About Quote by Mohamed ElBaradei
“People talk about smart sanctions and crippling sanctions. I've never seen smart sanctions, and crippling sanctions cripple everyone, including innocent civilians, and make the government more popular.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: UN General Assembly, 2005
Sanctions often harm ordinary people more than regimes, reducing their effectiveness and boosting support for those regimes.
In simple terms: Sanctions hurt civilians and can strengthen governments.
Key Takeaway
Consider humanitarian impacts before imposing sanctions.
Themes
human rights
politics
economics
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- humanitarian aid
- international negotiations
- civil society advocacy
Key Concepts
coercive diplomacy
unintended consequences
Questions to Reflect On
- How can sanctions be designed to minimize civilian suffering?
- What alternatives exist to achieve political goals without broad economic harm?
A Different Perspective
Sanctions may be necessary when targeted precisely and paired with diplomatic efforts.
