Export Compliance News
 

2022

February

    BIS imposes export restrictions on many item destined for Russia/Ukraine (February 24)

    Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) imposed new export restrictions to limit access items that Russia's military needs to wage its illegal aggression on Ukraine. Many items have become restricted since February 24, 2022. Below are new Russia restrictions listed in the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) as follows:

    1. New License Requirements. Impose new license requirements for Russia on all Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) in Commerce Control List (CCL) Categories 3-9, from semiconductors to aircraft parts.
    2. Foreign Direct Product Rules. Add two new "foreign direct product" rules (FDPRs), one for Russia and one for Russian "military end users," but exempt allied countries with similar sanctions against Russia.
    3. De Minimis Rule. Change de minimis analysis of foreign-produced products to take into account all the newly controlled ECCNs in Categories 3-9 as U.S.-controlled content for reexports to and in-country transfers within Russia -- except for exports from certain allied countries, to which the old de minimis rules apply.
    4. Licensing Policy. Implement a licensing policy of denial with a few limited exceptions, including one that will allow case-by-case review of license applications for subsidiaries and JVs of companies headquartered in the United States and certain allied countries.
    5. License Exceptions. Significantly restrict the use of EAR license exceptions, but expand License Exception Consumer Communications Devices (CCD) to include Russia.
    6. Embargo on Donetsk and Luhansk. Impose comprehensive export, reexport, and transfer (in-country) restrictions for the so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) and Luhansk People's Republics (LNR) regions of Ukraine ("Covered Regions").

    For more details, please review the Technology Control Plan, updated 3 March, 2022.

2021

January

    Cuba Redesignated as Terrorist Country (January 11)

    The designation subjects Cuba to sanctions that penalize persons and countries engaging in certain trade with Cuba, restricts U.S. foreign assistance, bans defense exports and sales, and imposes certain controls on exports of dual-use items.

    The US State Department published a press release announcing Cuba's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism ("SST") for allegedly providing support for acts of international terrorism in granting safe harbor to terrorists. Cuba was originally designated as an SST in 1982 but was delisted in 2015 by President Barack Obama.

    Per the State Department website, the United States will continue to support the Cuban people in their desire for a democratic government and respect for human rights, including freedom of religion, expression, and association. Until these rights and freedoms are respected, we will continue to hold the regime accountable.

2020

April

    FBI Guidance on Video-Teleconferencing Security

    As large numbers of people turn to video-teleconferencing (VTC) platforms to stay connected, reports of VTC hijacking (also called "Zoombombing") are emerging nationwide. FBI recommends following steps to mitigate teleconference hijacking threats:

    • Do not make meetings or classrooms public. In Zoom, there are two options to make a meeting private: require a meeting password or use the waiting room feature and control the admittance of guests.
    • Do not share a link to a teleconference or classroom through an unrestricted website or a publicly available social media post. Provide the link directly to specific people.
    • Manage screensharing options. In Zoom, change screensharing to "Host Only."
    • Ensure users are using the updated version of remote access/meeting applications.
    • Lastly, follow OCIO and CF best practices and requirements for physical and information security.

January

    Harvard Scientist Charged With Not Disclosing Chinese Relationship (January 28)

    Renowned Harvard University Nanotechnology expert, Charles Lieber was arrested following a criminal complaint alleging he lied to the Defense Department and the National Institutes of Health about his participation in China's Thousand Talents Plan. Export Enforcement and other government agencies have been warning academia to disclose government foreign investments. Lieber, 60, is the chair of Harvard's Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. He emailed a colleague how he concealed information from defense authorities about his activities related to being paid by the Chinese Government to establish a lab in Wuhan ten years ago.

    Most persons investigated have Chinese nationality or a family tie to their home country such as China, so this case makes Charles Lieber different. He is accused of receiving up to $50,000 a month from the Chinese government. He has been indicted in Boston court.

2019

December

    Chinese Student Arrested at Logan in Attempted Lab Theft

    Customs and Border Protection Officials announced that there have been several searches and seizures of items from non-US researchers leaving the country from Boston with lab specimens.

    In December, Zaosong Zheng, 29, a Chinese medical student and a cancer researcher was stopped at Logan airport and found to have stolen specimens from his lab at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in his luggage. The FBI, Office of Export Enforcement and other law enforcement agents regularly warn export compliance officers in the academic community of China's longstanding effort to illegally acquire intellectual property from American colleges and universities.

    Several Boston-based researchers have apparently been stopped at Logan as part of the enforcement effort and it was cited that 18 stops had been made in December. Actions can result in revocation of visas.

    The National Institutes of Health is also scrutinizing collaborations and has opened more than 180 investigations into potential violations involving foreign influence in US research.

October

    New Cuba Policy (October 2019)

    Please read New Cuba Policy file for details.

June

    Updated Cuba Travel Rules from U.S. Government (June 5, 2019)

    The U.S. regulatory landscape vis-á-vis Cuba is complex and continues to change. For example:

    • the U.S. government added entities to Cuban Restricted List, updated April 24, 2019,
    • the State Department has recently imposed a policy of limited contact between U.S. Executive Branch Agency and Cuban officials, and
    • the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) amended the regulations to remove the authorization for group people-to-people educational travel, effective June 5, 2019.
    • Note: professional research continues to be one of the 12 authorized travel types allowed under a general license
    • OFAC has published a number of updated Frequently Asked Questions and a Fact Sheet pertaining to this regulatory amendment.

    If you have ongoing or upcoming collaboration with colleagues in Cuba, or plans to travel to Cuba, please contact the Export Compliance Officer. We need to maintain records of all activities, such as:

    • Reimbursement of, or payment to, Cuban researchers or scholars, regardless of whether payments are related to activities carried out in the U.S. or Cuba
    • Import/export of specimens, materials or cultural objects between the U.S. and Cuba
    • Donations of equipment to Cuban researchers or setting up an office in country
    • Research or scholarly collaborations with Cuban counterparts, including but not limited to those individuals who may qualify as Cuban government officials

    Please note that past approvals or guidance regarding Cuba-related activities may be revised going forward, so please continue to contact the ECO before engaging in additional activities with Cuba.

    If you have questions about Cuba, or other export compliance/sanctions questions, please contact the Export Compliance Officer, Natascha Finnerty, at export@si.edu.

May

    Revisions to Country Group Designations for Venezuela (May 24, 2019)

    The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) removed Venezuela from Country Group B, which affords favorable treatment for certain exports of National Security-controlled items, to Country Group D:1, which lists countries of national security concern. This final rule makes these changes to the EAR to reflect current national security concerns related to Venezuela, e.g., the introduction of foreign military personnel and equipment into Venezuela, and to better protect U.S. national security.

    Addition of Huawei and non-US affiliates to the Entity List (final rule) - (May 16, 2019)

    Effective May 16, 2019, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by adding Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei) to the Entity List. The U.S. Government, then provided a 90 draw down period, as it has determined that there is reasonable cause to believe that Huawei has been involved in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States. BIS is also adding non-U.S. affiliates of Huawei to the Entity List because those affiliates pose a significant risk of involvement in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States.

April

    State and Commerce Announce Review of Space Export Controls and Request Proposals for Changes in the Way Space Telescopes are Controlled

    The export control lists are updated every few years. This year, the export control agencies are looking to Space EXPORT controls, including the space optics for space telescopes are controlled.

    Here is the notice that appeared in Federal register 46 FR 8485 and 5. The export control system uses the size of space-based optical telescopes as the technical parameter differentiating between items controlled by the Department of Commerce in Commerce Control List (CCL) Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 9A515.a.1and by the Department of State in USML Category XV(a)(7) and XV(e)(2).

    This is based on physics, and specifically the fact that larger optical telescopes generally can generate higher-resolution images than smaller ones. NASA tends to use larger optical telescopes for astrophysics missions because the celestial bodies these missions observe are many light years away, and smaller optical capabilities cannot physically meet the relevant science requirements.

    At the same time, because NASA missions are designed and calibrated to observe distant celestial objects, they are physically incapable of observing the Earth, which is so bright relative to distant objects that NASA's telescopes would suffer permanent physical damage if pointed at Earth.

    Essentially, NASA astrophysics missions form a class of spacecraft which meet the technical definition for national security-sensitive spacecraft regulated by the Department of State, but are incapable of observing the Earth. In the past, this issue has been addressed by creating separate regulatory categories for specific missions. For example, the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA's next flagship astrophysics mission, was the subject of specific regulatory activity (see, 82 FR 2875 and 2889, Jan. 10, 2017) to ensure that it is controlled by the Department of Commerce under ECCN 9A004 even though it otherwise meets the control text of USML Category XV. However, since it would be impractical to issue an updated regulation every time NASA initiates a new astrophysics mission, the Department is seeking comments from the public on a way to provide technical differentiation within U.S. export control regulations between the space-based optical telescopes for astrophysics missions and those used for Earth observation.

March

    Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Technology Control Plan Now Live on Export Compliance Page

    SAO's Technology Control Plan has been uploaded to the Export Compliance web page for easy access. It is available on the Policies and Procedures page.

2018

August

    Commerce Awards India Cooperating Country Status

    August 3, 2018 -- Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to formally recognize and implement India's membership in the Wassenaar Arrangement (Wassenaar or WA). Further, BIS provide preferential treatment in license exception Strategic Trade Authorization. This action befits India's status as a Major Defense Partner and recognizes the country's membership in three of the four export control regimes: Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), WA and Australia Group (AG). Read More: (83 FR 38018)

    Commerce Punishes China by Adding 44 Chinese Entities to Entities List

    August 1, 2018 -- The U.S. Government determined that these parties acted contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States. A license is required to export items or technology and there is a presumption for denial. Read More: (83 FR 37423)

June

    Local Chinese National Arrested for Conspiring to Illegally Export U.S. Origin Goods Used in Anti-Submarine Warfare to China

    Defendent allegedly illegally exported devices used to detect and monitor sound underwater

    June 21, 2018, BOSTON -- Chinese national was arrested today and charged in connection with violating export laws by conspiring with employees of an entity affiliated with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to illegally export U.S. origin goods to China, as well as making false statements to obtain a visa to enter the United States and to become a lawful permanent resident under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program. Shuren Qin, 41, a Chinese national residing in Wellesley, Mass., was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of visa fraud and one count of conspiring to commit violations of U.S. export regulations. Qin was arrested today and is to appear in federal court in Boston on June 22, 2018. Read More: Department of Justice

May

    Chinese officials asked the the United States to amend the federal government's recently announced seven-year ban on U.S. companies selling components and software to Chinese telecom equipment firm ZTE Corp.

    May 4:The appeal, which came in the midst of this week's U.S.-China trade talks in Beijing, follows last month's ban of ZTE by the Trump administration for company actions related to U.S. sanctions against Iran. Read More: Reuters

April

    State Releases Factsheet Concerning Unmanned Aerial Systems Export Policy

    April 30: The President has approved a new policy on the export of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This policy updates and replaces the previous policy announced February 17, 2015. This policy will apply to all U.S.-origin UAS transfers, whether under the authority of the United States Munitions List (USML) or the Commerce Control List (CCL). Read More: Department of State Press Release

    White House Considers Restricting Chinese Researchers Over Espionage Fears

    April 30: "The Trump administration, concerned about China's growing technological prowess, is considering strict measures to block Chinese citizens from performing sensitive research at American universities and research institutes over fears they may be acquiring intellectual secrets, according to people familiar with the deliberations.

    "The White House is discussing whether to limit the access of Chinese citizens to the United States, including restricting certain types of visas available to them and greatly expanding rules pertaining to Chinese researchers who work on projects with military or intelligence value at American companies and universities. The exact types of projects that would be subject to restrictions are unclear, but the measures could clamp down on collaboration in advanced materials, software and other technologies at the heart of Beijing's plan to dominate cutting-edge technologies like advanced microchips, artificial intelligence and electric cars, known as Made in China 2025." Read More: New York Times

    FLIR fined by SEC and Justice Department for Bribery and Export Violations

    April 25: On April 25th, the Justice Department fined FLIR Systems, Inc. $30M, resulting from findings of 347 unauthorized exports during 2007-2012. The violations are related to foreign person employment, including dual/third county nationals of Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, license management issues related to not adhering to the scope of the license and deficient recordkeeping; and violating of political contributions rules. $15M will be due to paid in the next 4 years, the remainder of $15M is to be allocated to the development of effective export compliance programs.

    Earlier, on April 8th, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged FLIR Systems Inc. with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) by financing personal travel for government officials in the Middle East who played key roles in decisions to purchase FLIR products. FLIR earned more than $7 million in profits from sales influenced by the improper travel and gifts.

    FLIR, which develops infrared technology for use in binoculars and other sensing products and systems, agreed to settle the SEC's charges by paying more than $9.5 million and reporting its FCPA compliance efforts to the agency for the next two years.

    Treasury Designates Russian Oligarchs, Officials, and Entities in Response to Worldwide Malign Activity

    April 6, 2018, WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), in consultation with the Department of State, designated seven Russian oligarchs and 12 companies they own or control, 17 senior Russian government officials, and a state-owned Russian weapons trading company and its subsidiary, a Russian bank. Read More: Department of the Treasury

March

    ZTE Corporation Agrees to Plead Guilty and Pay Over $430.4 Million for Violating U.S. Sanctions

    March 7: ZTE Corporation Agrees to Plead Guilty and Pay Over $430.4 Million for Violating U.S. Sanctions by Sending U.S.-Origin Items to Iran, Combined Penalty of $1.19 Billion with Department of Commerce and Department of Treasury Actions Shows All of Government Approach to Sanctions Enforcement

    ZTE Corporation has agreed to enter a guilty plea and to pay a $430,488,798 penalty to the U.S. for conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by illegally shipping U.S.-origin items to Iran, obstructing justice and making a material false statement. ZTE simultaneously reached settlement agreements with the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). In total ZTE has agreed to pay the U.S. Government $892,360,064. The BIS has suspended an additional $300,000,000, which ZTE will pay if it violates its settlement agreement with the BIS. Read More: Department of Justice press release

2017

November

    November 8 - Changes in Export Controls rules for Cuba: Updated Cuba Travel Rules from U.S. Government.

    On November 8, 2017, the Departments of Treasury, Commerce, and State announced amendments to the United States's sanctions program with Cuba. The following is a brief summary of two key changes from the new announcement; however, please contact export control at export@si.edu for tailored guidance in advance of planning any travel to Cuba or any project with persons in Cuba.

    The new guidance contains a list of Cuban parties with whom people subject to United States jurisdiction may no longer engage in financial transactions, including many hotels, restaurants, and stores. This list can be located on the State Department's List of Restricted Entities and Sub-entities Associated with Cuba. The guidance also stated that Academic Exchange and People-to-People travel must be with an organization that is physically present in Cuba, and subject to United States jurisdiction.

    These changes will have little impact on the Smithsonian's current activities vis-à-vis Cuba, which occur largely under the general license provision §515.562. The Administration did not change the applicability or nature of this license category in its latest guidance.

    SI travelers to Cuba or interacting with persons in Cuba must contact SI export control atexport@si.edu to discuss your project or travel in advance.

June

    June 16 - Changes in Export Controls for Cuba: On June 16, 2017 the White House announced changes to the U.S. Cuba policy and sanctions programs. Most commonly asked questions regarding these changes are addressed in the FAQs available here (Or use this direct link to the .pdf)

    For Smithsonian purposes, these changes will have little to no impact on our current activities vis-à-vis Cuba which occur largely under the general license provision §515.562 Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations. The Administration did not change the applicability or nature of this license category in its latest guidance.

    For general purposes, the primary change that the Administration made was to end "individual people-to-people travel," which is defined as educational travel that: (i) does not involve academic study pursuant to a degree program; and (ii) does not take place under the auspices of an organization that is subject to U.S. jurisdiction that sponsors such exchanges to promote people-to-people contact. Regulations formally implementing this guidance are still forthcoming from the Department of Treasury.

    SI travelers to Cuba or interacting with persons in Cuba must contact SI export control at export@si.edu to discuss your project or travel in advance.

January

    January 13 - Treasury To Issue General License to Authorize Transations with Sudan: Action to be Taken in Conjunction with New Executive Order. Download the US Treasury Department fact sheet here (.pdf format).

2016

September

    September 2016 Advisory About Iran: Iran is frequently in the news today. With the exception of a few specific activities, most dealings with Iran are either prohibited or require approval of a specific license from the Treasury Department. SAO's Export Compliance Officer, Natascha Finnerty, has assembled the following FAQ on Iran: Advisory About Iran. This document will also be available on the Export Compliance Countries With Export Restrictions page.

July

    June COGR Meeting Report Addresses Controlled Information vis a vis Iran. This report includes interpretation of what definitions were accepted, which ones are still pending, transfer on export controlled information in a secure end-to-end encrypted form and COGR dealings with OFAC in relation to Iran. June COGR Meeting Report (links to Microsoft Word document).

May

March

    Chinese National Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Hack into U.S. Defense Contractors' Systems to Steal Sensitive Military Information, March 23, 2016: A Chinese national pleaded guilty today to participating in a years-long conspiracy to hack into the computer networks of major U.S. defense contractors, steal sensitive military and export-controlled data and send the stolen data to China.... Read More at Justice.Gov

February

2015

September

    Expansion of General Licenses to Cuba, September 21, 2015: The Commerce and Treasury Departments will take additional coordinated actions in support of the President's Cuba policy. These actions include a rule published by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) that amends the terms of existing license exceptions that are available for Cuba, increases the number of license exception provisions that are available for Cuba, creates a new Cuba licensing policy to help ensure the safety of civil aviation and the safe operation of commercial passenger aircraft, and makes the deemed export and deemed reexport license requirements for Cuba consistent with other sanctioned destinations.

    These actions further implement the President's policy to chart a new course in bilateral relations with Cuba and to further engage and empower the Cuban people, announced on December 17, 2014. The President explained that these steps build upon actions taken since 2009 that have been aimed at supporting the ability of the Cuban people to gain greater control over their own lives and determine their country's future. On January 16, 2015, the Commerce and Treasury Departments published initial regulations to implement certain elements of this policy, including changes to licensing policy and license exceptions in the EAR that are consistent with U.S. support for the Cuban people (see 80 FR 2286 and 80 FR 2291). Additionally, on July 22, 2015, BIS published a rule implementing the May 29, 2015, rescission of Cuba's State Sponsor of Terrorism designation (see 80 FR 43314).

    Despite these changes, the United States continues to maintain a comprehensive embargo on trade with Cuba. The export and reexport to Cuba of all items subject to the EAR still requires a BIS license, unless authorized by a license exception specified in § 746.2(a)(1) of the EAR.

    For additional information, please review the rule, the press release and BIS's updated Frequently Asked Questions. For any specific questions regarding transactions involving Cuba, please contact the Foreign Policy Division at (202) 482-4252.

    BIS CUBA CALL-IN PROGRAM: The Bureau of Industry (BIS) has scheduled monthly call-in programs to field questions from the exporting community concerning the Cuba rules published on January 16, 2015, July 22, 2015, and September 21, 2015. The next programs will occur at 2 PM Eastern Time on October 13, November 10, and December 8. Call-In Information:

    • Toll Number: 1-210-838-9521
    • Toll Free Number: 1-888-889-0538
    • Passcode: CUBA

July

    Cuban Government Opens in Washington, DC - July 20, 2015 - After more than 50 years, the U.S. and Cuba are restoring diplomatic relations, with the Cuban government opening in embassy in D.C. on Monday morning July 20, 2015.(http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/sicw/EN/ConsularServices.aspx) . US Interests Section opens in Havana.

May

    BIS and State Department Dept. Publish Joint Infrared Rules and Request for Comment - 05/05/2015 Citation 80 FR 25798 - Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR): Control of Fire Control, Range Finder, Optical, and Guidance and Control Equipment the President Determines No Longer Warrant Control Under the United States Munitions List (USML).

    This proposed rule describes how articles the President determines no longer warrant control under Category XII (Fire Control, Range Finder, Optical and Guidance and Control Equipment) of the United States Munitions List (USML) of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) would be controlled under the Commerce Control List (CCL) by creating new "600 series" Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCN)s 6A615, 6B615 and 6D615 for military fire control, range finder, and optical items, by revising ECCN 7A611 and by creating new ECCNs 7B611, 7C611 and 7E611 for military optical and guidance items. In addition, for certain night vision items currently subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), this rule proposes to expand the scope of control, eliminate the use of some license exceptions, and create new ECCNs for certain software and technology related to night vision items. This proposed rule would also expand the scope of end-use restrictions on certain exports and reexports of certain cameras, systems, or equipment and expand the scope of military commodities described in ECCN 0A919.

    • BIS RULE PDF
    • STATE DEPARTMENT RULE PDF

2014

    Obama Announces U.S. and Cuba Will Resume Relations - December 16, 2014 - "We will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests and instead we will begin to normalize relations between our two countries," Mr. Obama said in a nationally televised statement from the White House. The deal will "begin a new chapter among the nations of the Americas" and move beyond a "rigid policy that is rooted in events that took place before most of us were born."
    Here is what the Economist said this week.

    Office of Undersecretary for Finance and Administration Issues Notice About Export Compliance - September 17, 2014 - The Smithsonian Institution is committed to complying with all U.S. laws and regulations applicable to the Smithsonian's shipment, transmission or transfer of regulated items, information and software to foreign countries, persons or entities. A new Smithsonian Directive, SD 611, "Export Compliance and Trade Sanctions Related To Research, Export and Museum Activities," is forthcoming and a comprehensive export compliance program is being implemented to build awareness and understanding about export compliance and to ensure that all of the Smithsonian's international activities (including collaborations with, or the hiring of foreign persons and institutions, purchasing and shipping) are vetted for compliance with U.S. laws.
    The full notice and drafts of SD 611 can be found on the Directive to Comply section of our web site.

    Federal REAL ID Act Requirements Now In Effect - July 21, 2014 - Effective July 21, 2014, all US Government Agencies are required to adhere to the Federal REAL ID Act phase two requirements for access to Federal facilities. The Act will impact Visitors to NASA facilities using state-issued ID to access the Center. Only driver's licenses or identifications cards from states that meet REAL ID standards may be used for Visitor access. Current noncompliant states and territories whose driver's licenses do not meet the Real ID standards are: Alaska, America Samoa, Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Oklahoma, and Washington State. Visitors with driver's licenses from these states will be required to present an alternate form of identification for unescorted access. For more information, see our REAL ID Act and NASA Facilities page.

    NASA suspends contact with Russians: - (April 2, 2014) - A memo from the organization states, "Given Russia's ongoing violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, until further notice, the U.S. Government has determined that all NASA contacts with Russian Government representatives are suspended, unless the activity has been specifically excepted. This suspension includes NASA travel to Russia and visits by Russian Government representatives to NASA facilities, bilateral meetings, email, and teleconferences or videoconferences. At the present time, only operational International Space Station activities have been excepted."
    All SAO travel requests to Russia must now go through the ECO, Natascha Finnerty, or in her absence the back-up ECO, Tom Bonnenfant. Nextgov.com

    EdX Blocks Course Content to Cuba, Iran, Sudan: - (March 3, 2014) - "Due to federal regulations, edX plans to block students in Cuba, Iran, and Sudan from taking an upcoming online course on aerodynamics and modern aircraft design, according to a blog post written by edX president Anant Agarwal on Monday." The Harvard Crimson

    NASA IG Finds no Evidence of Intentional Export Control Violations at Ames: - (February 27, 2014) - "Officials at NASA's Ames Research Center in Mountain View, Calif., did not intentionally violate export control laws but 'exercised poor judgment' in sharing export-controlled information with foreign nationals at the center, NASA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) concluded in a report summary published Feb. 26." Space News

2013

    Export Control Reform Rollout: Transitioning ITAR items to the Commerce Control List. Status and FAQ regularly updated at the Political Military Affairs, Directorate of Defence Trade Controls web page.

    NASA Shuts Down Database During Security Inquiry: "NASA has shut down a large public database and is limiting access to agency facilities by foreign citizens as part of a broader investigation into efforts by China and other countries to get information about important technology." New York Times, March 23, 2013

 
 

Section Photo