Sanctions as Warfare

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Daniel M Pourkesali
by Daniel M Pourkesali
18-Jul-2008
 

The dictionary defines ‘sanctions’ as “restrictions upon trade and financial dealings that a country imposes upon another for political reasons”-- A practice that in recent years has become a prime instrument of global dominance by a handful of major powers particularly the United States.

 

With permanent membership status in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), world’s most powerful countries have passed numerous resolutions imposing sanctions on more than a dozen nations, including the former Yugoslavia, Cuba, Libya, Somalia, Liberia, Haiti, Iraq, and Iran since the end of cold war.

When faced with threat of a veto or inability to gain majority consent within the Council, the United States has elected to act unilaterally more than any other nation or multinational body in the world. Over two-thirds of all sanctions since 1945 [1] have been initiated by the U.S., three-quarters of which have involved unilateral action without significant participation by any other nation in the world. They are often discussed and portrayed by American politicians and many members of U.S. Congress as a form of diplomacy and an alternative to war as though they're not an act of aggression with actual human costs.

But countries on the receiving end of such acts along with the rest of the international community increasingly view sanctions as illegitimate and punitive because of the human suffering they tend to create and the widespread doubts about their effectiveness and legality under international and humanitarian laws. Restrictions on trade and financial dealings cause shutdown of factories, farms, and mines that weaken the business and professional classes of the society diminishing the power and effectiveness of those who would otherwise form the bulk of the opposition to any totalitarian regime.

It is a well-documented fact [2] that between five hundred thousand and a million children under the age of five died as a direct result of U.S. and UNSC imposed sanctions on the so-called "dual use" materials and equipments related to nutrition, health and education in the 12 years prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

But despite shocking proof that the primary victims of economic sanctions -- the children, the elderly, the sick, and the poor being least responsible for effecting change in government policy, its advocates continue to legitimize them as an instrument of peace and a justified means of exerting diplomatic pressure.

Sanctions are nothing short economic warfare that infringe on the most basic human rights and the very rule of universally accepted laws and must be abandoned as the last sanctuary of futility in foreign policy.

 

[1] //www.un.org/Docs/sc/unsc_resolutions.html

[2] //www.fourthfreedom.org/Applications/cms.php?page_id=7

 

Daniel M Pourkesali is an Engineer with an Aerospace company in Northern Virginia specializing in development and manufacturing of flight dynamics, engineering and control systems. He is a columnist and board member of the Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII). He is also a supporting member of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), Persian Gulf Organization, and Iranians for International Cooperation.

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Mr. Q: Let's See Who is Murdering Iraqi Kurds?

by Anonymous500 (not verified) on

Mr. Q:

Here is the latest news on the IRI's mudering of the Iraqi Kurds. Let us see who is "traitor"? Those who support this criminal regime in Iran, or those who want to overthrow it.

چهارمین روز توپ‌باران مناطق مختلف كردستان عراق توسط رژیم ضدبشری آخوندی
3:16:06 AM 1387/4/31
رژیم ضدبشری آخوندی مناطق مختلف كردستان عراق را برای چهارمین روز پیاپی توپباران كرد.
این توپباران كه یك ساعت و نیم ادامه داشت: نواحی سنگسر و ژاراوه را در برگرفت و خسارات زیادی به مزارع و كشتزارهای كشاورزان این مناطق وارد ساخت. تلویزیون كردستان عراق گفت: مردم این مناطق در وحشت از توپباران رژیم، محلهای خود را ترك كرده و به مناطق امن در نزدیكی سیدكان رفتند.

As to your calling the PMOI "traitor" and such jazz, no body gives a hoot to your mantra now that IRI is sinking; the IRI has been calling its opponents names that befit its own and its supporters.


programmer craig

Mehdi

by programmer craig on

Since the October War in 1973, Washington has provided Israel with a
level of support dwarfing that given to any other state. It has been
the largest annual recipient of direct economic and military assistance
since 1976

Wrong on both counts. Israel was designated an official ally of the USA in 1973. Israel began recieving the large aid package in 1978, as a result of teh Camp David accords. And you fail to mention taht Egypt recieves almost as much. (Israel is #1 and Egypt is #2 - why only mention Israel?)

Lots of bias you have going on there, mister islamofascist. (I get to call you that, since you said "ZionNazi" right?)

 


Mehdi

How ZioNazis manipulate - the real monsters

by Mehdi on

Since the October War in 1973, Washington has provided Israel with a level of support dwarfing that given to any other state. It has been the largest annual recipient of direct economic and military assistance since 1976, and is the largest recipient in total since World War Two, to the tune of well over $140 billion (in 2004 dollars). Israel receives about $3 billion in direct assistance each year, roughly one-fifth of the foreign aid budget, and worth about $500 a year for every Israeli. This largesse is especially striking since Israel is now a wealthy industrial state with a per capita income roughly equal to that of South Korea or Spain.

Other recipients get their money in quarterly installments, but Israel receives its entire appropriation at the beginning of each fiscal year and can thus earn interest on it. Most recipients of aid given for military purposes are required to spend all of it in the US, but Israel is allowed to use roughly 25 per cent of its allocation to subsidise its own defence industry. It is the only recipient that does not have to account for how the aid is spent, which makes it virtually impossible to prevent the money from being used for purposes the US opposes, such as building settlements on the West Bank. Moreover, the US has provided Israel with nearly $3 billion to develop weapons systems, and given it access to such top-drawer weaponry as Blackhawk helicopters and F-16 jets. Finally, the US gives Israel access to intelligence it denies to its Nato allies and has turned a blind eye to Israel’s acquisition of nuclear weapons.

//www.lrb.co.uk/v28/n06/mear01_.html


programmer craig

Q

by programmer craig on

How can we trust anyone who worked for Saddam Hussein?

Are you trying to claim that the IRI is better than Saddam Hussein was? That's going to be a hell of a tough sell.


Q

Dear 500, of course you say that you are a Mojahed

by Q on

you have said so yourself many times, so this is not a false accusation. Why should anyone consider you anything ther than a traitor to Iran?

Obviously your group does not care about Iranian civilians who will have to suffer under these sanctions just like Iraqis did. This is no surprize because Rajavi worshippers have already demontrated that they are willing to kill innocent Iranians and Kurds and support dicatators like Saddam Hussein.

How can we trust anyone who worked for Saddam Hussein?


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We All Have Read the Article: Here is a Response!!!

by Anonymous500 (not verified) on

To IRI Supporters:

You guys and galls are wondering about the legality of these sanctions, right? And here we have this guys Poursalak who is questioning ad nausium the legality of these santions. Here is a simple answer as to why these sanctions are being imposed against IRI:

(1) These sanctions are to force the IRI to let go of its delusional dreams of buliding a Velayat-e Faqih based Islamic Empire in the region.

(2) These sanctions are to deprive the financial might of the IRI as it is proping up terrorist groups (Hezbollah, Hamas, Jayash al-Mahadi, al-Qeda, Speah Badr, Ansar Hezbollah, etc.) in the region whose stated purpose is to promote IRI's external and expansionst policies among which is anahiliating the state of Isreal.

(3) These sanctions are to help bringing down the IRI which as the God Father of International Terrorism is now has started thretening its ex allies in Europe.

(4) These sanctions are to deprive IRI's SPPAH and its QODS especail forces whose one and only experty is to commit horrandous acts of terrorism, be it in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Turkey all the way to Europen capitals.

(5) These sanctions are to deprive the presnt gang of corrupt Ayatollahs and their cronies around the world from ability to engage in all all kind of nefarious-criminal-terrorism activities. An example of which, you ladies and gentlemen supporters of the IRI can read below:

شبكههای تروریستی رژیم ایران در عراق، زیر ضرب قرار دارد
5:51:49 AM 1387/4/30
روز جمعه 28تیر، ارتش آمریكا اعلام كرد در جریان عملیاتی كه صبح زود در شمال بغداد صورت گرفت، 5 تن از اعضای گروه های ویژه مورد حمایت رژیم ایران را دستگیر كرده است. به گزارش تلویزیون الشرقیه، در بیانیه ارتش آمریكا آمده است كه بدون هیچ گونه درگیری، یكی از مسئولین مالی گروه های ویژه را (كه وابسته به نیروی قدس سپاه پاسداران هستند) به همراه دو تن دیگر از اعضای این گروه ها، در منطقه ای واقع در 3 كیلومتری شمال غرب شهرك صدر، دستگیر كرده اند. این افراد بر اساس اطلاعات امنیتی بدست آمده از افراد گروه های ویژه كه قبلا دستگیر شده بودند، به دام افتادهاند. ارتش آمریكا اضافه كرد كه دو تن دیگر از اعضای گروه های ویژه را نیز در یك منطقه دیگر بغداد دستگیر كرده است.
روز قبل از آن، یعنی روز پنج شنبه نیز، بیانیه ارتش آمریكا مستقر در عراق، از دستگیری دو تن از فرماندهان گروه های ویژه مرتبط با رژیم ایران، كه در مناطق میانی عراق فعالیت داشته اند خبر داده بود و خاطر نشان كرده بود كه این دو تن، متهم به انفجار بسته های انفجاری ضد زره علیه نیروهای چند ملیتی و نیروهای امنیتی عراقی و عملیات آدم ربایی و ترور می باشند.
مركز اطلاع رسانی نیروهای چند ملیتی در عراق اعلام كرد كه یكی از فرماندهان اصلی هسته های تروریستی وابسته به رژیم ایران را در ناحیه اعظمیه بغداد دستگیر كرده است. وی یكی از فرماندهان آموزش دیده مواد انفجاری و وابسته به تیپهای گروه حزب الله است و كسی است كه در حملات بغداد دست داشته است. نیروهای پلیس استان واسط عراق، به موشك ها و بسته های انفجاری كه برخی از آنها ساخت رژیم ایران است، در شرق شهر كوت مركز استان واسط دست پیدا كردند. محموله كشف شده، عبارت از ده ها موشك و خمپاره و سلاح های سبك است. در حالیكه فرمانده پلیس عراق مستقر در ابوچیر از اظهار نظر در خصوص محل ساخت و منبع این سلاح ها خودداری می كرد، فرمانده یكانهای آمریكایی تاكید كرد كه منبع این سلاح ها و مهمات همسایه شرقی ایران می باشد و هدف آن ایجاد ناامنی در عراق است. با توجه به وجود گلوله های خمپاره و سلاح هایی با كالیبرهای مختلف كه سال ساخت بیشتر آنها 2008 می باشد، نیروهای امریكایی می گویند كه نقش رژیم ایران در این عملیات مشهود است. در همین رابطه انا اسکوهیما سخنگوی سفارت امریکا در عراق اعلام كرد: رژیم ایران بر خلاف وعدهها و اظهارات مقام هایش نه تنها كمكی به امنیت عراق نمی كند بلكه در ایجاد ناامنی در این كشور دست دارد.
دیف اولسن، فرمانده یكی از گردان های ارتش آمریكا نیز به تلویزیون الحره گفت: راه های زیادی برای قاچاق سلاح و مهمات به عراق از طریق مرز وجود دارد كه ما در بغداد و سایر مناطق عراق به آنها دست پیدا می كنیم. در واقع بیشتر آنها از ایران وارد عراق می شود.
رژیم آخوندی طی ماه های اخیر ضربات مهمی در جنوب عراق و بخصوص در بصره متحمل شده است. تعداد زیادی از شبهنظامیان مزدور رژیم بر اثر ضرباتی كه خوردهاند به داخل ایران گریختهاند و برخی از مهمترین عناصر را هم رژیم از زندان فراری داده است. از جمله محمد اسماعیل الوائلی برادر استاندار بصره از فرار یوسف سناوی الموسوی رئیس گروه شبهنظامی جنایتكار موسوم به ثارالله اززندان بصره خبر داد . به گفته الوائلی كه در برخی رسانههای عراق منتشر شده: خودرو هایی كه شماره پلاك دولتی داشتند اقدام به آزاد كردن موسوی كرده و انتقال وی به ایران كردند . الوائلی گفت: آنها با خود حكمی با امضای دولتی داشتند. نیروهای امنیتی عراقی دوماه پیش در جریان عملیات بصره یوسف سناوی را به دلیل رابطه اش با گروه های مسلح مرتبط با رژیم ایران و ربودن و قتل ده ها نفر و دریافت سلاح ازرژیم ایران دستگیر كرده بودند و او به حدود 380 فقره قتل و آدم ربایی و همچنین ارتباط با سران ائتلاف شیعه به ویژه با رئیس سازمان بدر هادی عامری و جلال صغیر و عمار حكیم اعتراف كرده بود و هنگام دستگیری بیش از یك ملیون دلار و سایر ارزهای خارجی به همراه داشت.


Niki

Thanks Daniel

by Niki on

thank you daniel, for another informative piece.


Mehdi

K Nassery - the expert on anything but AIPAC

by Mehdi on

Mr. Nasery and his victim pretense! He has no problem viciously attacking a decent organization with his barrage of "suspicions" and "questions" that have been answered a thousand times and are permanently posted on NIAC's site. If you are not an expert sir, first of all, stick with the subject of the article - what does the author's affiliation have to do with anything? Even if the author was an official of the IRI, you could simply make a point about what he says instead of voicing, not even some facts but "suspicions" and vicious "questions." Anyone reading your first comment, has to be very naive to not realize what you are trying to accomplish, while whining about how you have been victimized. Quit this Israeli style propaganda and say something sincere if you can.

I am still waiting for you to voice any concern about AIPAC. How about you Google Israel lobby, manipulation of the US government, etc, and see if any questions comes up in your mind.


Mehdi

ZioNazi trash changing the subject - smear campaign

by Mehdi on

The usual ZioNazi residents always ready to show up with their falsehood campaign, "suspicions" and half truths, while being very careful not to say ANYTHING about the criminal Israel lobby, AIPAC. What do you want here? What is your point? Why don't you ever say something at least vaguely related to the article? Isn't manupulating US governmeny through treachery not enough for you?You are already well known for your greed, are you trying to make a worse reputation for yourselves? Stick with the subject for once, if your "never again" brainwashing ever lets you.


Shiny Head

Good points but no .....

by Shiny Head on

This article raises a number of very good issues and can be deliberated as a major topic that is going on right now. Insead, a bunch of god knows whats are attatcking the author and each other on things that have no relevance to the issues.

May be there is deliberate attempt by some on this iranian.com forum to side-step some of the criminality that is part of US government's policies around the world and is causing death and destruction all over the world.

For the sake of humanity set aside these name callings and focus on what the article offers. If you disagree with it, then say why, and if you agree with it, then perhaps you can support it with more relevant facts. In case you have nothing to say, just stay quiet. What is this attacking authors who put precious hours researching and writing. Writings that are quite educational and helpful whether you agree with them or not. We have these great Iranians, (first or second generation) who are wonderful and thoughtful individuals. Each one is a sea of knowledge and reflects the humility that is part of our great culture and history. Lets benefit from them rather than attacking them. If you do attack authors, you are HATED by this community, wether stated in writing or not -- from now on this is the policy of Iranian.com (I hope you agree JJ).

 

thanks.


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what is it about Hooshang

by sickofcasmii (not verified) on

what is it about Hooshang Amirahmadi that mere mention of his name in any posts results in censorship??


Fred

Pedigree

by Fred on

What is the relationship between the conjoined twin CASMII and NIAC lobbies and the Islamist/Anti-Semites and their likeminded lefty allies including Islamist caporegimes and crews?  Why any non-sycophantic legitimate question posed to the conjoined twin lobbies almost instantaneously triggers a barrage of thuggish attacks by the cyberspace Islamist brownshirts?


default

Daniel pourkasali: You and

by sickofcasmii (not verified) on

Daniel pourkasali: You and your ild are out of tocuh with reality and will eventually turn Iran into a nuclear waste.

Tell your bosses to stop their misinformation campaign because it's too ridiculous and no one is buying it anymore.

If they are really interested in saving Iran and lives of Iranians first they need to relinquish their state of denial and self-deception then they need to report the real truth to Khameni et al.

1. First, they will get bombed

2. Then they will get nucked. That's the ultimate goal for the whole region. Now stop this fake nonsense about sanctions and nuclear rights...We're frankly sick of it. Open your eyes and face facts on the ground. Your lame essays are not going to stop the realties of the world.

Here is the real truth if you can handle it:

Benny Morris: Why Israel will bomb Iran


K Nassery

False...allegation towards me....

by K Nassery on

I'm not what that person stated.  I am not a criminal, nor a ZioNazi what ever that is.  I won't respond in kind.  I was being sincere and honest.  I question this group and it's link to the Iranian regime.  The Iranian regime has been at war with the USA for over 29 years now.  We have to pay attention to the games they are playing.  American lives are at risk.

As to sanctions, we need to do something to control the regime.  Their stated purpose at the beginning of the IRI was to export the Islamic Revolution and they have carefully followed through on that stated desire.  To ignore them, would be foolish. 

What is the number of Iranians killed by this regime in their own country?  Shall we count the little boys killed in the Iran Iraq War after Saddam begged for the war to stop? I have read that it was over one million since 1979. I'm no expert, but that's a lot of innocent Iranians dead because of this regime. 

 Sanctions are never intended to harm the people.  The leaders harm the people themselves in order to keep everything to themselves.  Saddam had warehouses full of food and medicine that could have saved children's lives, but he kept them for his army and himself  It's convenient to tell partial truths and make gross statements, but it doesn't solve problems. 

It would be stupid for the US to give airplane parts for the Iranian military to use against us.  It would be stupid for us to share technology with Iran if they want to kill us.  The Europeans must agree because they are using sanctions on Iran too.  The Russians and Chinese voted for every UN sanction and they love the Iranian government.  Ask them why they would sanction Iran.  They must have a valid reason for their votes. 

Now, call me whatever you wish.  Let others look at my statements and judge too.  I am being honest.  I have studied and I love Iranians more than the people of any country other than my own, the USA.  Well,  I like Canadians a lot too. 

Go ahead....get your jollies...


Q

Mehdi, the comparison is a positive, I think

by Q on

What I find funny is people hiding behind fake names, expressing "concern" over other people who have never hidden anything.

Fred jan (by the way, is it Fereydoon or Farhad?), we're still waiting for you to come clean with your own "full disclosure", as demanded by "concerned" bloggers on Iranian.com. Why do you continue to hide your name, address and affiliations?

Yea, that's exactly what I thought.

As a member of neither group, I support them both in their efforts which are completely legitimate. But I also think the frequent comparison to AIPAC actually helps them, or at least NIAC.

AIPAC is the most powreful lobby in Washington, with tens of millions of dollars and is directly tied into to $Billions of money going to Israel for military assistance and security contracts. To put NIAC at that level is to truly compliment it. I don't think our gang of "concerned" citizens here actually mean to praise NIAC in any way, or suggest that they have any where near the power of AIPAC, but I think deep down, they are afraid it will a lot more power someday and at this rate, it might be real soon.


K Nassery

I do ask the same question about AIPAC

by K Nassery on

Why are they here? 

It's dishonest to question the intention of Iranians here and not question the intention of Israelis and their supporters.  I was just trying to "keep to the topic" of the thread.

I have been looking at this CASMII organization on the web search sites.  It seems that a number of university professors who were orginally on their board have left and have asked that their names not be associated with the organization.  That makes me wonder if they discovered something  about the group.  Why would you leave something that you helped found and try to distance yourself from it?  One name was Navad....


Mehdi

To: K Nassery -- Question about AIPAC

by Mehdi on

You know, ask the same questions if you have any sense of honesty and decency.


Mehdi

ZioNazis hate anything related to NIAC - I love it!

by Mehdi on

They keep coming up with "SUSPICIONS" as they have no evidence of wrong-doing and they are hoping their smear campaign will deter people from NIAC. They are very busy supporting one of the most criminal lobby groups in the US, the AIPAC and refuse to talk about it or answer any question about it, yet pretend like they have some valid reason to attack a decent organization. But what else should we expect from a bunch of warmongers who thrive on getting other nations into wars? The good things is that you are making ZioNazism very well-known on this site. Fred, Programmer Craig and K Nassery are very upset - that's reason enough to know that NIAC is fighting criminality! Why do you feel obliged to fight decency and peacefulness?


K Nassery

Question about CASMII and NAIC

by K Nassery on

Are these two groups in the USA?  It seems that they are the voice of the Iranian goverment.  The things they say are the propaganda that you see on Iranian government sanctioned sites.  Are they legally here because I thought that foreign governments were not supposed to be politically active in the USA?  Also, do these groups have tax exempt status?  I think the US government is failing to monitor the activities of foreign nationals in our country.  Am I wrong about these people?

 


Shiny Head

Re: Come clean

by Shiny Head on

Fred (or however many other aliases you use):

 

What are you ranting about? We all know you are a Zio-Nazi and have no respect for human life or human dignity. You and your bosses in Tel Aviv are just there to suck blood of innocent, and when there is shortage of blood there, they start "exploring other blood sucking opportunities" in the "neighborhood". If someone with a better history was ranting, may be there would be listeners for their cause. But you and the Zio-Nazi establishment gets no sympathy.

 

thanks for ranting.


mostaghel

Thanks for a great article.

by mostaghel on

Thank You.


Fred

Come clean

by Fred on

CASMII and NIAC lobbies continuously claimed to be separate entities with no, none, zilch, nada of connection. When asked about it NIAC’ director of community relations denied it point blank. Now Daniel Mehdi the aerospace engineer Pourkhasali proudly advertises his simultaneous board memberships: “He is also a columnist and board member of the Campaign Against Sanctions and MilitaryIntervention in Iran (CASMII), National Iranian American Council (NIAC), Persian Gulf Organization, and Iranians for International Cooperation.” The same goes for the shadowy cofounder of NIAC, one Alex Patico who is on CASMII board too, and number of others. What other truths have they been denying and covering up and why? And why aren’t they putting any pressure on the Islamist republic? Is it that lobbying is a one way affair? Does getting around Foreign Agent Registration Act have anything to do with it?


Mehdi

Sanctions are NOT diplomacy - they are the preparation for war

by Mehdi on

The power of the nations in the hands of governments who are themselves hijacked by special interest groups is being mis-used and abused to serve a few, instead of the good of all people. Sanctions are NOT diplomacy - the current US administration is redefining the word "diplomacy." Sanctions are the begining steps of preparation for a war. It is a threat and punishment and NOT diplomacy. So why does the hijacked government lie and perverts the word "diplomacy?" Why are they not honest and say it what is - preparation for war.What are they hiding. Why are they lying?


programmer craig

Daniel

by programmer craig on

When faced with threat of a veto or inability to gain majority consent within the Council, the United States has elected to act unilaterally
more than any other nation or multinational body in the world

The US imposed sanctions on Iran unilaterally in 1979. And never lifted them. If you want to rant about OTHER countries who have recently oimposed sanctions, then do so. If you want to rant about US sanctions imposed recently by the US, thendo so. But US sanctions on Iran are NOT new. So what is the purpose of this blog post? Next you'll be complaining the US is trying to get Iran diplomatically isolated, right?