The Widespread Use of Economic Sanctions

Economic sanctions have become a prominent tool for the United States in managing foreign relations, often employed across a multitude of countries including Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela. Sanctions essentially act as a means of isolating specific individuals, entities, or nations from the global economic system, effectively blacklisting them from international trade and financial transactions. They are perceived as a less costly alternative to military intervention, allowing the U.S. to exert pressure without the need for troop deployment. However, the collateral impact of these sanctions is often severe, leading to widespread suffering among civilian populations that can exceed the effects of direct military conflict.