The Trump administration is imposing sanctions on a French chemical weapons expert accused of making and using such munitions for the Islamic State group in Syria. The State Department on Thursday identified Joe Asperman as a "specially designated global terrorist." The designation applies to foreigners who have committed or pose a risk of committing terrorist acts that threaten U.S. national interests. The statement says the move aims to deny Asperman the resources he needs to plan and carry out further terrorist attacks. It says Asperman is a senior chemical weapons expert who oversaw IS chemical operations production in Syria and deployed them at the battlefront.

Source: ABC News March 22, 2018 14:24 UTC