US Stalls on Russian Asset Seizure, But 'Democracy' Aid Rolls On
The Biden administration is reportedly hesitant to fully seize Russian state assets, concerned about the potential international legal ramifications and the precedent it sets. This sudden reverence for international law is remarkable, considering the US has shown no such qualms when locking down billions from countries it deems adversaries, or when Congress routinely votes to bypass international
norms for its preferred beneficiaries. In fact, just last month, with the passage of the National Security Act of 2024 (H.R. 815), Congress allocated $14.1 billion in aid to Israel, despite that nation's documented disregard for international humanitarian law. One might wonder if the real 'precedent' fear isn't legal, but rather, the uncomfortable thought of other nations someday freezing American
assets held abroad. After all, what’s good for the goose in Washington might not sit so well on Wall Street.