Lesson 3

SANCTIONS: A CASE STUDY

Goals

Economic sanctions can profoundly affect the daily lives of people under targeted regimes. The objective of this lesson is to explore the unintended consequences of sanctions using  Iraq as a case study .

Instructions

Students will divide into five groups, each presenting one of the following perspectives:

  • UN Sanctions Committee Members
  • Iraqi Government Officials
  • Humanitarian Aid Organizations
  • Iraqi Citizens Impacted by Sanctions
  • U.S. Foreign Policy Analysts

Assignment

Groups should research their assigned perspectives using the  approved article , focusing on the impact of sanctions on daily life, economic goals, humanitarian crises, and long-term effects on infrastructure.

Class Debate

Each group will present their views in a moderated debate, addressing the following questions:

  1. How did sanctions affect Iraq in your role’s context?
  2. Were the intended goals met from your perspective?
  3. What could have been done differently?

REFLECTION: After the debate, students should discuss how their representation affected their understanding of the complexities and unintended consequences of sanctions.