In various instances, countries, regional organizations, and the United Nations have resorted to the use of sanctions as a foreign policy and as a tool for geopolitics, in order to influence the behavior of targeted states. Numerous researches and analyses have been conducted to observe and understand the effectiveness and impact of sanctions, and subsequently dismissed them as either effective, ineffective, or counterproductive to their intended objectives.
This study seeks to address the aforementioned question; in particular, whether sanctions remain to be an option as a geopolitical tool to influence the behavior of targeted states. The core of this work consists of three case studies: first, sanctions on the Russian Federation (2014-present); sanctions on Iran (1979 -present, 2006, 2012 -2016); and the US trade embargo on Cuba (1960 -present). These case studies have been analyzed from the structural point of view to understand their specifics, background, and plausible retaliation by the respective state. Then, the technical results achieved by the sanctions are reviewed, and their weaknesses are highlighted. Lastly, numerous relevant arguments are provided to reinforce the conclusion.
Archit Pandey is a Finance and Accounting graduate from Kozminski University (Poland) and has previously studied abroad at University of Mannheim (Germany). His interests include languages, geopolitics, and calligraphy.
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Chapter Case study: Islamic Republic of Iran:
Understanding impact of sanctions led by the United States, European Union, and United Nations on Islamic Republic of Iran (1979 - present; 2012 - Jan'16; 2006 - Jan'16).
Background:
To understand sanctions on Iran and their arguable legitimacy, one must understand the events that led to the first sanctions taking place.
Iran's history is marred by numerous events with their roots and reasons dating back to centuries. For the sake of understanding Iranian history and events surrounding 1979 revolution in particular, Iranian Constitutional Crisis of 1905-07 could be deemed as the beginning point. Traditionally, Iran had a system of monarchy with Shah (King) being the supreme leader. Iranian Constitutional Crisis paved the way for Pahlavi dynasty that replaced earlier monarchy (Qajar). After a brief hiatus, Pahlavi dynasty ruled Iran from 1925 onward, with Reza Shah as the head of monarchy who implemented numerous social reforms in an attempt to transform the country toward a Constitutional monarchy - he attempted to replace Islamic laws with Western ones, forbade separation of sexes, brought about more equality for women and banned niqab.
However, a 1941 Anglo-Soviet invasion replaced him with his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Although he, like his father, also focused on a swift Westernization/Modernization of the country through so-called White Revolution, it dismayed the traditionalists and working class people. As a result of White Revolution, Iran had, at a time, more than 2200 political prisoners - a number that continued to multiply . General support by the UK, and the US made citizens resentful. Iran witnessed a coup d'état in 1953 led by the UK-US coalition, when the Prime Minister was replaced to further strengthen the hold of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and to privatize the Iranian oil under foreign-owned companies.
Religious Shia cleric, Ayatollah Khomeini, rose to the prominence during 1963 voicing public dissatisfaction against the Shah and White Revolution; he was arrested, and was exiled for 15 years out of the country. 1970s saw an Oil boom, with rising revenue came the divide between the rich and the poor, and more unrest. Disregard for traditions, increasing disparity, censorship, police brutality - all these formed as major factors for an event that changed the course of Iran's history.
Ayatollah Khomeini later on moved to France, where he gave sermons to incentivize people to protest against the government. Suddenly he found a backing of the French and the British - who had now withdrawn their support for the Shah. Eventually, Iran saw massive, radicalized protests throughout the country, and witnessed the establishment of Islamic Republic government. Secularists were swept away from the country, and Iran found itself as a radicalized, Islamic republic.
Amidst this, Iran hostage crisis took place. Angered and disgruntled group of revolutionaries captured the American Embassy in Tehran and kept its staff hostage for 444 days. (November 1979 - January 1981) Western media portrayed the events as act of vengeance, anarchy, and terrorism; Iran saw it as a blow against the United States and its interference in the domestic matters, and against its support for the autocratic Shah. This led to the first sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran.
EU-UN led sanctions: Background:
Right at the time when Khomeini came to power, Iranian revolution had just taken place, and the Iranian hostage crisis was still on, Iraq - under the leadership of Saddam Hussein - invaded Iran in September 1980.
Iraq-Iran war lasted for over 8 years, and ended in a stalemate. Already weakened by Iranian Revolution in 1979, the war significantly weakened the economy of Iran. However, it also awakened a nationalist tendency among the populace, with Iran coming out as even more united, and radicalized country than a decade back. To escalate the events further, US passively s
Über den Autor
Archit Pandey is a Finance and Accounting graduate from Kozminski University (Poland) and has previously studied abroad at University of Mannheim (Germany). His interests include languages, geopolitics, and calligraphy. He can be reached at @ArchitPandey_
Klappentext
In various instances, countries, regional organizations, and the United Nations have resorted to the use of sanctions as a foreign policy and as a tool for geopolitics, in order to influence the behavior of targeted states. Numerous researches and analyses have been conducted to observe and understand the effectiveness and impact of sanctions, and subsequently dismissed them as either effective, ineffective, or counterproductive to their intended objectives.nThis study seeks to address the aforementioned question; in particular, whether sanctions remain to be an option as a geopolitical tool to influence the behavior of targeted states. The core of this work consists of three case studies: first, sanctions on the Russian Federation (2014¿present); sanctions on Iran (1979 ¿present, 2006, 2012 ¿2016); and the US trade embargo on Cuba (1960 ¿present). These case studies have been analyzed from the structural point of view to understand their specifics, background, and plausible retaliation by the respective state. Then, the technical results achieved by the sanctions are reviewed, and their weaknesses are highlighted. Lastly, numerous relevant arguments are provided to reinforce the conclusion.
