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...in fact, the war against Iraq is continuing. And it's continuing now by the means which the administration described as contemptible and useless, when they were put forth as an alternative to an actual all-out aerial bombardment. Namely, economic sanctions, which do have the effect of slowly starving and crippling the population of Iraq, while leaving the military cast of Saddam Hussein and his criminal Baath Party in charge. I was asked the other day ... why do you think the administration decided to spare Saddam Hussein ... and I said I think because they thought they might need him again...

Christopher Hitchens#2

WarEthicsPolicy

About this quote

What does it mean?
The quote claims economic sanctions continue the war by starving civilians while protecting the military leadership.
In plain terms
Sanctions hurt civilians but spare the leaders, so the war continues.
What can you take from it?
Economic sanctions can act as a hidden form of warfare.

Where it applies

  • foreign policy
  • economic policy
  • human rights

Putting it to work

  • analyze policy impacts
  • evaluate alternatives
  • assess human cost

Questions to consider

  • Are sanctions moral?
  • How do we assess policy harm?

Another view

It assumes intent rather than unintended consequences.

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