Lessons we should have learned from the Iraqi sanctions

Lessons we should have learned from the Iraqi sanctions

mideast.foreignpolicy.com

Posted By Joy Gordon Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 2:59 PM

As the U.S. drives the UN Security Council to tighten sanctions on Iran and the world's attention momentarily focuses on the Gaza blockade, decision makers could benefit from hearing an untold story about the role played by the U.S. in the almost forgotten Security Council sanctions imposed on Iraq for over a decade. Coming on the heels of the massive bombing strikes of the 1991 Gulf War, the sanctions had a catastrophic humanitarian impa

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It almost sounds as though history is repeating itself...again. I had forgotten how long that Iraq was under sanctions, but according to this article it was around 10 years, and the only ones who suffered were the Iraqi people. The irony is that those sanctions were supposed to isolate the Hussein regime, but it actually drew the people into even more government control since what food and goods were available were rationed by the government.

We have all been witnessing the way the US has been handling the sanctions against Iran, which after the initial UN sanctions, the US initiated their own. This same tactic was apparently used on Iraq, with the US leading the way over the objections of the majority of the UN security council. We have been seeing objections being raised recently by Russia and China to the unilateral US sanctions after they agreed to UN sanctions.

This is a very interesting article in how the US not only sought to stop production of the alleged WMD's, but even went after Iraq's education system and even certain foods such as eggs, since they could provide the capability of producing chemical and biological weapons. Those are but 2 examples mentioned.

I can't help but wonder how far the US is prepared to pursue Iran. It would not surprise me if those same tactics used on Iraq, will continue with Iran, and at least in my opinion, Iran will likely be pursued at least to the same extent as Iraq.

What have we learned over the years with the use of sanctions? They seldom achieve the desired end, unless that end is to punish the people of a nation, as the governments themselves are more able to ride out sanctions.

mideast.foreignpolicy.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

sactions hurt citizens not governments. America and the U.N are trying to start a revolt within iran. it looks better and is easier to spin then an invasion. plus its cheaper and highly profitible, we've beenusing this tactic for years

reply to post by Wayne60


think of all the people that profited from the Iraq sanctions?
didnt couple of people make millions of pounds from supplying things to saddam under faulse pretenses, and then you have the bribes that were also paid for people to keep their mouths shut or to open doors,

sanctions hurt the civilians but played right make some peoples wallets much larger,

Great article. Thanks. And yes, history is repeating itself. Big time. That Iraq held on for 10 years is a testament in and of itself to the country's strength and resolve in resisting colonization. Iran has more going for it in a lot of ways, but it also holds some aces up its sleeve. The sanctions are a declaration of war. People can perfume the pig in anyway that makes them feel better about this, but this is a fact.

Iran has actually been in the cross hairs for far longer, but have in many ways been able to avoid Iraq and Afghanistan's fates, due in large part to their crazy president, who seems to do whatever crazy thing he needs to do to focus world attention on their plight. However, I do believe time is running out for them on this cycle.

An identical war drum beating cycle took place in 2007, but this time there are a few new twists from some new players and some shifting alliances. In addition, I think and I hope people are finally wising up to what this is really all about. And it ain't nukes. Not directly anyway.

P.S. To get an idea of what this might really be more about, check out this site. Iran - Council on Foreign Relations and this 2005 essay Iran: Next Target of US Military Aggression



[edit on 7/8/2010 by ~Lucidity]

Absolutely, the only one's who make out over sanctions are other governments and corporations who can still make their sales through back door arrangements. The people are the ones who suffer.

The US has been after Iran ever since the Iranian revolution in 1979 when the US/CIA puppet the Shah was ousted. I think they cared more about that than they did the hostages. Although I know many of us who were at gonzo station in 1980 when they were released were happy about it. Gonzo station is where our carrier group was stationed off the coast of Iran during that time.

TPTB need to keep in mind that Iran is not Iraq or Afghanistan. They have a much stronger infrastructure in education, materials, and resources available to them. Not to mention a vast population that much of it can take up arms at anytime. Case in point the Iran-Iraq war.