Smart Sanctions on Afghanistan: The Real Target is Peace, as Afghans Suffer

Published in Z Magazine on 31st December 2000

One-Sided Arms Embargo
The United Nations Security Council voted on 19 December to intensify the existing sanctions against the Taliban militia that currently rules Afghanistan. The goal of the sanctions, according to United States Ambassador to the UN, Nancy Soderberg, is “convincing the Taliban leadership to turn over the terrorist that we seek.” The terrorist is Osama bin Laden, the Saudi businessman wanted by the US in connection with the bombings of its embassies …