Ecoomic sanctions are increasingly used as tools of geopolitical leverage.
Sanctions have emerged as the dominant instrument of power in a world where direct military confrontation carries unacceptable political and economic risks. Once framed as tools of last resort, sanctions are now deployed routinely to discipline states, signal intent, and reshape global alignments.
The moral language surrounding sanctions often masks their real function. While framed as necessary responses to violations of international norms, sanctions frequently reflect strategic calculations rooted in economic dominance, financial control, and geopolitical rivalry.
From Warfare to Financial Coercion
The evolution from conventional warfare to financial coercion represents a structural shift in how power is exercised. Control over currency systems, payment networks, and trade flows has enabled states to inflict significant harm without deploying troops.
This transformation has raised serious questions about accountability, humanitarian impact, and the legitimacy of economic punishment imposed outside multilateral frameworks.