November 1, 2008: The U.S. has imposed trade sanctions on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (which is responsible for keeping the clerical dictatorship in power), Rosoboronexport (the organization that controls all Russian arms exports) and companies in Venezuela, China, North Korea, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, and Syria. As a result of this, the U.S. government is forbidden, for two years, from assisting the sanctioned companies, and U.S. firms have a more difficult time doing so. This makes it more expensive, and time consuming, for the sanctioned companies to operate. The sanctions were imposed because the companies had been caught exporting equipment or technologies that aided in the construction of weapons of mass destruction, or their delivery systems (like ballistic missiles.)

Russia is threatening to take this to an international court. But they probably won't, because the American evidence would be embarrassing, at the very least, and not likely to cause judges to look favorably on Russia arms exports policies. Sanctions like these are growing increasingly frequent, and have a growing impact on the ability of terrorists and rogue states to get the weapons and equipment they require for their operations.