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Treasury Acts Against North Korea’s Banker as Nuclear Talks Look Forward
By Steven C. Welsh
March 30, 2007
The Treasury Department has finalized its rule cutting off Macau’s Banco Delta
Asia (BDA) from the U.S. financial system for lax institutional practices and
connections to North Korean criminal activity, and now has alleged BDA
connections to WMD proliferation. Ironically, while the rulemaking process and
the related freezing and then relocating of accounts may have delayed nuclear
talks temporarily, it appears the long-run impact might be to help pull North
Korea out of the shadows and back to the negotiating table. Steven C. Welsh, CDI
research analyst and legal scholar takes a closer look at the Treasury action
and the six party talks.
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UN Security Council Responds Again to Iranian Nuclear Crisis
By Steven C. Welsh
March 30, 2007
Proliferation risks and Iran’s lack of cooperation with the International Atomic
Energy Agency have prompted the UN Security Council to weigh in again on the
Iranian nuclear crisis, unanimously enacting another Iran resolution. Binding
under international law, UNSC Resolution 1747 demands Iranian compliance and
widens sanctions, even while still holding out hope for a renewal of diplomatic
efforts. Meanwhile Iran has staged yet another hostage crisis, invading Iraqi
waters to seize British personnel carrying out a UN mandate, later claiming to
interrogate them to extract a “confession.” Steven C. Welsh, CDI research
analyst and legal scholar, takes a closer look.
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Iraq Study Group Report - Highlights and Observations
By Steven C. Welsh
Jan. 9, 2007
Steven C. Welsh, CDI research analyst and legal scholar, takes another look at
some of the issues flagged, and some missed, by last month’s report by the
unofficial Iraq Study Group.
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GTMO Update: Saudi detainees transferred, D.C. court dismises bin-Laden
petition, courthouse controversy
By Steven C. Welsh
Dec. 15, 2006
The Department of Defense on Dec. 14, 2006, announced the transfer of 16
Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) detainees to Saudi Arabia; another 100 could leave pending
negotiations with home countries. Meanwhile, on Dec. 13, 2006, a D.C. federal
court applying the Military Commissions Act of 2006 (MCA) threw out a GTMO
habeas corpus petition, reversing its own earlier decision in litigation that
led to the Hamdan v. Rumsfeld Supreme Court decision striking down GTMO military
commissions, which in turn resulted in the MCA. Back on GTMO, controversial
courthouse budgeting apparently will await the new Congress. Steven C. Welsh,
CDI analyst and legal scholar takes a closer look.
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Iraq Study Group Readies Report
By Steven C. Welsh
Dec. 5, 2006
On Dec. 6, an unofficial Iraq Study Group, spawned by members of Congress last
March, will issue a report on Iraqi nation-building that aspires to provide
bipartisan, independent views on the strategic environment in Iraq and its
surrounding region, as well as ways to enhance Iraqi security and Iraqi economic
and political development. There is speculation it could include views on U.S.
force posture and potential future draw-downs. Steven C. Welsh, CDI analyst and
legal scholar takes a closer look.
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UN Security Council and IAEA Grapple with Iranian Nuclear Defiance
By Steven C. Welsh
Nov. 22, 2006
The IAEA has issued a new, confidential report on its efforts to investigate the
Iranian nuclear program, as Iran defiantly forges ahead, the UN Security Council
wrestles with “how tough to get” in its follow-up resolution, and the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors prepares to meet
starting Nov. 23, 2006. Steven C. Welsh, CDI analyst and legal scholar, examines
the report and some of the related international frameworks.
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Iraqi Tribunal Imposes Death Sentence on Saddam Hussein
By Steven C. Welsh
Nov. 8, 2006
Bringing Saddam and his henchmen to justice has posed unique challenges to an
Iraq seeking to rightly subject a former totalitarian dictatorship to rule of
law, while also respecting rule of law by providing fair trials. The Iraqi High
Tribunal has announced it is sentencing Saddam Hussein to hang for a 1982 mass
killing of Shia villagers, risking controversy over whether his execution will
help bring national healing, or instead forestall additional charges and a
fuller historical record, while stirring international concern over whether the
death penalty itself is inconsistent with rule of law. CDI analyst and legal
scholar Steven C. Welsh explains.
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World Trade Center Redevelopment; Court Rules Insurance Not Covering Improved
Security
By Steven C. Welsh
Nov. 8, 2006
A federal court in Manhattan has ruled that World Trade Center insurance
coverage cover the replacement of the downed buildings on an “as was” basis, as
they previously stood, not rebuilding them in compliance with new requirements
and regulations that seek to make them more secure. At the same time, as noted
below, the improvements are hypothetical given that the WTC will not be rebuilt,
but have its site redeveloped to include both memorials and commercial space.
CDI analyst and legal scholar Steven C. Welsh explains.
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Military Commissions Act Reestablishes Special Terrorism Courts, Further
Stirs Torture Debate
By Steven C. Welsh
Oct. 12, 2006
Fueling debate over counter-terrorist intelligence interrogation, Congress has
sent S.3930, The Military Commissions Act of 2006 (MCA) to the president for his
signature. The MCA creates new terrorism courts housed within the U.S. military,
raising the prospect of, in some cases, admitting evidence gained through
coercive interrogations. CDI research analyst and legal scholar Steven C. Welsh
explains.
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Terrorism Detainees: Geneva Convention Common Article 3
By Steven C. Welsh
Sept. 12, 2006
Under the Supreme Court's Hamdan decision on Guantanamo Bay military
commissions it appears that Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions can be
applied to global counterterrorist operations wherever they involve the
territory of a party to the Geneva Convention, a reality purportedly reflected
by evolving DOD detainee policies. Steven C. Welsh, CDI research analyst and
legal scholar, sets out some of Common Article 3's provisions.
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Iranian Regime Defiant in Face of Aug. 31 Nuclear Deadline
By Steven C. Welsh
Aug. 31, 2006
As multilateral engagement of the Iranian nuclear controversy continues to
unfold, the Iranian regime remains defiant in the face of an Aug. 31, 2006,
deadline set out in the legally binding UN Security Council Resolution 1696 to
suspend proliferation-sensitive nuclear fuel cycle activities and cooperate
fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Steven C. Welsh, CDI research
analyst and legal scholar takes a closer look.
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Hezbollah Fundraiser IRSO Branded Terrorist Financier by Treasury
By Steven C. Welsh
Aug. 30, 2006
The U.S. Treasury Department on Aug. 29, 2006, designated Beirut-based
Islamic Resistance Support Organization (IRSO) under Executive Order 13224 for
its alleged fundraising activities on behalf of Hezbollah. Steven C. Welsh, CDI
research analyst and legal scholar, examines some of the findings and
implications.
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As National Security Surveillance Controversy Moves Forward, Rule of Law
Should be Antidote to Lawlessness of Terrorism
By Steven C. Welsh
Aug. 29, 2006
Leaks to the news media have raised public awareness over national security
surveillance as all three branches of the government grapple with how to move
forward in a manner that defends the nation's security while preserving the
constitutional way of life. Steven C. Welsh, CDI research analyst and legal
scholar, touches on some of the relevant legal questions, along with a broader
legal and philosophical landscape in which rule of law and sovereignty are
challenged by terrorist renegades that in many respects are a throwback to a
lawlessness of old.
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Iranian Nuclear Program: UN Security Council Resolution
In a robust multilateral effort the UN Security Council has passed Resolution
1696, which demands that Iran halt proliferation-sensitive nuclear fuel cycle
activities and comply with IAEA demands for greater cooperation and
transparency. The UNSC, working with the IAEA, has imposed an Aug. 31 deadline
for compliance. Steven C. Welsh, CDI research analyst and legal scholar, takes a
closer look and sets out key passages from the resolution.
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Saudi-based Charitable Organization Sanctioned for Supporting Terrorist
Activities
A Saudi-based entity posing as an Islamic charitable organization recently had
two branches, and an executive, subjected to U.S. sanctions for supporting
terrorist activities. The U.S. Treasury Department made such a determination
under Executive Order 13224, a post-Sept. 11 effort against terrorist financial
schemes. Steven C. Welsh, CDI research analyst and legal scholar takes a closer
look.
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G8 Foreign Ministers Forecast Key Issues Relating to International Security
The annual G8 leaders’ summit takes place July 15-17, 2006, in St. Petersburg,
Russia. Steven C. Welsh, CDI research analyst, highlights the international
security-related issues expected to be at the center of their agenda.
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Supreme Court Halts Guantanamo Bay Military Commissions, Applies Geneva
Convention to War on Terror By Steven C. Welsh
July 6, 2006
Steven C. Welsh, CDI research analyst and legal scholar, examines the Supreme
Court's June 29, 2006, decision halting Guantanamo Bay military commissions.
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Guantanamo Bay Tribunals: U.S. Transfers 14 Guantanamo Bay Detainees to Saudi
Arabia
By Steven C. Welsh
June 28, 2006
The United States has transferred 14 Guantanamo Bay detainees to Saudi Arabia,
based on the results of a Combatant Status Review Tribunal and Administrative
Review Board, as the world awaits the Supreme Court Hamdan v. Rumsfeld
decision on Military Commissions. CDI legal analyst Steven C. Welsh addresses
the transfers and aspects of the evolving Guantanamo Bay legal frameworks.
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U.S.-EU Summit: Rule of Law Paramount for Leading Issues of Iran, Iraq, Middle
East Democratization, Counter-Terrorism, Trade and Foreign Investment
By Steven C. Welsh
June 21, 2006
On June 21, 2006, a U.S.-EU summit will take place in Vienna, Austria, set
to focus on diverse issues relating to foreign policy, energy security, trade
and global challenges.
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U.S. Military Personnel Charged with Murder, Other Offenses in Connection with
Iraqi Detainee Deaths
By Steven C. Welsh
June 20, 2006
The U.S. military on June 19, 2006, announced charges of murder, attempted
murder, conspiracy, communicating a threat, and obstruction of justice against
U.S. military personnel in connection with the deaths of three male detainees on
May 9, 2006, in the Sunni-dominated Salah ad Din Governorate northwest of
Baghdad.
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Nonproliferation Sanctions: Treasury Department designates U.S. and Chinese
companies under EO 13382 over missile-related and dual-use trade with Iran
By Steven C. Welsh
June 14, 2006
The U.S. Treasury Department announced June 13, 2006, it has designated
four Chinese companies, and one of the firms’ U.S. representative, under
Executive Order 13382 for supplying missile-related and dual-use components to
the Iranian military and other Iranian entities. The designation freezes the
U.S. assets of the designees and prohibits U.S. persons (including corporations)
from engaging in transactions with them.
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Iran Nuclear Program: IAEA report issued June 8, 2006, in anticipation of
June 12 Board of Governors meeting
By Steven C. Welsh
June 9, 2006
As Iran continues to review an EU-U.S. proposal to curtail
proliferation-sensitive aspects of its nuclear program, and the Iranian matter
remains before the UN Security Council, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Director General Mohamed ElBaradei has issued a brief report on Iran in
anticipation of a June 12, 2006, IAEA Board meeting. The text of the
confidential report, among other things, reveals only partial Iranian
cooperation, resumed nuclear fuel cycle activities, and the discovery of new
small traces of highly enriched uranium.
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Iran Nuclear Challenge: UN Security Council-IAEA partnership looked to serve
as robust multilateral alternative to preemptive unilateralism
By Steven C. Welsh
May 20, 2006
Steven C. Welsh, CDI research analyst and legal scholar, examines some of
the latest efforts towards multilateral engagement of the Iranian nuclear
controversy by the international community....
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UN Security Council authorities under UN Charter Chapter VII: IAEA and Iran
By Steven C. Welsh
May 20, 2006
Steven C. Welsh, CDI research analyst and legal scholar, examines aspects of
the flexible tools granted the UN Security Council by the UN Charter....
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Russian Military Personnel Abuse: Russian military court imposes prison term,
awards financial compensation over brutal hazing resulting in amputations
By Steven C. Welsh
May 20, 2006
Steven C. Welsh, CDI research analyst and legal scholar, contributes this
short commentary for leading international e-journal Johnson's Russia List....
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Abu Ghraib Revisited: U.S. intelligence officer prosecuted over prisoner
abuse
By Steven C. Welsh
May 8, 2006
The Abu Ghraib detention facility has reentered the public eye with the U.S.
military announcing that it is prosecuting Army intelligence officer Lt. Col.
Steven L. Jordan in connection with detainee abuse at the prison. Steven C.
Welsh, CDI research analyst and legal scholar, takes a closer look.
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