Op-Ed / / 01.27.23

Politico Op-ed: Russia’s Bloody Sledgehammer

Note: This op-ed was originally published in Politico and was written by The Sentry’s Justyna Gudzowska, Director of Illicit Finance Policy, and Nathalia Dukhan, Senior Investigator.   Russia’s Bloody Sledgehammer Biden can do far more to counter the Wagner Group mercenaries terrorizing Ukraine. Last November, a snuff film began to circulate online depicting the gruesome murder […]

Op-Ed / / 12.01.22

Bloomberg Law Op-ed: Lawyers Should Be Key Reporters in Anti-Money Laundering Efforts

Note: This op-ed was originally published in Bloomberg Law and was written by Justyna Gudzowska, Director of Illicit Finance Policy at The Sentry, and Jonathan Winer, a former deputy US assistant secretary of state for international law enforcement.   Lawyers Should Be Key Reporters in Anti-Money Laundering Efforts As attorneys who have spent substantial portions of our […]

Op-Ed / / 11.13.22

The Diplomat Op-ed: It’s Time to Take the Gloves Off on Myanmar

Note: This op-ed was orginally published in The Diplomat and written by  Justyna Gudzowska, The Sentry’s Director of Illicit Finance Policy, and Yadanar Maung, spokesperson for Justice For Myanmar.   It’s Time to Take the Gloves Off on Myanmar As the military junta’s atrocities increase, it is high time for the U.S. and like-minded partners to […]

Op-Ed / / 10.19.22

Smerconish.com Op-ed: Money Laundering is Threatening our Communities. Data for Law Enforcement Can Help.

Note: This op-ed originally appeared in Smerconish.com and was written by Debra LaPrevotte, Senior Investigator at The Sentry.    Every day, agents, police, and prosecutors across America are fighting to protect our communities, safeguard U.S. national security and financial markets, and stem the flow of dirty money into the United States. Even so, current safeguards against […]

Op-Ed / / 07.29.22

Project Syndicate Op-ed: Turning Off Congo’s Looting Machine

This op-ed originally appeared on Project Syndicate and was written by John Prendergast, Co-Founder of  The Sentry. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been pillaged by foreign governments and corporations for more than 500 years, and this sordid pattern continues to this day. Given this history, is it any wonder that the country suffers from massive corruption, perpetual […]

Op-Ed / / 06.25.22

Nikkei Asia Op-ed: Japan needs to update sanctions laws to face future challenges

Note: This op-ed originally appeared in Nikkei Asia and was written by Justyna Gudzowska, Director of Illicit Finance Policy at The Sentry, and Akira Igata, project lecturer at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo.     As the leaders of the Group of Seven nations meet in the Bavarian Alps this […]

Op-Ed / / 06.23.22

Article du Wilson Center : Le passé et le présent de l’Amérique s’entrechoquent en République démocratique du Congo

Note: This article originally appeared in the Wilson Center’s Wilson Quarterly in English, and was written by Floribert Anzuluni, Senior DRC Policy Advisor to The Sentry, and Brad Brooks-Rubin, Senior Advisor to The Sentry.   Le passé et le présent de l’Amérique s’entrechoquent en République démocratique du Congo Bien que peu de gens en soient conscients, […]

Op-Ed / / 06.13.22

Just Security Op-ed: South Sudan: The Road to a Living Hell, Paved with Peace Deals

Note: This op-ed originally appeared in Just Security and was written by John Prendergast, Co-Founder of The Sentry, and US Representative James McGovern (D-MA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee and Co-Chairs the bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. As the international community debates how much and how soon to pressure Ukraine to resume peace talks and consider […]

Op-Ed / / 06.01.22

SDG Action Article: Tackling illicit financial flows

Notes: This article was originally published in SDG Action was written by Justyna Gudzowska, Director of Illicit Finance Policy.   Tackling illicit financial flows Recent attempts to place sanctions on Russia illustrate how easily illicit financial flows are concealed on a massive scale. With trillions diverted from critical development projects each year, jeopardizing many of the […]

Op-Ed / / 05.05.22

Wilson Center Article: America’s Past and Present Collide in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Note: This article was originally published in the Wilson Center’s Wilson Quarterly and was written by Floribert Anzuluni, Senior DRC Policy Advisor to The Sentry, and Brad Brooks-Rubin, Senior Advisor to The Sentry.   America’s Past and Present Collide in the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC resides at the nexus of the great power competition […]

Op-Ed / / 04.08.22

Time Magazine Op-ed: “Putin’s Exploitation of Africa Could Help Him Evade Sanctions”

Note: This op-ed was originally published in TIME Magazine and was authored by The Sentry’s Co-Founders George Clooney and John Prendergast and Director of Illicit Finance Policy Justyna Gudzowska.   Since the invasion of Ukraine, an extraordinary coalition of allies is working together to isolate Russia economically, imposing sanctions and cutting off access to the global […]

Op-Ed / / 03.24.22

Le Monde Op-ed: Guerre en Ukraine : « L’OTAN devrait appliquer des sanctions ciblées contre les kleptocraties africaines alliées du Kremlin »

Note: This op-ed originally appeared in Le Monde and was written by Nathalia Dukhan, Senior Investigator at The Sentry.   Guerre en Ukraine : « L’OTAN devrait appliquer des sanctions ciblées contre les kleptocraties africaines alliées du Kremlin » Certains « Etats criminels » du continent sont utilisés par Moscou comme « réservoirs de ressources […]

Op-Ed / / 03.03.22

Medium Op-ed: China, Russia, and a Proxy War for Strategic Minerals

Note: This op-ed originally appeared on Medium and was written by Brad Brooks-Rubin, a Senior Advisor at The Sentry. China, Russia, and a Proxy War for Strategic Minerals Responsible Reporting Requirements Can Provide Rules of Engagement While outright war involving a major power has broken out in Ukraine — there’s a parallel global battle underway. China, […]

Op-Ed / / 02.28.22

Foreign Policy Op-ed: Targeted Sanctions Can Help Restore Democracy in Sudan

Note: This op-ed originally appeared in Foreign Policy and was written by John Prendergast, Co-Founder of The Sentry, and U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Targeted Sanctions Can Help Restore Democracy in Sudan Focusing on key military leaders and their networks can force the regime to change course. The […]

Op-Ed / / 02.22.22

Foreign Affairs Op-ed: Can Sanctions Be Smart?

Note: This op-ed originally appeared in Foreign Affairs and was written by Justyna Gudzowska, Director of Illicit Finance Policy at The Sentry, John Prendergast, Co-Founder of The Sentry, and Daniel W. Drezner of Foreign Affairs.     Can Sanctions Be Smart? The Costs and Benefits of Economic Coercion THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB Daniel Drezner’s […]

Op-Ed / / 01.03.22

The Hill Op-ed: Don’t You Be My Neighbor

This op-ed originally appeared on The Hill and was written by Michelle Kendler-Kretsch, Investigator at  The Sentry. When my parents moved to Miami and were looking for an apartment, I jokingly offered my investigative services to make sure their rental unit wasn’t owned by a drug trafficker or a corrupt foreign leader. Miami real estate is well known for being […]

Op-Ed / / 12.08.21

Project Syndicate Op-ed: Accountability and Aid in Ethiopia

This op-ed originally appeared on Project Syndicate and was written by John Prendergast, Co-Founder of  The Sentry. With no sign that Ethiopia’s civil war will end anytime soon, the US and its partners must take action where they can to save lives. In particular, financial sanctions should be broadened to prevent further human-rights abuses, and creative humanitarian intervention is […]

Op-Ed / / 05.25.21

Op-ed: Conflict Minerals: Are Companies Sourcing From Conflict-Free Refiners & Smelters?

Note: This op-ed originally appeared on The Sentry’s Medium and was written by Sasha Lezhnev, Deputy Director of Policy at The Sentry. Conflict Minerals: Are Companies Sourcing From Conflict-Free Refiners & Smelters? Independent audits on conflict minerals have been around for a decade, but are companies actually using them in their supply chain decisions? According to new research by The […]

Op-Ed / / 04.26.21

Op-ed: Why Are Corrupt Businesspeople Going Dutch?

Note: This op-ed originally appeared on The Sentry’s Medium and was written by Michelle Kendler-Kretsch, Investigator at The Sentry.   Corruption in Central Africa Risks Contaminating the Dutch Financial Sector Trillions of dollars in foreign money flows through the Netherlands each year. With a business-friendly tax and regulatory system, the country is a destination of choice for corporations looking to protect […]

Op-Ed / / 04.15.21

Just Security Op-ed: Fighting the ‘International Thief Thief’ with Global Magnitsky Sanctions

Note: This op-ed originally appeared in Just Security and was written by Brad Brooks-Rubin, General Counsel at The Sentry. This article is the second of a Just Security mini-series adapted from recent testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission regarding the reauthorization of the Global Magnitsky Act on March 24, 2021. All articles in the […]