U.S. Targets Syrian Defense Industry

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The United States has imposed sanctions on financiers
of Syria's defense industry.
The administration of President Barack Obama has imposed the first
penalties on banks that facilitate Syria's ballistic missile and weapons of
mass destruction programs. The sanctions, the third set imposed by
Washington since May 2011, targeted financial support for a leading Syrian
missile research facility, the Scientific Studies and Research Center, and
cooperation with North Korea.