The Geopolitics of Crude: A Familiar Coercion Playbook
Let's follow the trail: FIRST INSTANCE: The Anglo-American Blockade (1950s) The concept of weaponizing economic policy for geopolitical ends has deep roots. One of the most glaring early examples was the Anglo-American effort to isolate the newly formed People's Republic of China after the Korean War. Through the China Committee (CHINCOM) , established in 1952 , the US and its allies imposed a
comprehensive embargo on strategic goods, effectively compelling other nations to sever trade ties. While nominally about limiting military capabilities, the underlying aim was to stunt China's economic growth and political influence (Source: US National Security Archive, 1999). Nations that bucked this trend faced diplomatic and economic repercussions, demonstrating an early form of 'secondary
sanctions' pressure, albeit less formal than today. REPETITIONS: Sanctions as a Tool of Regime Change (1970s-2000s) The strategy evolved. By the 1970s and 80s , the US began to systematically apply sanctions against nations perceived as adversaries, significantly against the Soviet Union and states like Cuba. The Cuban embargo, initiated in 1960 and codified in 1962, remains one of the
longest-standing examples of economic coercion (Source: Council on Foreign Relations). Fast forward to the 2000s , and the pattern intensified, particularly regarding Iran. The Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (originally ILSA) was continually expanded, penalizing foreign firms investing in Iran's energy sector. This directly targeted third-party countries and companies, forcing them to choose between