Russia Is A State Sponsor Of Terrorism - Blog Posts

Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism: What does it mean?

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine drags on, many have called on the United States government to label the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. The impacts of this action would be catastrophic for Russia.

What is Terrorism?

Let’s begin by defining what Terrorism is. The United Nations has defined terrorism as Criminal acts intended to provoke a state of terror in the general public, which under no circumstances can be justified. Is Russia guilty of this?

Absolutely. Ever sense the unprovoked invasion began, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian civilians, destroying apartments buildings, hospitals, and shopping centers. Missile attacks in Mariupol, Chernihiv, Kramatorsk, Odessa, Kharkiv, Kremenchuk, Chasiv Yar, and Vinnytsia have resulted in large numbers of civilian casualties. The Russian government also has a long history of aggression both inside and outside of the country. This includes the support of the brutal regime of Syrian dictator Bashir Al-Assad, allegedly organizing the murders of various dissidents such as Boris Nemtsov and Anna Politkovskaya, conducting war crimes during the Second Chechen War between 2000 and 2009, and involvement in the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 over Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine in 2014.

State Sponsors of Terrorism

Beginning in the 1970’s, the United States Department of State has maintained the list of “State Sponsors of Terrorism”. Countries included on this list have been alleged to have “repeatedly provided support for acts of international Terrorism”. Inclusion on the list imposes strict unilateral sanctions that the US government can also make allied nations and trade partners follow. The countries that are currently on the list are North Korea, Syria, Iran, and Cuba. Countries that have been on the list in the past include Iraq, Libya, South Yemen, and Sudan.

Results of being Designated a Terrorist State

Being included on this list is followed by unilateral sanctions. Bear in mind, some of these are already in place due to the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the ongoing war:

A ban on arms-related exports

Controls over dual-use items, requiring a 30 day Congressional notice for good or services that could significantly enhance the country’s military capabilities. Dual use items are products that have both civilian or military applications. This includes vehicle parts, chemicals, mechanical equipment, and electronic components.

Prohibition on economic assistance of any kind

Requiring the United States to oppose loans by the World Bank and other international financial institutions

Lifting diplomatic immunity to allow families of terrorist victims to file civil lawsuits against the country in American courts

Denying companies and individuals tax credits for income earned in terrorist listed countries

Denial of duty free treatment of goods exported to the United States

Authority to prohibit any US citizen from engaging in a financial transaction with a terrorist listed government without a Treasury Department license

Prohibition of Defense Department contracts above $100,000 with companies controlled by Terrorist list states

The main sanction that would happen if Russia were included would be to its reputation. Jason Blazakis, former Director of the U.S. State Department Counterterrorism Finance and Designations Office in the Bureau of Counterterrorism and Professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, stated in an Op-Ed for the Los Angeles Times, that Russia being designated a terrorist state would be the “ultimate sanction”. Think about it. What country would want to be doing business with a terrorist state? Many nations would cease trade or any other operations in Russia very quickly. Any governments that continue to do business with Moscow would be subject to secondary sanctions. “It would also have the added benefit of getting more companies to de-risk from Russia. That would likely include US and non-US companies. Businesses don’t like operating in countries that are state sponsors of terrorism” Blazakis stated. Although many companies have ceased operations in Russia already, those that haven’t would flee in droves.

As you can see designating Russia as a terrorist state would have catastrophic impact on the Russian economy. The “nuclear economic option” so to speak. Maybe this would finally get the point across to Russia that their invasion is unjustified and immoral. I will also list charities you can donate to to help Ukraine. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

World Vision

International Medical Corps

Save the Children

Action Against Borders

Project HOPE

International Rescue Committee

Heart to Heart International

CARE International

Razom for Ukraine

Voices of Children

Come Back Alive

Serhiy Prytula Foundation

United24

Hospitallers

Army SOS