• International Criminal Court-related Designations; Venezuela-related Designation; Issuance of International Criminal Court-related General License

August 18: The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is issuing International Criminal Court-related General License 12, "Authorizing the Wind Down of Transactions Involving Certain Persons Blocked on August 18, 2026."

• Treasury Sanctions Major Ecuador-Based Cocaine Network Linked to Violent Gangs and Mexican Cartels

August 20: the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated 15 Ecuador-based targets and identified as blocked property 10 vessels involved in covertly shipping thousands of kilograms of cocaine each month from South America to Mexico, destined for distribution in the United States.

• Treasury Increases Sanctions on Hizballah and Targets Network Smuggling Millions in Cash for Hizballah

August 20: the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating 10 individuals that are part of a network responsible for transferring cash to Hizballah. 

• Update to OFAC's list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) and Blocked Persons; Issuance of Russia-related General License

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is issuing Russia-related General License 131I, "Authorizing Certain Transactions for the Negotiation of and Entry Into Contingent Contracts for the Sale of Lukoil International GmbH and Related Maintenance Activities." Amending two associated, Russia-related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs 1224 and 1225) and one Cuba-related Frequently Asked Question (FAQ 1265). Issuingh SDN list update. 

• Imposing Sanctions on Cuban Regime

Imposing Sanctions on Cuban Regime Actors Associated with Marxist Subversive Networks and Corrupt Economic Dealings. 

• Treasury Announces Second Round of Sanctions Removals, Updates in Modernization Initiative

On July 27, this actionthis action removed 84 individuals and entities and improved identifying information for 22 list entries to facilitate compliance.

• FinCEN Assesses Historic $125 Million Penalty Against UBS Financial Services Inc. for Recidivist BSA Violations

August 3: The Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) assessed a $125,000,000 civil money penalty against UBS Financial Services Inc. for willful violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). This is the largest penalty ever imposed against a broker-dealer for BSA violations to date.

• Update to OFAC's list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) and Blocked Persons

August 5: OFAC introduces a new Counter Terrorism Designations Removals and Update 

• Issuance of Cuba-related Frequently Asked Questions

August 6: The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is issuing a new Cuba-related Frequently Asked Question, FAQ 1264. Additionally, OFAC has updated the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.

• State Department Revokes More Than 175,000 Visas

August 10: the United States Department of State has revoked more than 175,000 visas from foreign nationals who violated the terms of their visas, committed crimes, called for violence against U.S. citizens, defrauded Americans, abused our immigration system, or endangered national security. 

• New INKSNA Measures Reach Beyond the SDN List: What Exporters and Defense Contractors Must Check Now

On August 4, State published measures against 22 foreign persons that suspend existing EAR licenses, bar new licenses, and restrict U.S. government procurement, assistance, and USML sales. The strongest angle is why screening must extend beyond OFAC and BIS lists. Federal Register notice

• OFAC Targets Iran’s Strait of Hormuz “Insurance” Scheme: Maritime, Crypto, and Shadow-Fleet Risks

OFAC designated 10 entities and identified eight vessels on July 29. The novel hook is Treasury’s allegation that purported mandatory maritime insurance—including digital-asset payments—was generating revenue for Iran. Treasury release, OFAC action

• DDTC’s Open General Licenses Reached Their July 31 Expiration: What Defense-Trade Participants Should Do Next

The licenses covered qualifying retransfers and reexports involving Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. No renewal was located in the materials reviewed, so this promising topic requires same-day confirmation with DDTC before publication. Official notice

• INTERPOL’s New Africa Cyberthreat Assessment: AI Fraud and Cross-Border Investigations

INTERPOL reports that AI was involved “in some capacity” in 55% of cybercrime reported by surveyed African countries. The article could address synthetic identities, international evidence gathering, asset recovery, and cooperation barriers—while clarifying that the assessment is not a Red Notice, prosecution, or new legal rule. INTERPOL announcement

• DOJ’s Corporate Whistleblower Pilot Enters Its Final Scheduled Year

This would be an anniversary-based explainer, not a newly announced action. The practical angle is how sanctions, customs, contracting, and transnational-crime reports fit within the program—and how its eligibility rules interact with other federal whistleblower programs. DOJ program guidance

Alert to Countries, Companies, and Other Entities Regarding North Korean IT Workers.

United States Sanctioning Iran’s Mahan Air Network and IRGC-Linked Front Company.

OFAC issues Venezuela-related Frequently Asked Questions

OFAC issues amended Russia-related General License and Frequently Asked Questions.

OFAC issues Amended Iran-related General License.

OFAC is launching a new online Reconsideration Portal for the submission of requests to be removed from an OFAC sanctions list.