This course provides a comprehensive and practice-oriented exploration of U.S. sanctions and trade policy tools as instruments of geopolitical influence, conflict response, and foreign policy enforcement. It analyzes the legal frameworks behind sanctions regimes—both unilateral and multilateral—administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (OFAC), the Department of Commerce (BIS), and the Department of State, particularly in the context of economic warfare, diplomatic crises, armed conflict, cybersecurity threats, and human rights violations.
Through a deep legal analysis of executive orders, statutes (IEEPA, CAATSA, ECRA), regulations (ITSR, EAR), and compliance obligations, students will gain hands-on skills to advise private entities, governments, and NGOs on navigating sanctions risks. Simulations focus on corporate responses, licensing, internal investigations, crisis response strategies, and litigation tied to geopolitical sanctions.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
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Understand the statutory and regulatory foundations of U.S. sanctions programs.
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Analyze the geopolitical and legal rationale for sanctions against state and non-state actors.
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Interpret executive orders, OFAC programs, and trade-related restrictions in real-time conflict scenarios.
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Evaluate the intersection between sanctions, export controls, secondary sanctions, and financial regulation.
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Develop compliance frameworks and legal risk assessments for corporations operating in sanctioned jurisdictions.
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Draft internal and external legal strategies for responding to sanctions, including license applications, investigations, and enforcement actions.
