Economic sanctions are foreign policy tools used by nations or international bodies to influence target countries' behavior. These coercive measures often...
Economic sanctions are punitive measures imposed by one or more countries against another country, individuals, or entities, primarily to achieve foreign policy or national security objectives.
Types include trade embargoes, asset freezes, travel bans, restrictions on financial transactions, and limitations on specific sectors like energy or technology.
Countries impose sanctions to deter specific behaviors such as nuclear proliferation, terrorism financing, human rights abuses, or to pressure a regime change, often as an alternative to military action.
The effectiveness of sanctions is debated. While they can alter target behavior, they often have unintended consequences, including humanitarian impacts and the potential to strengthen targeted regimes.
Major players include the United Nations Security Council, the United States, the European Union, and other individual nations or regional blocs.