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UN Sanctions on Iraq: A Complex History

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) imposed severe economic sanctions on Iraq in 1990, which were intended to prevent the country from developing nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons. The sanctions had a significant impact on Iraq’s economy and people, but their effectiveness and morality have been debated for decades.

Key Points About the Sanctions

  • Terrorism Connection: In 1998, al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden cited the sanctions against Iraq as a justification for attacks against Americans.
  • Humanitarian Concerns: US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright acknowledged in 2001 that comprehensive sanctions often hurt the people of the country and don’t really accomplish what is wanted to change the behavior of the sanctioned country.
  • Shift to Targeted Sanctions: The UNSC had largely abandoned comprehensive sanctions in favor of targeted sanctions since the mid-1990s.

Partial Lift of Sanctions

The sanctions were lifted in December 2010 and partially lifted again in June 2013. However, the country still faces significant economic challenges.

Recent Developments

  • Iraq’s Debt to Kuwait: In December 2021, Iraq’s central bank announced that it had paid off its entire debt of $52 billion in war reparations to Kuwait.
  • Ongoing Conflicts and Sanctions: The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002, the Iraqi no-fly zones conflict, and ongoing conflicts in Iran, Syria, and China continue to shape international relations.

International Relations and Sanctions

The text also mentions several other topics related to sanctions and international relations:

  • US Embargo against Cuba: The US has maintained a strict embargo on Cuba for decades.
  • US Sanctions against China: The US has imposed various sanctions on China over human rights concerns, trade practices, and other issues.

References

The text references several sources, including UN Security Council resolutions, news articles, and academic papers.