Post Reports
Why is the U.S. obsessed with sanctions?
Aug 19, 2024
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.
33:46
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Quick takeaways
- 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.
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