Jeff Stein, a White House economics reporter, and Elahe Izade, a journalist focusing on U.S. diplomacy, dive into America’s heavy reliance on sanctions as a foreign policy tool. They discuss the historical roots of these economic penalties and their impact on countries like Venezuela and North Korea. The conversation addresses the effectiveness and moral implications of sanctions, especially amid global crises. Elahe also shares insights from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, highlighting the tension between political actions and public dissent.
The U.S. has increasingly relied on sanctions as a primary diplomatic strategy since the 1960s, impacting many countries and reflecting its global superpower status.
While sanctions are intended to penalize hostile regimes, they often cause significant suffering for civilians, raising questions about their effectiveness and humanitarian impact.
Deep dives
The Extent of US Sanctions
The United States has imposed a wide range of sanctions on numerous countries, with a list that includes Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, and Syria, among others. The dramatic increase in the application of sanctions has become evident, reflecting a strategic shift in foreign policy. This significant rise in sanctions is partly attributed to the United States positioning itself as a global superpower after the fall of the Soviet Union, allowing it to exert economic pressure more effectively. Currently, about one-third of all countries are facing some form of US sanction, highlighting the expanded use of this tool in foreign relations.
The Nature and History of Sanctions
Sanctions are defined as measures taken by the U.S. government against foreign entities deemed threats to national security or foreign policy, prohibiting any business interactions with those sanctioned. The historical roots of U.S. sanctions trace back to early American history, with significant examples including the embargo against Cuba during the 1960s and early reactions to the North Korean conflict in the 1950s. Over the decades, these sanctions have evolved into a more robust and frequently utilized strategy in response to international conflicts. This evolution marks a noteworthy shift towards economic measures as an alternative to military action in U.S. foreign policy.
Effectiveness and Criticism of Sanctions
Supporters of economic sanctions often cite past successes, such as their role in dismantling apartheid in South Africa and pressuring dictators like Slobodan Milosevic. However, critics argue that many sanctions fail to achieve their intended goals, citing longstanding sanctions on Cuba, North Korea, and Iran as examples of policies that have not influenced regime change. The sanctions applied to Venezuela, particularly under the Trump administration, illustrate the complex implications of coercive measures, as they have led to economic collapse and human suffering without achieving political reform. This ongoing debate highlights the dual nature of sanctions: while intended to punish authoritarian regimes, they often result in widespread hardship for the civilian populations of these targeted countries.
Challenges and Future of Sanctions
The Biden administration has acknowledged the unintended humanitarian consequences of sanctions and recognized the need for a more measured approach to their implementation. Even with efforts to promote exceptions for humanitarian aid, logistical challenges frequently hinder the delivery of essential goods due to banking fears of violating sanctions. This situation underscores the inherent difficulties in balancing political objectives with the well-being of civilians, as harsh economic measures can inadvertently strengthen the regimes they aim to destabilize. Moving forward, advocates propose refining sanctions to target specific individuals rather than entire economies, calling for a more nuanced understanding of the consequences of these powerful economic tools.
Today, Elahe Izadi speaks with White House economics reporter Jeff Stein about how the United States fell in love with sanctions, about whether the country’s current strategy is sustainable and about whether sanctions truly work as a diplomatic tool.
Plus, Elahe reports from Chicago on the opening scenes of the Democratic National Convention.
Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy and Ariel Plotnick, with help from Trinity Webster-Bass. The show was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Reena Flores, with help from Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Mike Madden.