Warfare History

Sanctioned Nations: A Historical Look at Countries the World Tried to Isolate

Darren - August 6, 2025

Economic and political sanctions are tools employed by nations and international bodies to influence the behavior of other states. These measures, which can include trade restrictions, asset freezes, and travel bans, aim to compel governments to adhere to international norms and policies. Throughout history, the global community has utilized sanctions to isolate countries accused of misconduct or policy violations, seeking to enforce compliance and promote stability. Understanding the evolution and impact of these sanctions provides insight into their role in shaping international relations.

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1. Iran

Iran has been one of the most sanctioned countries in modern history. At the heart of global disputes over its nuclear program, Iran has faced multiple waves of international sanctions since 1979, intensifying after 2006 under UN Security Council mandates. These sanctions targeted oil exports, banking, and key industries, seeking to pressure Tehran into compliance. The 2015 nuclear deal briefly eased restrictions, but they were largely reimposed by the U.S. in 2018. Despite some similarities to sanctions on North Korea, Iran’s isolation has been more extensive economically. (cfr.org)

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2. North Korea

North Korea remains a case study in hardline international sanctions, primarily over its persistent nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. Since 2006, the UN, U.S., and EU have targeted everything from arms trade to crucial economic sectors. Unlike Iran, North Korea’s economy is largely insulated and reliant on limited trade partners like China, intensifying the nation’s isolation but failing to curtail its nuclear ambitions. The country’s ongoing hardship illustrates the challenges of isolating highly secretive regimes.

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3. Cuba

The U.S. embargo on Cuba, initiated in 1960, is one of the longest-lasting sanction regimes. Enacted after Fidel Castro’s communist revolution, it bars U.S. trade, investment, and travel. While some restrictions eased under President Obama, subsequent administrations reversed many policies. Unlike the multilateral approaches to Iran and North Korea, the Cuban embargo has been unilateral but persistent, shaping decades of U.S.-Cuba relations and sparking debate over its humanitarian effects.

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4. South Africa (Apartheid Era)

During the late 20th century, South Africa faced sweeping international sanctions in opposition to its entrenched apartheid system. Major economies enforced trade embargoes, cultural boycotts, and disinvestment throughout the 1980s. These measures, echoing sanctions on Rhodesia, helped pressure the government toward reform and eventual dissolution of apartheid in the early 1990s. South Africa’s case is often cited as one of the rare examples where comprehensive sanctions contributed directly to profound political change. (thecommonwealth.org)

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5. Russia

Russia has faced stringent sanctions, particularly after the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Western-led sanctions target energy exports, financial systems, and individual elites, aiming to cripple the Russian economy and pressure Moscow to withdraw. The post-2022 measures outpace most historical sanctions in scale and coordination, resembling the economic isolation of Iran but with broader global impact due to Russia’s market size. Enforcement and evasion remain contentious issues.

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6. Syria

Syria has been under international sanctions since the eruption of civil conflict in 2011. The U.S., EU, and Arab League targeted President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, citing repression and war crimes. Sanctions have aimed to restrict oil revenues and international financial access, reminiscent of sanctions on Iraq. However, humanitarian organizations have warned these measures strain ordinary civilians more than political elites, igniting debate over their efficacy and morality.

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7. Iraq

Following the 1990 invasion of Kuwait, the United Nations imposed sweeping sanctions on Iraq. These remained in place until the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, severely limiting the country’s ability to trade oil and goods. While designed to curtail Saddam Hussein’s military ambitions, the sanctions contributed to widespread humanitarian crises, sparking controversy over their scale and impact compared to later programs like those imposed on Iran. The Iraq experience spurred major debates on sanctions as a tool of foreign policy.

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8. Myanmar (Burma)

Myanmar has faced on-and-off sanctions due to longstanding military rule and recent crackdowns on democracy. Western nations first imposed sanctions in the 1990s targeting the ruling junta. After a brief period of reform and lifted measures, the 2021 military coup triggered a new wave of economic and diplomatic isolation. Myanmar’s sanctions have often been compared to those imposed on Zimbabwe, reflecting global disapproval and complicated impacts on everyday citizens.

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9. Zimbabwe

Sanctions on Zimbabwe began in the early 2000s in response to disputed elections and violent land reform policies under Robert Mugabe’s rule. The U.S. and EU targeted government officials and key assets but avoided full economic embargoes. The restrictive measures, similar to those faced by Myanmar and Sudan, remain controversial: critics say they hurt the wider economy, while supporters argue they’re necessary to promote reform. Zimbabwe’s leaders have frequently blamed sanctions for chronic economic hardships.

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10. Venezuela

Venezuela has found itself under intense global scrutiny and sanctions due to political turmoil, human rights abuses, and alleged election rigging. In recent years, the U.S. and allies have sanctioned state oil company PDVSA and key government figures. These sanctions aim to pressure President Nicolás Maduro to restore democratic order. The approach is reminiscent of actions against Iran and Russia, with significant humanitarian implications and complex debates about the consequences for an already-struggling population.

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11. Libya

Sanctions against Libya intensified in the 1980s after the country’s involvement in international terrorism, including the Lockerbie bombing. The UN and U.S. imposed travel, financial, and arms restrictions, severely limiting Libya’s global engagement. Sanctions were lifted gradually following the abandonment of WMD programs in 2003, serving as a rare example where economic isolation led to policy change. Comparisons are often drawn with earlier sanctions on Iraq and more recent cases like North Korea.

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12. Sudan

Sudan faced decades of international sanctions due to human rights abuses, civil war, and state-sponsored terrorism allegations. The U.S. placed Sudan on its State Sponsors of Terrorism list in 1993, leading to sweeping economic restrictions. After the secession of South Sudan and some reforms, many sanctions were lifted in 2017. However, ongoing unrest and authoritarian governance keep Sudan under global scrutiny. The situation echoes those faced by Iran and Zimbabwe, with mixed humanitarian outcomes.

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13. Yugoslavia (1990s)

Amid the Balkan wars of the 1990s, Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) became the focus of some of the UN’s most stringent sanctions. These embargoes isolated the country’s economy, targeting oil, arms, and trade in response to ethnic cleansing and conflict. The sanctions had devastating effects on civilians, similar to the experience in Iraq, and remained controversial in their breadth. Their eventual easing was tied to peace processes and regime change. (press.un.org)

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14. Afghanistan (Taliban Regime)

International sanctions were first applied to Afghanistan in the late 1990s due to the Taliban’s connections with terrorism, notably harboring Osama bin Laden. The UN, US, and EU targeted Taliban assets, air travel, and trade. After the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, renewed sanctions followed, affecting humanitarian aid and pushing economic isolation that echoes the difficulties faced by North Korea and Iran. The impact on civilian lives is immense and growing.

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15. Serbia (Post-2000)

After the fall of Slobodan Milošević in 2000, Serbia began to reintegrate into the international community. The European Union lifted economic sanctions in October 2000, signaling a shift toward normalization (theguardian.com). Serbia applied for EU membership in December 2009 and received candidate status in March 2012. However, challenges remain, particularly regarding the status of Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008 and is recognized by many countries but not by Serbia. The path from international isolation to reengagement mirrors transitions seen in other nations, such as post-apartheid South Africa.

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Conclusion

Throughout history, economic sanctions have been employed as instruments to enforce international norms and prompt policy changes. However, their effectiveness has varied significantly across different contexts. While sanctions aim to pressure governments into compliance, they often have complex and debated humanitarian consequences. For instance, comprehensive sanctions have been linked to increased mortality rates and economic hardships for civilians (brookings.edu). These outcomes underscore the necessity for a nuanced approach in the design and implementation of sanctions, balancing strategic objectives with humanitarian considerations. Ongoing policy debates continue to assess the efficacy of sanctions, weighing their intended goals against potential unintended consequences.

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