We're approaching the New Year, so I thought it would be a good idea to look at some upcoming ITAR updates that are scheduled for the near future. In this episode I break down the upcoming Interim Final Rules and Final Rules that are scheduled, and highlight the importance of why staying up to date on these changes can be beneficial for your business.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/10/23/2024-24091/international-traffic-in-arms-regulations-itar-us-munitions-list-categories-iv-and-xv

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/07/29/2024-16501/international-traffic-in-arms-regulations-revisions-to-definition-and-controls-related-to-defense

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/08/20/2024-18043/international-traffic-in-arms-regulations-exemption-for-defense-trade-and-cooperation-among

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/02/02/2022-01889/international-traffic-in-arms-regulations-corrections-and-clarifications-for-export-and-reexport

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/05/27/2021-11053/international-traffic-in-arms-regulations-regular-employee

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/08/15/2024-18249/international-traffic-in-arms-regulations-amendments-to-the-definition-of-activities-that-are-not

https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaMain?operation=OPERATION_GET_AGENCY_RULE_LIST¤tPub=true&agencyCode=&showStage=active&agencyCd=1400&csrf_token=8CBC06EB7A55E0CB034A8E9232CACAF1674B064F48C51D71854C0FFA9B88BD5A7D7A0BE2ED9783B4704ACC83A1302B3321CC

A government shutdown certainly didn't slow the news cycle this month. This month was filled with deals, deals, and other trade issues, primarily focused on critical minerals and rare earth metals. I take a brief look at all of those deals (unless another new one came out after I finished!) and a few other stories that made the headlines this month on Russia and Canada. What's the breakdown of these new deals, what's in them, what do they aim to accomplish? Tune in and find out.

Just as predicted, the export control relief targeting Syria was finally published this month. In this episode I take a deep dive into what our sanctions/export control stance towards Syria was up to this point, and examine the reforms that have come through to see what this new stance means for trade with Syria.

https://www.bis.gov/press-release/commerce-eases-export-controls-syria

https://www.bis.gov/node/18307

https://www.bis.gov/regulations/ear/746#section-746.9

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/02/2025-16724/relaxing-export-controls-for-syria

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/31