SANCTIONS: A CASE STUDY

LESSON 3

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.