On January 7, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the Biden administration determined that members of the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias have committed genocide. As part of the determination, Blinken stated that the United States has deployed sanctions on RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, and against RSF-owned companies located in the United Arab Emirates and individuals for their roles in procuring weapons for the RSF. Additionally, the Department of State announced Hemedti’s designation under Section 7031(c) of the Appropriations Law due to gross violations of human rights in Darfur. Despite the newly announced steps targeting the RSF, Blinken asserted that the “United States does not support either side of this war, and these actions against Hemedti and the RSF do not signify support or favor for the SAF [Sudanese Armed Forces].”
Members of Congress strongly supported the genocide determination. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) Chairman Jim Risch (R-ID), however, criticized the Biden administration for waiting as long as it did, highlighting his own November 2024 proposed legislation labeling the atrocities in Sudan a genocide and his calls for imposing Global Magnitsky sanctions on the RSF and Hemedti. SFRC Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) applauded the administration’s decision and called on the international community to join in sanctioning those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Sudan. Shaheen also encouraged the incoming Trump administration to quickly nominate a Sudan Special Envoy. In the House, Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY) said that the genocide determination was an important step and added that he plans to reintroduce legislation that would require additional sanctions against those committing or enabling atrocities, systematically blocking humanitarian assistance, or violating the Darfur arms embargo.
Also Happening in Washington Last Week…
I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
House Bill Targets Immigration Status of Those Alleged to Support October 7 Attacks. On January 3, Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) introduced H.R.176, which would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit any non-US national “who participated in or otherwise facilitated the October 7, 2023 attacks” from receiving immigration-related protections.
House Resolution Condemns Turkey over Cyprus. On January 7, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) introduced H.Res.17, which condemns Turkey “for its illegal occupation of Cyprus” and calls on the incoming Trump administration to “make the resolution of the Cyprus problem a top foreign policy priority.”
Republicans Seek to Nullify 9/11 Plea Deals. On January 9, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) introduced H.R.296, which would nullify the plea deals made between a US military court and the three Guantanamo Bay inmates who allegedly masterminded the 9/11 attacks. On January 8, Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced similar legislation (S.34). Notably, the Biden administration’s Department of Justice also opposes the plea deals, requesting that the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit order the military court to cancel the plea hearings, or to pause them. On January 9, the appeals court ruled to pause the hearings until January 22.
House Passes Bill to Sanction ICC Officials. On January 9, the House passed H.R.23, which would impose sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) officials who target US citizens or allies, including Israel. The legislation also covers individuals providing “financial, material, or technological support” to the ICC. The bill was led by HFAC Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL) and Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX). It joins legislation introduced by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) to sanction the ICC.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
New HFAC Chair Places Hold on Some Biden Aid Funding. On January 8, HFAC Chairman Mast wrote to Secretary Blinken and USAID Administrator Samantha Power, outlining his intention to stop “uncontrolled spending on programs that are incompatible with the United States’ interests abroad,” including assistance programs that address climate change in the Middle East. Mast stated that he was placing a hold on funding to which he objects.
House Letter Opposes ICC Arrest Warrants for Israeli Officials. On January 9, Reps. Eugene Vindman (D-VA) and Brad Schneider (D-IL) led 40 lawmakers in a letter to the ICC, urging the court to rescind its warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former minister of defense Yoav Gallant.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Hochstein Optimistic About Israel’s Withdrawal from Southern Lebanon. On January 6, White House Senior Advisor Amos Hochstein said that Israel would fully withdraw from southern Lebanon in compliance with the 60-day ceasefire with Hezbollah. Hochstein said that the Lebanese military has already redeployed to some southern towns and added that the United States “expect[s] to see additional progress being made in the days to come.”
Biden to Let Trump Determine HTS ‘Terror’ Designation. On January 8, the Washington Post reported that President Joe Biden will not lift the terrorist designation from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) before the end of his term and will let the incoming Trump administration decide HTS’s status.
Biden Administration Congratulates Lebanon’s New President. On January 9, President Biden called Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to congratulate him on his election, emphasizing the importance of implementing the cessation of hostilities and reaffirming US support for Lebanon’s security forces. In a statement, Biden described Aoun as the “right leader for this time” and expressed confidence in his ability to “provide critical leadership” as “Lebanon recovers and rebuilds.” Secretary Blinken and SFRC Ranking Member Shaheen also issued statements in support of Aoun.
Biden Speaks with Netanyahu About Ceasefire Negotiations. On January 12, President Biden spoke with Netanyahu about ongoing negotiations in Doha, stressing the need for a ceasefire, return of hostages, and a surge in humanitarian aid.
2) Department of State
Department Approves Weapons Sale to Saudi Arabia. On January 3, the Department of State approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia of MK 54 MOD 0 Lightweight Torpedoes and related elements of logistics and program support for an estimated cost of $78.5 million.
Blinken Speaks with Egyptian Foreign Minister. On January 4, Secretary Blinken spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty about ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and the situation in Syria.
Department Official Emphasizes Israel’s Need to Investigate Amcit Killings. From January 6 to 9, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter traveled to Israel to meet with embassy staff and Israeli officials to emphasize the need to complete investigations into the recent killings of US citizens in the occupied West Bank and ensure fair and reciprocal treatment of US citizens traveling to and through Israel.
Department to Reprogram Funds from Egypt to Lebanon. On January 7, Reuters reported that the Department of State notified Congress of its intention to reprogram $95 million in military aid originally appropriated for Egypt to Lebanon.
United States and Mauritania Sign Climate and Energy Cooperation Agreement. On January 8, Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller welcomed the signing of a $27 million Millennium Challenge Corporation Threshold Program agreement with Mauritania intended to develop the country’s energy and climate resilience.
Under Secretary Travels to Turkey and Saudi Arabia. From January 9 to 10, Under Secretary of State John Bass traveled to Turkey for meetings with Turkish government officials about the situation in Syria. Bass emphasized the importance of a political transition “in the spirit of” UN Security Council Resolution 2254, preventing terrorism, and ensuring the defeat of the so-called Islamic State. From January 11 to 13, Bass traveled to Saudi Arabia to attend a meeting of regional and international officials to coordinate support for Syria.
Blinken Discusses Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza with European Counterparts. On January 9, Secretary Blinken met with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, French Middle East and North Africa Director Anne Grillo, and German Political Director Günter Sautter to discuss developments in Syria. The officials discussed the need to uphold international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and prevent Syria from being used as a base for terrorism. The ministers also addressed the implementation of the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, underscoring the need for continued support to the Lebanese Armed Forces, as well as the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the urgency of a ceasefire/hostage release agreement.
3) Department of Defense
CENTCOM Announces Operations in Iraq and Syria. On January 6, CENTCOM announced that US and partner forces conducted airstrikes and raids in Iraq and Syria from December 30, 2024, to January 6, 2025, as part of the Defeat-ISIS campaign. CENTCOM stated that one partner force member was killed and two were wounded.
CENTCOM Strikes Houthi Targets. On January 8, CENTCOM conducted strikes on two Houthi weapons storage facilities in Yemen.
Pentagon Claims No Changes to US Military Posture in Syria. On January 8, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said that the United States is not establishing any permanent infrastructure in Syria, including in the north. Singh reaffirmed that the US footprint within Syria is limited to the eastern part of the country.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Issues Sanctions Relief for Syria. On January 6, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued Syria General License 24 (GL24) to expand authorizations for activities and transactions and ensure that sanctions do not impede essential services and continuity of governance functions in Syria. GL24 does not unblock the property or interest in property of any blocked person under existing US sanctions, including former president Bashar al-Assad, his associates, the Government of Syria, Central Bank of Syria, or HTS.
