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The Executive Order 13981, issued by President Donald J. Trump, focuses on protecting the United States from security risks associated with Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) made by foreign adversaries. The order outlines steps to prevent the use of taxpayer money for buying UAS that present security threats, calls for assessments of current government UAS use, and encourages prioritizing domestically produced UAS. It defines "covered UAS" as those manufactured or containing components from nations like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea and emphasizes examining how these systems are used by federal agencies. The order also directs agencies to consider replacing these UAS in future budgets.

The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence will hold a two-day virtual public meeting on January 25 and 26, 2021, to discuss advancing artificial intelligence technologies for national security. During the meeting, the Commission will review and deliberate on draft chapters and recommendations for their final report to Congress and the Administration. The meeting, open to the public, will feature opening remarks from key figures such as Dr. Eric Schmidt and discussions on topics like AI research, recruitment, ethical AI, and global cooperation. Members of the public can register on the Commission's website to access the meeting's livestream.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has revised the Export Administration Regulations by adding 13 entities to the Entity List, which includes organizations acting against the national security interests of the U.S., from countries like Burma, China, and Pakistan. This amendment primarily targets entities tied to military modernization and human rights abuses. As a consequence, these entities now have stricter requirements for licenses on exports and transfers. Additionally, the rule corrects minor errors and offers transitional provisions for items already in transit.

In a memorandum dated January 13, 2021, the President of the United States delegated authority to the Secretary of State. This delegation allows the Secretary to decide if it's crucial for national security to sell up to $6.8 million worth of cluster munitions technology to South Korea. The decision can be made without considering other legal restrictions related to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. The memorandum also instructed that this authority be published in the Federal Register.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has finalized a rule to implement the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, specifically its section 22425. This rule amends the Freight Car Safety Standards to enforce restrictions on new freight cars introduced in the U.S. It prohibits using sensitive technology and components originating from countries of concern or state-owned enterprises, as well as materials that infringe on U.S. intellectual property rights. From January 21, 2025, freight car manufacturers must certify compliance with these standards to operate their vehicles in the United States.

In Executive Order 13993, the President outlines changes to immigration enforcement policies in the United States. The order emphasizes the importance of setting priorities that protect national security, address challenges at the southern border, and safeguard public health and safety, while also ensuring fairness and respect for immigrant families and communities. It revokes a previous order, Executive Order 13768, and directs relevant government officials to review and adjust policies to better align with the new administration's values. Additionally, the order clarifies that it does not create legal rights enforceable against the U.S. government.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is requesting public comments on a proposed information collection, as part of its ongoing effort to reduce paperwork burdens under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. They are particularly interested in feedback on reducing information collection burdens for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees, as per the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002. The information collection concerns submarine cable reporting, which is important for national security and emergency preparedness. Comments are due by February 10, 2021.

The State Department has designated Sultan Yusuf Hasan al-'Arif, also known by several aliases, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. This action is taken under Executive Order 13224, which targets leaders of terrorist groups like al-Qa'ida. As a result, Sultan al-'Arif's property and interests within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked. The Secretary of State, Michael R. Pompeo, determined that providing prior notice to al-'Arif could undermine the effectiveness of these measures, as it might allow for the rapid transfer of funds.

The Bureau of Industry and Security, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is updating the Export Administration Regulations to impose new restrictions on certain biotechnology equipment. This interim final rule targets equipment, such as flow cytometers and mass spectrometers, used in advanced biotechnology, which could pose national security risks if misused. These regulations come into effect on January 16, 2025, and they also invite the public to comment on the new measures by March 17, 2025. The rule aims to prevent these technologies from being used in ways that could threaten U.S. security while still allowing for their beneficial use in fields like health and environmental science.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is investigating how importing copper affects national security. This investigation, initiated under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, covers all forms of copper, including raw copper, alloys, and scrap. The public is invited to submit comments, data, and other relevant information by April 1, 2025. The department is particularly interested in insights on the copper demand for defense and infrastructure, domestic production capabilities, and the influence of foreign suppliers and trade practices.