Brad Smith Appointed Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence

Brad Smith, a U.S. Treasury Department veteran, has been appointed as the acting under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence. He will oversee U.S. sanctions policies, focusing on Russia and Iran, among others. His appointment follows the departure of Brian Nelson, who is joining Kamala Harris's presidential campaign.

Brad Smith, a veteran U.S. Treasury Department employee, has been appointed as the acting under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, according to a spokesperson from the department. Smith will now oversee the sanctions policy, an important foreign policy tool for Washington.

Smith's appointment is crucial as the U.S. looks to intensify pressure on Russia over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine and maintain stringent sanctions on countries like Iran. Reuters was the first to report on Smith assuming the role.

Smith takes over in an acting capacity after Brian Nelson's departure on Friday. Nelson left to work on Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential campaign. Smith is tasked with degrading Russia's war capabilities in Ukraine, cutting off financing to Iran, combating the illicit flow of fentanyl into the U.S., and implementing regulatory efforts.

Appointed in 2023 as the director of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, Smith has previously served as the deputy director and chief counsel. Under President Joe Biden, Smith has been instrumental in imposing sanctions targeting Russia, including on banks, oligarchs, and companies internationally.

The Biden administration has also ramped up counter-narcotics measures and modernized sanctions tools. During Donald Trump's presidency, the office issued extensive measures against countries like Iran and Venezuela.

(With inputs from agencies.)