following our first discussion about the U.S.- China trade war, we’re revisiting the topic with former guest Scott Maberry. We’re examining whether fears of China becoming a dominant world economic player are as accurate and threatening as many believe. We’re also taking a closer look at some of the unanticipated and unexpected effects of the U.S.’s dealings (or lack thereof) with China. Joining me is former guest, from Episode 1, Scott Maberry. Scott is an International Trade partner in the Government Contracts, Investigations & International Trade Practice Group in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. Scott counsels clients and litigates disputes in the areas of export controls, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), anti-terrorism, economic sanctions, anti-boycott controls, anti-money laundering (AML), the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), trade remedies including antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) matters, and Customs.  What We Discuss in This Episode: What is a trade war as we see it playing out in current times? What are the U.S.’s goals in having initiated the current trade war? Is the perceived trade deficit in the U.S. as bad as it seems? Why the goal of eliminating the trade deficit with China is not the right goal Does China have a strategy for world economic dominance? Can there be more than one dominant economic hegemon in the world? Why the old ways of cooperation between the U.S. and China no longer work How can China use the debt market power it currently holds to harm the U.S.? What is China’s take on the trade war? The extraordinary circumstances surrounding the U.S. population’s acceptance of the burden of increased tariffs Could there be entirely unanticipated winners and losers in this trade war? Contact Information: Scott's Sheppard Mullin attorney profile   Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Wednesday. If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, Google Play, or Spotify.  It helps other listeners find this show. Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns: LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Sheppard Mullin website This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

The black letter law and articles in this episode are: The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2009-title22/pdf/USCODE-2009-title22-chap11-subchapII.pdf Hitler’s American Friends: The Third Reich’s Supporters in the United States https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-250-14895-7 China Global Television Network (CGTN) registered as a foreign agent https://www.thedailybeast.com/under-pressure-from-us-authorities-state-owned-chinese-tv-network-registers-as-foreign-agent “When is a TV Channel a Foreign Agent” in the Atlantic Magazine https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/04/rt-lobbyist-russia-putin-media/390621/ United States v. Peace Information Center, 97 F. Supp. 255 (D.D.C. 1951) https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/97/255/2247887/ Paul Manafort Sentencing (Eastern District of Virginia only) https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/08/us/politics/manafort-sentencing-ellis.html Skadden Arps FARA Settlement with the Departmetn of Justice https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1124381/download Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent U.S. Elections (Declassified Version) https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/ICA_2017_01.pdf OIG Audit of the Department of Justice’s FARA Enforcement Unit https://oig.justice.gov/reports/2016/a1624.pdf Summary of the Audit: https://oig.justice.gov/press/2016/2016-09-07.pdf FARA reform bills from: Sen. Chuck Grassley https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/sen-grassley-rep-johnson-introduce-bill-shine-light-foreign-influences Sen. Dianne Feinstein https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=2DC67701-9D40-4068-9D21-4E5442748FF9 Dr. Bradley Hart is an Assistant Professor at Fresno State University and the author of “Hitler’s American Friends” http://www.fresnostate.edu/artshum/mcj/faculty-staff/faculty/bradley-hart.html Kathleen Kedian is a Senior Counsel at Raytheon Company and a Professorial Lecturer in Law at George Washington University Law School. She served as Principal Deputy Chief of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Chief of the Counterespionage Section of the US Department of Justice National Security Division.

The black letter law and articles in this episode are: The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2009-title22/pdf/USCODE-2009-title22-chap11-subchapII.pdf Hitler’s American Friends: The Third Reich’s Supporters in the United States https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-250-14895-7 The Sedition Act of 1918 http://www.legisworks.org/congress/65/publaw-150.pdf Abrams v. United States 250 US 616 (1919) https://www.oyez.org/cases/1900-1940/250us616 Alien Registration Act of 1940 or The Smith Act https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2385 Viereck v. United States, 318 U.S. 236 (1943) https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/318/236/ A Night at the Garden short film https://anightatthegarden.com/ The Official German Report http://www.gbv.de/dms/sub-hamburg/44666104X.pdf Dennis v. United States, 341 U.S. 494 (1951) https://www.oyez.org/cases/1940-1955/341us494 Yates v. United States, 354 U.S. 298 (1957) https://www.oyez.org/cases/1956/6 Dr. Bradley Hart is an Assistant Professor at California State University, Fresno and the author of “Hitler’s American Friends” http://www.fresnostate.edu/artshum/mcj/faculty-staff/faculty/bradley-hart.html Kathleen Kedian is a Senior Counsel at Raytheon Company and a Professorial Lecturer in Law at George Washington University Law School. She served as Principal Deputy Chief of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Chief of the Counterespionage Section of the US Department of Justice National Security Division.

Very positive discussions are coming out of the meeting between the two Korean leaders. North and South Korea have signed a series of agreements aimed at easing tensions between the two countries. Pyongyang has offered to welcome international inspectors to oversee the “permanent” dismantling of its missile-engine test site, and also to shut down its main nuclear complex at Yongbyon. This offer is conditional upon the US taking undefined “corresponding measures.” The two Koreas agreed to get that process started by the end of this year. What will the US do?Does everyone really have the right to vote? A recent VOX article, entitled "Why the right to vote is not enshrined in the Constitution: How voter suppression became a political weapon in American politics," examines the mistakes the Founding Fathers made when drafting this important document. It states, "The biggest and most consequential mistake, one could argue, was the decision not to guarantee the right to vote to anyone. Suffrage was treated as a privilege reserved exclusively for property-owning white men, but it was not enshrined as an inalienable right in the Constitution." We'll discuss this and how it could affect the mid-terms. The Justice Department has ordered China's Xinhua News Agency and China Global Television Network to register as foreign agents under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The state-owned news agencies will be required to disclose information about their annual budgets and expenditures, their ownership structures and other information under the act. FARA is supposed to be for organizations or individuals that attempt to influence US policy or public opinion on behalf of foreign governments. But is there something else behind this move, and is the bigger issue about censorship and propaganda?GUESTS: Caleb Maupin - Journalist and political analyst who focuses his coverage on US foreign policy and the global system of monopoly capitalism and imperialism. Max Blumenthal - Co-founder of the Grayzone Project.Cornell Brooks - Professor of public leadership and social justice at the Harvard Kennedy School and director of the William Monroe Trotter Collaborative for Social Justice.

There’s a lot of talk about trade wars lately so in our first episode of Nota Bene, we wanted to explore the current state of US trade policy including our trade wars with China and the European Union. We also explore the history of trade in the United States since World War II, what the Trump trade agenda entails, and what multi-national companies doing business abroad need to know to navigate the current trade environment. We’re joined by Scott Maberry. Scott is an International Trade partner in the firm's Washington, D.C. office and a member of the World Economic Forum. Scott counsels clients and litigates disputes in the areas of export controls, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), anti-terrorism, economic sanctions, anti-boycott controls, anti-money laundering (AML), the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), trade remedies including antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) matters, and Customs.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What is a trade war? Why are tariffs and how are they used as trade barriers? How World War II was an important marker in history with regard to US trade policy Are trade barriers good for the US economy in the long run or is it merely a short-term gain? How laws and regulations are the chosen weapons used by nations to fight trade wars What’s going on with the import duties placed on goods from China? The European Union, despite historically being a US ally, is now engaged in a trade war with the United States. What are trade blocks and why are they important when it comes to trade? How the US all but erased the ink off the Trans-Pacific Partnership Why and how multi-nationals with customers or supply chain outside of the US are greatly affected by the trade wars How tariffs in one country lead to retaliatory tariffs in another country and ultimately, no one wins in trade conflicts. The economic benefits of reduced tariffs What is the Trump trade agenda? Is it a good strategy for our economy? What is the scope of the current trade wars with China and the EU? What members of the C-Suite should be thinking about right now knowing all of this information about the current trade wars Resources Mentioned: Trade Act 1974 – Section 301 Office of the United State Trade Representative United States International Trade Commission United States Department of Commerce Contact Information:  Scott Maberry's firm profile Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Wednesday. If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show. Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns: LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Sheppard Mullin website This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.  

On this episode of "Fault Lines," hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss the accusations of sexual misconduct against GOP Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore that have led some Republican Senators to vow they will work to expel the embattled candidate from the Senate should he win the special election next month. Some erstwhile Moore supporters such as FOX News personality Sean Hannity are demanding that Moore explain himself or lose their support. Meanwhile, many Evangelicals remain steadfastly behind Moore. Can Democrat Doug Jones—best known for bringing the KKK terrorists who killed 4 little girls in the infamous Birmingham church bombing to justice—win in one of the reddest of red states? Garland and Lee will also discuss federal authorities ordering the RT news network to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)—a law intended to curtail Nazi propaganda before World War II. What are the ramifications of this edict for other foreign-based news agencies including the British Broadcasting Company (BBC), Al Jazeera, and Agence France-Presse (AFP)? Will this have a chilling effect on other news agencies that question more or tell the untold? The hosts and guests will analyze top news stories and issues including the coup in Zimbabwe; the Senator Robert Menendez trial; the latest mass shooting; the U.S. backed Saudi war on Yemen; the tax haven revelations known as “The Paradise Papers”; American Government and Black Politics under Trump; U.S. Nuclear Weapons policies; and other major news items. Scheduled guests include: Rosie Perper - Global News Reporter for Business Insider. Topic: The Paradise Papers—international tax haven sandal. Dominic Carter - Reporter for Verizon Fios News. Topic: Senator Robert Menendez Trial; Steve Cobble associate fellow with the Institute for Policy Studies. Topic: Analysis of 2017 Elections, Moore Scandal; Dr. Wilmer Leon, Author, Radio Host, Professor. Topic: American Government and Black Politics under Trump; Vanessa Favier Co-Chair of Events for UDC David A Clarke law school Latinix Law Students Association. Topic: Changes in Cuban culture, economy, and politics; Paul Kawika Martin Peace Action Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs. Topics: U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policies and the historical congressional vote to end U.S. backing for the Saudi

Paul Manafort is indicted on many different charges such as conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, and false and misleading Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) statements. 

Craig Hanson, We Hold These Truths' California Outreach Director, reports on the recent 2017 Christians United For Israel (CUFI) annual conference held in Washington, DC. Craig reveals in his analysis what should be obvious: AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) and CUFI should fall under the US government's Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). "FARA is a disclosure statute that requires persons acting as agents of foreign principals in a political or quasi-political capacity to make periodic public disclosure of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts and disbursements in support of those activities.  Disclosure of the required information facilitates evaluation by the government and the American people of the statements and activities of such persons in light of their function as foreign agents." In attendance at the CUFI conference were Vice President Mike Pence and Israeli Prime MInister, Benjamin Netanyahu (via live video conferencing). (22 minurtes )

Sanjay Mullick concentrates his practice in export controls, economic sanctions, international dispute resolution and international trade regulation. He is a member of the firm's India practice and is located in the Washington, DC office. Mr. Mullick has a broad range of experience providing counsel to companies on export control matters administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Department of Energy’s rules on nuclear exports under Part 810, as well as economic sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). He also assists clients with compliance matters concerning foreign trade zones (FTZ) and foreign lobbying rules under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).