Author MassPoint Legal and Strategy Advisory PLLC

Corruption, Human Rights, and Geostrategy: U.S. Sanctions Belt & Road Project Company

October 29, 2020

The United States has targted a Belt& Road project with Global Magnitsky Sanctions. The move is significant, and might signal a ratcheting up of U.S. opposition to the BRI, which has largely comprised rhetoric, diplomatic lobbying, and relatively tepid competition, such as by the establishment of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

U.S. Targets Chinese Belt & Road Project With Global Magnitsky Sanctions

September 23, 2020

The Treasury Department’s announcement of the sanctions speaks to the foreign policy and geostrategic significance of the UDG sanctions action. The release speaks of China’s “malign” investment in Cambodia, its use of the UDG projects in Cambodia to “advance ambitions to project power globally,” “disproportionality benefit” itself through BRI projects, and concerns that the Dara Kakor project “could be converted to “host military assets.” The Treasury Department’s language echoes U.S. concerns about the BRI and other Chinese international project financing activities, including that China engages in “debt trap” financing.

TikTok: China’s Export Controls Set in Motion Unprecedented Legal Scenario

August 31, 2020

On August 14, President Trump ordered ByteDance to divest its assets and interests in TikTok. What happens if ByteDance does not comply? The question may seem academic, given historical compliance with divestment orders and ByteDance’s talks with U.S. companies about TikTok’s sale. But a recent legal move by China—its expansion of a list of technologies that require government approval for export, including apparently in a sale of TikTok—renders real the issue of non-compliance with the August 14 divestment order, and potentially raises unprecedented issues.

Regulatory landscape for legal firms in the U.S.: Hdeel Abdelhady RegTech Podcast

August 6, 2020

In a two part RegTech podcast, MassPoint's Hdeel Abdelhady talked with Accuity about issues of financial crime, due diligence, and related issues around lawyers as gatekeepers of the financial system.

COVID, Supply Chains, Sanctions & Financial Crime: Hdeel Abdelhady-Accuity Q&A

June 17, 2020

In the second part of her Q&A with Accuity, Hdeel Abdelhady shared her thoughts on the current and potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on global supply chains, sanctions, and financial crime

Iran Sanctions: OFAC Exempts Medicine, PPE Manufacturers (EO 13902)

June 12, 2020

In guidance issued on June 5, 2020, OFAC explained that manufacturers in Iran of medicine, PPE, childcare items, and other essential supplies will be exempt from sanctions targeting Iran's manufacturing sector pursuant to EO 13902.

Hdeel Abdelhady-Accuity Q&A: Sanctions Trends, Lawyers as Gatekeepers

June 10, 2020

Hdeel Abdelhady shared her insights with Accuity on the sanctions landscape and the role of lawyers in fighting financial crime

Global Magnitsky Human Rights and Corruption Sanctions Overview

June 4, 2020

With the adoption of the Global Magnitsky Sanctions, the United States added a powerful weapon to its already formidable legal arsenal. This publication provides an overview of the Global Magnitsky Sanctions.

Sanctions Compliance in a State of Flux: Trends and Guidance Amid Global Upheaval

April 30, 2020

MassPoint Legal and Strategy Advisory PLLC's Hdeel Abdelhady discussed sanctions trends and guidance, as well as issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, in a live event presented by the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists (ACFCS) and Accuity.

Defense Production Act FAQs (COVID-19)

March 24, 2020

What Authority Does the President Have Under the Defense Production Act to Procure Personal Protective Equipment and Ventilators? The DPA vests the President with “priorities and allocations” authorities to procure and prioritize for the government materials, services, and production where “necessary or appropriate to promote the national defense.