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Geography

How Economic Sanctions Affect Regime Stability and Opposition Groups

Quick fact

Comprehensive economic sanctions often fail to destabilize regimes because they create a 'rally-around-the-flag' effect, boosting popular support for the sanctioned government. For example, U.S. sanctions on Cuba have been cited by many observers as helping Fidel Castro consolidate power by enabling him to blame external enemies for economic woes.

Why this is interesting

When countries face sanctions, we often expect leaders to buckle. But sometimes sanctions make them stronger. Why does pressure backfire?