Explained: What does designation as a ‘state sponsor of terrorism’ by the US mean?

What is the News?

Ukraine’s President has asked the US President to designate Russia as a “State Sponsor of Terrorism”.

What does “State Sponsors of Terrorism” means?

“State Sponsors of Terrorism” is a designation given by the United States Secretary of State (the minister primarily in charge of foreign relations) to countries that have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.

The US can place four categories of sanctions on countries that are on this list: 1) restrictions on US foreign assistance, 2) ban on defence exports and sales, 3) certain controls over exports of dual-use items and 4) miscellaneous financial and other restrictions.

Sanctions can also be placed on countries and persons that engage in certain trade with designated countries.

Which countries are currently on the terrorist designation list?

As of now, there are four countries on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. They are Syria, Iran, North Korea and Cuba.

Can countries be taken off the list? 

Countries can be put and taken off the list from time to time. A country can be de-listed if it is deemed by the US to have reformed its behaviour and returned to complying with the requirements of international law and conduct or if it has undergone a change of leadership.

Source: This post is based on the article “Explained: What does designation as a ‘state sponsor of terrorism’ by the US means” published in Indian Express on 16th April 2022.