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.
