Post Reports cover image

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

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

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.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode