The Problem of "Smart Sanctions" Against Iraq

Secretary Powell’s call for “smart sanctions” against Iraq is long overdue, and can help to correct a critical weakness in the Clinton Administration's foreign policy. It was clear by the mid-1990s that broad economic sanctions were not going to bring down Saddam Hussein, halt Iraqi efforts to proliferate, or cripple the ability of Iraq’s military and security forces to repress the Kurds, put down Iraq’s Shi’ite opposition, and threat Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. It was equally clear that they continued to impoverish the ordinary Iraqi, and block Iraq’s economic development.
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Anthony H. Cordesman

Anthony H. Cordesman

Former Emeritus Chair in Strategy