Bi-weekly News & Opinion - September 3, 2026

United States Lifts Major Remaining Syria Sanctions, Clearing Path for Recovery

The Trump Administration has removed Syria from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group responsible for overthrowing the Assad regime, from the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists. These moves clear the last major sanctions hurdles that had blocked Syria’s integration into the global economy and continued to constrain humanitarian and post-war rebuilding efforts. Read more at C&SN. (Sep. 3)

Trump Administration’s Sanctions on the ICC Implicates Nonprofits

Secretary State Marco Rubio has imposed sanctions on the president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Tomoko Akane, and an ICC senior trial lawyer, Abdoulaye Seye, due to their efforts to “investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials whose government has not consented to ICC jurisdiction.” These sanctions are the latest efforts of the Trump Administration’s campaign to “systematically disable” the ICC in retaliation for its efforts to investigate U.S. and Israeli officials for potential war crimes committed in Palestine. Read the updated analysis and what these sanctions mean for nonprofits at C&SN. (Updated Sep. 3)

Court Records Reveal Extent of DHS Investigations of Progressive Groups in Minnesota

According to federal court records, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has spied on progressive nonprofits, labor unions, and businesses throughout Minnesota using clandestine tactics attempting to conjure evidence that a list of political targets involved with organizing the anti-ICE protests in January had broken the law. Read more at C&SN. (Sep. 1)

United States Imposes Sanctions on Three “Far-Left Terrorist Networks”

The U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Autistici Inventati or A/I Collective, an Italy-based organization that “provide[s] internet support to activists and collectives,” Palestine Action, a UK-based entity that carries out direct action to end Israel’s apartheid system and the genocide, and Masar Badil, also known as the Palestinian Alternative Revolutionary Path Movement, a global organization that advocates for Palestine. These sanctions implicate the international targets, but also the networks of organizations that may engage with them. Read the full analysis at C&SN. (Sep. 1)

These Protesters Were Charged with Terrorism. Who's Next? - C&SN Quoted in The New York Times

C&SN’s Senior Legal Advisor, Katherine Tomaszewski, is quoted in The New York Times underscoring the challenges of reforming counterterrorism laws. “Once terrorism laws are in place, they are hard to roll back,” she said. "No one wants to be seen as ‘soft on terror.'” The article explores the Trump Administration’s exploitation of vague definitions regarding the provision of “material support” to crack down on protesters. Read the article here. (Aug. 18)

25 Years of the War on Terror – Conference: When Will This War End: Lessons and Legacies of the War on Terror 

Muslim Counterpublics Lab is organizing a conference, co-sponsored by George Washington University’s Institute for Middle East Studies, exploring the impacts of the global War on Terror 25 years on. At the conference, experts will examine how America and its allies continue to deploy War on Terror frameworks, particularly Islamophobia and xenophobia, to manufacture consent for draconian surveillance and immigration policies, and exorbitant military spending for campaigns of ethnic cleansing, genocide, occupation, and extractivism.

• The event will be held at George Washington University in Washington D.C. from Sep. 17 to 18. Read the event details and sign up here.

Consider registering as a C&SN Member (no financial commitment required) to receive our weekly Opportunity Spotlight Newsletter. There we share exclusive opportunities for civil society input, webinars, events, and working groups on key issue areas such as sanctions, material support, financial access, lawfare, civil society rights and resiliency, human rights in counter-terrorism and more. 

25 Years of the War on Terror: How Islamophobia Became Policy

A new report by the Bridge Initiative argues: “A quarter of a century later, the language and infrastructure of the War on Terror remains firmly in place, flexible enough to expand at the will of presidential authority that can unilaterally deem a marginalized community to be a threat, with little to no scrutiny or accountability.” (Sep. 1)

Just Advice: A Guide to Getting Legal Advice on Sanctions and Counterterrorism Laws for Charities and Campaigning Organizations

Through straightforward explainers, step-by-step tips, and real-world examples, a new guide by Conciliation Resources and Sistren Legal Collective gives organizations a basic understanding of sanctions and counterterrorism laws in the UK. It helps them to know where to start looking for legal support, what to expect, and how to ask the right questions. (June 2026)

Explore a full list of resources designed to support the nonprofit sector as they prepare and respond to lawsuits, disinformation, and other forms of attack on civil society at C&SN’s Civil Society Rights & Resiliency hub.

Trump Designates Protesters Terrorists. How Far Will It Go?

“Protesting is terrorism. At least, that is the message that the Trump Administration has communicated in a series of recent actions, culminating last week in its designation of the U.K.-based Palestine Action as a terrorist group,” Elizabeth Beavers writes in Responsible Statecraft. (Aug. 31)

Prop. 317 Would Call Drug Cartels Terrorists. Critics Fear Who Else It Could Catch.

Arizona voters will decide whether Mexican drug cartels will be labeled terrorist organizations under their state laws, which could be used to send further military forces to the border and implicate a wider population. Gloria Rebecca Gomez reports for AZ Mirror. (Aug. 31)

IRS Proposal would Force Nonprofits to Disclose Fraud or Terrorism Convictions of Leaders

The Trump Administration may amend Form 990 to force nonprofits to disclose in their annual tax filings whether their top officials have been convicted of a variety of crimes, information which critics believe could be used for political targeting and prosecution through guilt by association. Gabe Kaminsky and Sarah N. Lynch report for CBS News. (Aug. 18)

DOJ Revives Push to Rewrite FARA Rules

The Department of Justice is considering making changes to the Foreign Agents Registration Act for the first time in decades, leaving analysts guessing as to whether it might narrow exemptions. Jacob Wendler reports for POLITICO. (Aug. 20)

Visa, Mastercard Launch International Card Payments in Syria after U.S. Lifts Terrorism Designation

According to reports, Mastercard had completed “the world's first end-to-end international card payment in Syria,” while Visa said it had tested its first live international transaction in the country with Lebanon-based Fransabank. Feras Dalatey reports for Reuters. (Aug. 27)

Deadly Attacks on Aid Workers and Contractors Surge in South Sudan as UN Urges Protection

"Every killing must be investigated, and those responsible held accountable. The continued loss of humanitarian personnel, overwhelmingly South Sudanese nationals, is unacceptable,” stated a UN official. Deng Machol reports for Associated Press. (Aug. 19)

Israel Puts Thousands at Risk Blocking Crucial Supplies for Halthcare in Gaza 

"Thousands of people in Gaza, Palestine, are at heightened risk of death and severe illness, as Israeli authorities continue to restrict the entry of engine oil and spare parts into the enclave," warns Médecins Sans Frontières. (Aug. 12)

How Anti-ICE Protesters Became Prisoners in Trump’s War on Antifa

The Prairieland case where defendants were sentenced on terrorism charges due to their participation in an anti-ICE protest in Texas has become the Department of Justice’s “proving ground for its new war on antifa,” Andrew Fedorov writes for Mother Jones. (September 2026)

Defendants in Minnesota Church Protest Case Challenge Charges in Flurry of Motions

Defendants of a prosecution in Minnesota where anti-ICE protesters disrupted a church service have issued several motions raising questions about the fairness of the case and the investigative tactics used to make it. Alan Feuer reports for The New York Times. (Aug. 31)

Judge Declares Rubio’s Speech-Based Student Deportations Violate the Constitution

A federal judge declared that the Trump Administration’s efforts to deport noncitizens for political speech violates First and Fifth Amendment rights. Gregory Svirnovskiy and Ben Johansen report for POLITICO. (Aug. 29)

Trump’s Justice Department Arrests Expert on Far Right as Part of SPLC Crackdown

Federal prosecutors charged Heidi Beirich, who previously monitored hate groups like the KKK with Southern Poverty Law Center, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to submit false statements to a federally insured bank and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering, Sam Levine reports for The Guardian. (Aug. 12)

• C&SN joined over 440 civil society groups in denouncing the indictment of Southern Poverty Law Center as a “naked attempt to weaponize the criminal justice system to silence speech and activities the administration dislikes.” The Trump Administration accuses the Southern Poverty Law Center of violating financial crime laws by paying undercover informants to infiltrate extremist groups.

U.S. Sanctions on Iran Cut Off Students From Tests Needed for Study Abroad

The latest measures have forced the cancellation of English proficiency and graduate exams, isolating many Iranians most eager to foster ties with the world. Erika Solomon and Sanam Mahoozi report for The New York Times. (Sep. 1)

Sanctions Watch August 2026

Read the Center for Economic and Policy Research’s latest edition of Sanctions Watch, which provides updates and analysis on U.S. sanctions regimes across key contexts, such as Cuba, Iran, Palestine, and more. (Aug. 31)

Treasury Launches New Broad Iran Sanctions Initiative and Expands Secondary Sanctions Risk

The U.S. Department of Treasury imposed sanctions on nearly 60 individuals and entities in key sectors of the Iranian economy, and suspended previously available permits for activity such as personal remittances. Read the full analysis at Mondaq. (Aug. 28)

U.S. Ramps up Cuba Sanctions and Detentions of Americans Returning from the Island

The Trump Administration imposed more sanctions on industries in Cuba, broadening restrictions that bar Americans from dealings with Cuban government-owned or -affiliated businesses. Matthew Lee reports for Associated Press. (Aug. 20)

Cuba Has Plenty of Doctors. So Why Is Its Healthcare System Collapsing?

U.S. sanctions and embargoes have drastically cut energy supply in Cuba, pushing much of the country into near-constant darkness, and undermining Cuba’s healthcare system in the process. Ananya Rupanagunta reports for Vox. (Aug. 19)

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