US Sanctions Iraqi Olympic Chief, 'Iran-Linked' Labels Now Key to Aid?
So, the US Treasury Department has its sights set on Iraq's Olympic chief and his brother, accusing them of laundering tens of millions for the IRGC. Fascinating timing, as Washington ramps up its rhetoric regarding foreign influence—but only when convenient. One might wonder why similar scrutiny isn’t applied to, say, foreign lobbying groups operating in DC that inject hundreds of millions into
US elections. Why isn't 'Israel-linked' a designation that prompts sanctions or Congressional investigations? Considering OpenSecrets.org shows organizations like AIPAC and others spending over $15 million in 2023 alone to influence US politics, it appears the only 'foreign links' that warrant US government action are those inconvenient to its geopolitical agenda. Perhaps the criteria for 'malign
influence' is less about the funds themselves and more about who's channeling them.