The current sanctions on Iran are definitely taking an impact on that country's economy.
Their currency has devalued 40% in the past week alone.
I'd like to invite you to discuss the topic of sanctions (in general -not only in Iran).
Some things to consider - (but you can consider far more than this brief list):
What are sanctions? In what ways can they be effective / ineffective?
For what reasons have countries had sanctions imposed upon them? Do you feel they were justified in those cases?
Who has imposed sanctions against Iran? How are they achieved?(i.e. what is the method?)
Now it has escalated to people vs. the police
ReplyDeleteI hope people are following these things in the middle east. It is easy to be lulled into the comfort of our regular lives until they are suddenly affected by external forces. Keep in mind the middle east hosts the largest oil reserves in the world.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iran-economy-protests-20121004,0,6484678.story
Iran has the sanctions imposed on them because of their nuclear program. The majority of the other nations are opposed to Iran’s nuclear advances because of the possibility that it could be used for war. Not only is the US imposing sanction against Iran; Canada and many other countries within NATO and the EU are too. (1)
ReplyDeleteThey’re putting a lot of pressure on Iran to stop their attempts at nuclear advancements. Although the efforts of the nations are affecting the economy in Iran, it isn’t only putting pressure on the government but also the people as they try to deal with the failing economy. With the unrest that’s already high in the Middle East, putting such economic pressure on the people of Iran may cause further problems.
(1)http://www.international.gc.ca/sanctions/iran.aspx?view=d
I agree with Megan, Iran's nuclear program that the government claims is just for nuclear energy is destroying Iran's credibility as a country. These economic sanctions are just putting pressure on the country to cease it's negative actions. I hope that Iran can see the error of their ways and stop trying to fight the world and make peace with it. It will be better for Iran and all of the middle east, and the world.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is my weekly post:
ReplyDeleteSanctions is a tool used by countries and international organizations, such as the UN, to persuade a certain government to change a policy they have in place, or an action they are committing. They do this by restricting trade, investments, medicine and food. Sanctions are normally put on countries that are exploring nuclear weapons, or violating human rights. Some countries that have had sanctions put on them include Cuba, South Korea, and Iraq (4). In Iran, the sanctions put on them currently are due to their nuclear weapons programs, as was stated above. Part of me agrees that sanctions should be put on Iran, because they do need to realize that they need to stop trying to create nuclear weapons. They need to realize that this is no okay to do. Sadly they are choosing to ignore the rules set in place by the UN, which is forcing other countries to raise the stakes. I feel like this is the only other way that countries across the world can get through to the government of Iran. On the other hand, I am a little torn, because people are greatly suffering from these sanctions. For example, people with serious illnesses like cancer are not receiving their medications, as they are all stopped or delayed now (2). People are becoming extremely sick and even dying, because these medications that they need are not available. A young man died at the end of September, because the needle he needed to stop a blood clot was not available (2).
Other impacts the sanctions are having on Iran, include rising prices on items such as sugar, bread, meat and milk (1&3). Aside from rising prices, food is also starting to become more scare, such as chickens, and because of this riots are popping up more often in the streets(1). Many of innocent people are suffering, and because of that fact I am torn on this issue. I believe it is not fair for so many innocent people to suffer, but I also feel it is not fair for Iran to have nuclear weapons. One thing I 100% do not agree with though, is the fact the countries in the EU are calling for more strict sanctions to be put in place. Germany, Britain and France have already put sanctions on, but feel they need to be tightened more (5). I do not agree with this, because the people are Iran are already greatly suffering and becoming angry with their government. The sanctions are starting to work, because the people are starting to rise up and fight this (3).
In the end, I do believe that issues like this one are extremely complicated and have no easy answer. Either you allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons and risk nuclear war, or you allow thousands of innocent people to be endangered by making food and medication scarce. There is no morally right thing to do in a situation like this, and there will always be a loser when it comes to problems like this one.
1 http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-10-08/how-the-u-dot-s-dot-is-hurting-innocent-people-in-iran
(2)
http://news.antiwar.com/2012/09/04/us-led-iran-sanctions-blocking-medical-treatment-to-thousands-of-infirm/
(3) http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/09/iran-sanctions-israeli-report.html
(4) http://usforeignpolicy.about.com/od/introtoforeignpolicy/a/what-are-sanctions.htm
(5)
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/160241#.UHSz_K7hfZ4
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ReplyDeleteThis is my post for the week...
ReplyDeleteA sanction is a ban that is imposed on people or a threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule. They can be effective because they can cripple a country's economy, aka the backbone of their existence and they can be ineffective if they're not put into a solitary sanction embargo. The US imposed sanctions on Iran in hopes of maintaining their nuclear superiority, but the White House warned that the additional measures could prove counter productive(1). The NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) instituted sanctions against foreign companies or individuals engaged in trade with Iran in several sectors that allegedly support Tehran’s nuclear arm programs (including energy, ports, shipping, and shipbuilding) which could crush them as the shipping industry is what they depend on. I think it's ridiculous that the US thinks they can literally bully Iran to remain behind in the nuclear weapon armament. the Us has strategically planned themselves to remain the nuclear powerhouse of the planet. #pax-americana
(1): http://www.globalresearch.ca/us-senate-passes-new-sanctions-on-iran/5313822