Free Republic

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden reinstated oil and gas sanctions on Venezuela on Thursday, a recognition that lifting the sanctions did nothing to entice the socialist regime to host a free and fair election. The Biden administration lifted some of the strictest U.S. sanctions on dictator Nicolás Maduro’s regime last year as part of a dialogue in which Maduro agreed to host a presidential election sometime in 2014. The deal collapsed rapidly; Maduro scrapped it in October and launched a new wave of violence against anti-socialist dissidents, likely bankrolled by new oil profits. The Biden sanctions relief lasted...

SNIPPET: "So there I was, doing that thing I do - targeted collection, and triage based on a range of frequently changing criteria - when I happened to notice this image:" SNIPPET: "georgi.ir: sometimes what isn't there is still interesting"

SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea demanded Monday that all U.N. sanctions and U.S. financial restrictions be lifted before it dismantles its nuclear weapons program. The U.S. said it would normalize relations with the North if it scraps the program. [Snip] The North repeated its demand that it receive a nuclear reactor to be used for generating energy before it abandons its weapons program. It also wants energy supplies until the new facility is built, according to a summary of opening speeches released by one of the delegations involved. If those demands aren't met, North Korea said it will continue...

UNITED NATIONS: Australian Prime Minister John Howard has said the rationale behind sanctions against Iraq has disappeared as the country is now under the administration of the coalition and the weapons of mass destruction would not be used. After meeting UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan here on Monday, he said he had an open mind on the United Nations' role in the post-war scenario but it is important to recognize the reality of what is taking place on the ground. He called for lifting sanctions against Iraq and said what is important is to realize that Iraq is under the administration...