Washington is “not letting up pressure” on combating Syria's role in the Captagon trade in the Middle East, despite escalating regional tension, the congressman leading the US drive against the drug has told The National.
Republican French Hill, who has spearheaded Captagon legislation in Washington, spoke to The National on Thursday after his Illicit Captagon Trafficking Suppression Act cleared a key hurdle in the House Foreign Affairs Committee with unanimous support.
The bill, co-sponsored by Democrat Jared Moskowitz, would impose new sanctions on people and networks associated with the production and trafficking of the drug.
“These things signal that the US is not letting up our pressure on [President Bashar Al Assad's] regime to come to the table to take a different approach in the situation in Syria, and I think it's important send that message to the region,” Mr Hill said.
It received support from the committee's senior Democrat Gregory Meeks after including language allowing for humanitarian waivers on new sanctions.
He said President Joe Biden's administration has “taken steps to improve” Washington's co-ordination with its partners on Captagon, but “much more can be done”.
“The bipartisan amendment ensures legitimate humanitarian work can continue, while making sure that these additional sanctions are targeted and effective,” Mr Meeks told the committee at the bill's mark-up hearing this week.
Mr Hill said: “Using the best open source intelligence that's been released … we've identified key actors in the Lebanese and Syrian region that we believe are easily and well-documentedly responsible for the Captagon trade.”
Maher Al Assad, brother of the Syrian President and leader of an elite brigade in the Syrian military, is among those to be designated under the legislation.
Previously, Mr Hill sponsored the Captagon Act, which mandates that the State Department, the Pentagon and other federal agencies devise a strategy against narcotics production and trafficking networks linked to the Assad regime.
The congressman said this new legislation is “a good step” in boosting US efforts “assisting of the region in eradicating Captagon”.
“It also sends the signal that we are committed to keeping the pressure on the Assad regime … and also providing a major voice that one of the goals that the Arab League stated that they were attempting to achieve through their normalisation process with Assad,” he added.
Arab countries allowed Damascus back into the Arab League in May after a 12-year absence in hopes of addressing Syria's refugee crisis engaging with the Assad regime to curb the Captagon trade.
Mr Hill said this new legislation “has a diplomatic, important contribution to the Arab League's efforts to also put pressure on the Assad regime for policy and major changes that they want to see the Assad regime accomplish”.
Jordanian authorities destroy 12.5 million Captagon pills – in pictures
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More on animal trafficking
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
SPECS
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A Dog's Journey
Directed by: Gail Mancuso
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Josh Gad, Marg Helgenberger, Betty Gilpin, Kathryn Prescott
3 out of 5 stars
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
MOTHER%20OF%20STRANGERS
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
57%20Seconds
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If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes.
The car
Hertz offers compact car rental from about $300 (Dh1,100) per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
The national park
Entry to Mount Rainier National Park costs $30 for one vehicle and passengers for up to seven days. Accommodation can be booked through mtrainierguestservices.com. Prices vary according to season. Rooms at the Holiday Inn Yakima cost from $125 per night, excluding breakfast.
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