We seem careful only to sanction countries with which we do very little trade, thereby leaving our allies, who are obliged to follow our lead, to suffer the consequences while we reap the benefits.
Sanctions on Russia are a case in point, as the Europeans replace cheap Russian pipeline gas with expensive LNG sourced from the United States, but seeing their energy intensive industries relocate across the pond anyway.
Madeleine Albright explained to Jim Lehrer (Feb '98) that "if we have to go alone, we will." She said multilateral sanctions were "often better than when we do it alone," but the US wouldn't hesitate to buck allies/the UN: "if we don't like it, we always have the option of following our own national security interests, which I assure you we will do if we don't like what's going on."
As on dramatic example, look at the annual UN vote condemning the US unilateral blockade on Cuba. 30+ years of the whole world vs US.
We seem careful only to sanction countries with which we do very little trade, thereby leaving our allies, who are obliged to follow our lead, to suffer the consequences while we reap the benefits.
Sanctions on Russia are a case in point, as the Europeans replace cheap Russian pipeline gas with expensive LNG sourced from the United States, but seeing their energy intensive industries relocate across the pond anyway.
Not a lot of moral high ground here imo.
Question: Does the US confer with our allies and coordinate sanctions, or does the US go it alone?
Madeleine Albright explained to Jim Lehrer (Feb '98) that "if we have to go alone, we will." She said multilateral sanctions were "often better than when we do it alone," but the US wouldn't hesitate to buck allies/the UN: "if we don't like it, we always have the option of following our own national security interests, which I assure you we will do if we don't like what's going on."
As on dramatic example, look at the annual UN vote condemning the US unilateral blockade on Cuba. 30+ years of the whole world vs US.