In the final days of his presidency, President Biden signed Executive Order 14142, “Taking Additional Steps With Respect to the Situation in Syria,” to revise Syria sanctions in view of the changing situation in Syria. EO 14142, which was signed on January 15, 2025, amends EO 13894, which authorizes U.S. authorities to sanction persons that contribute to the situation in Syria. The amendments enable sanctions to be imposed against those who provide material assistance to persons blocked pursuant to this order and those who are owned or controlled by, or act on behalf of persons blocked pursuant to this order. On the following day, President Biden signed Executive Order 14144, “Strengthening and Promoting Innovation in the Nation’s Cybersecurity” to address the cyber campaigns conducted by adversarial countries and criminals, including the persistent cyber threat posed by the People’s Republic of China, that target the United States and Americans.
On January 15, 2024, President Biden also extended the national emergency declared in EO 14064 for an additional year. EO 14064 enables U.S. authorities to address the widespread humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and its deepening economic collapse, which continues to pose a threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy. EO 14064 also blocks property of Da Afghanistan Bank (“DAB”) that is held in the United States by U.S. financial institutions – property of which various parties, including representatives of victims of terrorism, have asserted legal claims.
Federal Register – EO 14142 | Federal Register – EO 14144 | Federal Register – Continuation of National Emergency declared in EO 14064