Global Investigations Review Quotes Soo-Mi Rhee on Evolving Syria Sanctions

Arnold & Porter partner Soo-Mi Rhee, who leads the firm’s Anti-Corruption practice, was quoted in the recent Global Investigations Review article, “Businesses’ road to Damascus lined with legal risks, lawyers say,” which examined the shifting U.S. sanctions and export controls landscape following the change in Syria’s government.

Soo-Mi explained that even as the United States scales back many of its most restrictive measures, companies entering the Syrian market still face meaningful compliance exposure. She noted that lower-tech products remain subject to export controls and often still require licenses.

“Whenever you open up a country for business that was previously subject to comprehensive sanctions, there is still residual risk,” she said.

She also emphasized that while the new policies are more targeted, even less controlled categories of goods may still require licenses, and that companies and financial institutions should continue to adjust their due-diligence processes as a result.

“What surprises people is that lower-tech commodities are still subject to controls, it’s just a lower-level category,” Soo-Mi said.

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