1 minEconomic Concept
Economic Concept

Sanctions

What is Sanctions?

Coercive measures taken by one or more states against another state, group, or individual, typically to compel a change in behavior or policy. Sanctions can be economic, diplomatic, or military.

Historical Background

Sanctions have been used throughout history, but their use increased significantly in the 20th and 21st centuries. The League of Nations used sanctions against Italy in the 1930s. The UN Security Council has imposed sanctions on numerous countries.

Key Points

9 points
  • 1.

    Economic sanctions include trade embargoes, asset freezes, and financial restrictions.

  • 2.

    Diplomatic sanctions include the expulsion of diplomats and the suspension of diplomatic relations.

  • 3.

    Military sanctions include arms embargoes and military interventions.

  • 4.

    Targeted sanctions focus on specific individuals or entities.

  • 5.

    Comprehensive sanctions affect the entire economy of a country.

  • 6.

    Sanctions are often imposed by the UN Security Council, individual states, or groups of states.

  • 7.

    Effectiveness of sanctions is often debated.

  • 8.

    Sanctions can have unintended consequences, such as harming civilian populations.

  • 9.

    Secondary sanctions target entities that do business with the sanctioned country.

Visual Insights

Understanding Sanctions

Key aspects and types of sanctions for UPSC preparation.

Sanctions

  • Types of Sanctions
  • Imposing Authorities
  • Objectives
  • Challenges

Recent Developments

5 developments

Sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

Sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.

Sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs.

Use of sanctions as a tool of foreign policy by the United States.

Debate over the effectiveness and humanitarian impact of sanctions.

This Concept in News

5 topics

Russia-Ukraine War: Economic Impact on Essential Food Prices

25 Feb 2026

The news about the Russia-Ukraine war and its economic consequences underscores the complex and often contradictory nature of sanctions. (1) It demonstrates how sanctions, intended to pressure a government, can also impact the civilian population, leading to inflation and reduced access to essential goods. (2) The news challenges the assumption that sanctions are always effective in achieving their intended goals, as Russia's economy, while impacted, has not collapsed, and the war continues. (3) It reveals the limitations of sanctions as a tool of foreign policy, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach that combines economic pressure with diplomatic engagement and humanitarian assistance. (4) The implications of this news for the future of sanctions include a greater focus on targeted measures, humanitarian exemptions, and international cooperation to ensure compliance and minimize unintended consequences. (5) Understanding the concept of sanctions is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news because it provides a framework for evaluating the effectiveness, ethical implications, and long-term consequences of using economic pressure as a tool of statecraft.

Analyzing the Applicability of the Venezuela Strategy in Iran

14 Feb 2026

This news underscores the importance of understanding that sanctions are not a one-size-fits-all solution. (1) It highlights the aspect of sanctions that their effectiveness is highly dependent on the specific political and economic context of the targeted country. (2) The news challenges the assumption that a strategy successful in one country (Venezuela) can be replicated in another (Iran) without considering their unique characteristics. (3) It reveals that Iran's diversified economy and regional influence make it more resilient to sanctions compared to Venezuela. (4) The implications are that a more nuanced and diplomatic approach may be necessary when dealing with Iran. (5) Understanding the concept of sanctions, including their limitations and potential unintended consequences, is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news. It allows for a more informed assessment of the potential success or failure of different foreign policy strategies.

Iran's Foreign Minister navigates US tensions amid internal, economic struggles

8 Feb 2026

This news highlights the practical application and limitations of sanctions. (1) It demonstrates how sanctions are used as a tool to pressure a country to change its behavior. (2) The news also shows how sanctions can have unintended consequences, such as economic hardship and internal unrest, which can complicate the situation. (3) The news reveals the challenges of enforcing sanctions and the efforts of targeted countries to circumvent them. (4) The future of sanctions on Iran depends on the outcome of diplomatic efforts and the willingness of both sides to compromise. (5) Understanding the concept of sanctions is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides context for the political and economic dynamics at play. Without this understanding, it is difficult to grasp the complexities of the situation and the challenges faced by Iran's Foreign Minister.

Iran and US hold indirect nuclear talks in Oman

7 Feb 2026

This news highlights the use of sanctions as a tool of coercive diplomacy. The US is using sanctions to pressure Iran to change its behavior regarding its nuclear program and other activities. This news event demonstrates how sanctions can be both a cause of conflict and a potential pathway to resolution. The sanctions have created economic hardship in Iran, which may be pushing it to negotiate. However, the sanctions also create resentment and distrust, making negotiations more difficult. The news reveals the limitations of sanctions as a standalone tool. While sanctions can create pressure, they are unlikely to achieve their goals without accompanying diplomatic efforts. Understanding the concept of sanctions is crucial for analyzing this news because it helps us understand the motivations of the actors involved, the potential outcomes of the negotiations, and the broader implications for international relations. Without understanding sanctions, it's impossible to fully grasp the complexities of the Iran-US relationship and the ongoing efforts to address the Iranian nuclear issue. The news also underscores the debate about the effectiveness and ethical implications of sanctions, particularly their impact on the Iranian population.

India completes $120M Chabahar port commitment before sanctions waiver expires.

7 Feb 2026

This news highlights the complex interplay between sanctions, international relations, and economic development. (1) It demonstrates how sanctions can create both opportunities and challenges for countries like India, which seek to balance their economic interests with geopolitical considerations. (2) The Chabahar port project was designed to bypass Pakistan and provide India with access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. However, the threat of US sanctions has complicated this project. (3) The news reveals the limitations of sanctions waivers, as they are often temporary and subject to political changes. (4) The future of the Chabahar port project depends on the willingness of the US to continue granting waivers and the ability of India and Iran to navigate the complex sanctions landscape. (5) Understanding the concept of sanctions is crucial for analyzing this news because it helps to explain the motivations behind the US policy, the challenges faced by India and Iran, and the potential implications for regional connectivity and trade.

Source Topic

Russia-Ukraine War: Economic Impact on Essential Food Prices

International Relations

UPSC Relevance

Important for UPSC GS Paper 2 (International Relations). Questions are frequently asked on the use of sanctions in international relations, their effectiveness, and their impact on targeted countries.

Understanding Sanctions

Key aspects and types of sanctions for UPSC preparation.

Sanctions

Economic (Trade Restrictions)

Financial (Asset Freezes)

UN Security Council (Article 41)

Unilateral Sanctions (e.g., US)

Compel Policy Change

Humanitarian Impact

Connections
SanctionsTypes Of Sanctions
SanctionsImposing Authorities
SanctionsObjectives
SanctionsChallenges

This Concept in News

5 news topics

5

Russia-Ukraine War: Economic Impact on Essential Food Prices

25 February 2026

The news about the Russia-Ukraine war and its economic consequences underscores the complex and often contradictory nature of sanctions. (1) It demonstrates how sanctions, intended to pressure a government, can also impact the civilian population, leading to inflation and reduced access to essential goods. (2) The news challenges the assumption that sanctions are always effective in achieving their intended goals, as Russia's economy, while impacted, has not collapsed, and the war continues. (3) It reveals the limitations of sanctions as a tool of foreign policy, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach that combines economic pressure with diplomatic engagement and humanitarian assistance. (4) The implications of this news for the future of sanctions include a greater focus on targeted measures, humanitarian exemptions, and international cooperation to ensure compliance and minimize unintended consequences. (5) Understanding the concept of sanctions is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news because it provides a framework for evaluating the effectiveness, ethical implications, and long-term consequences of using economic pressure as a tool of statecraft.

Analyzing the Applicability of the Venezuela Strategy in Iran

14 February 2026

This news underscores the importance of understanding that sanctions are not a one-size-fits-all solution. (1) It highlights the aspect of sanctions that their effectiveness is highly dependent on the specific political and economic context of the targeted country. (2) The news challenges the assumption that a strategy successful in one country (Venezuela) can be replicated in another (Iran) without considering their unique characteristics. (3) It reveals that Iran's diversified economy and regional influence make it more resilient to sanctions compared to Venezuela. (4) The implications are that a more nuanced and diplomatic approach may be necessary when dealing with Iran. (5) Understanding the concept of sanctions, including their limitations and potential unintended consequences, is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news. It allows for a more informed assessment of the potential success or failure of different foreign policy strategies.

Iran's Foreign Minister navigates US tensions amid internal, economic struggles

8 February 2026

This news highlights the practical application and limitations of sanctions. (1) It demonstrates how sanctions are used as a tool to pressure a country to change its behavior. (2) The news also shows how sanctions can have unintended consequences, such as economic hardship and internal unrest, which can complicate the situation. (3) The news reveals the challenges of enforcing sanctions and the efforts of targeted countries to circumvent them. (4) The future of sanctions on Iran depends on the outcome of diplomatic efforts and the willingness of both sides to compromise. (5) Understanding the concept of sanctions is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides context for the political and economic dynamics at play. Without this understanding, it is difficult to grasp the complexities of the situation and the challenges faced by Iran's Foreign Minister.

Iran and US hold indirect nuclear talks in Oman

7 February 2026

This news highlights the use of sanctions as a tool of coercive diplomacy. The US is using sanctions to pressure Iran to change its behavior regarding its nuclear program and other activities. This news event demonstrates how sanctions can be both a cause of conflict and a potential pathway to resolution. The sanctions have created economic hardship in Iran, which may be pushing it to negotiate. However, the sanctions also create resentment and distrust, making negotiations more difficult. The news reveals the limitations of sanctions as a standalone tool. While sanctions can create pressure, they are unlikely to achieve their goals without accompanying diplomatic efforts. Understanding the concept of sanctions is crucial for analyzing this news because it helps us understand the motivations of the actors involved, the potential outcomes of the negotiations, and the broader implications for international relations. Without understanding sanctions, it's impossible to fully grasp the complexities of the Iran-US relationship and the ongoing efforts to address the Iranian nuclear issue. The news also underscores the debate about the effectiveness and ethical implications of sanctions, particularly their impact on the Iranian population.

India completes $120M Chabahar port commitment before sanctions waiver expires.

7 February 2026

This news highlights the complex interplay between sanctions, international relations, and economic development. (1) It demonstrates how sanctions can create both opportunities and challenges for countries like India, which seek to balance their economic interests with geopolitical considerations. (2) The Chabahar port project was designed to bypass Pakistan and provide India with access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. However, the threat of US sanctions has complicated this project. (3) The news reveals the limitations of sanctions waivers, as they are often temporary and subject to political changes. (4) The future of the Chabahar port project depends on the willingness of the US to continue granting waivers and the ability of India and Iran to navigate the complex sanctions landscape. (5) Understanding the concept of sanctions is crucial for analyzing this news because it helps to explain the motivations behind the US policy, the challenges faced by India and Iran, and the potential implications for regional connectivity and trade.