# post-war UN backlash **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 12, 2003, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-war-un-backlash/160826 "2003-03-12T14:53:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NevarMore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7feea3/32.png) [@NevarMore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NevarMore)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-war-un-backlash/160826/1 "2003-03-12T14:53:16Z")
Iraq was placed under sanctions after that war because they unjustly invaded another country, obviously without the support of the UN. Today the US is looking to invade Iraq without the support of the UN. The difference being Iraq just went and did it, while the US asked permission got a ‘No’ and is going to do it anyway. After/during the war, under UN rules and past examples, could the US be placed under economic sanctions? ---
**Author:** ![Tee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@Tee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tee)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-war-un-backlash/160826/2 "2003-03-12T15:10:50Z")
I think it’s possible, but suicidal for the UN. Yes we _could_ be sanctioned but it won’t happen. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-war-un-backlash/160826/3 "2003-03-12T15:12:18Z")
UN-approved sanctions? No, the US will simply veto them. I don’t think it will really come to full-blown sanctions with _eg._ France. However, in international diplomacy “favour” is everything and the current US administration is not only stepping on toes but effectively stamping around the room in hobnailed boots. I would be unsurprised to see those chickens come home to roost when, for example, Europe placed tariffs on products from Republican-marginal states such as Florida orange juice. ---
**Author:** ![Saen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Saen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saen)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-war-un-backlash/160826/4 "2003-03-12T15:41:49Z")
I would be surprised. but then agains i have been surprised by France quit a bit recently. However, I do not think anyone wants to get into a tariff war with US. I believe our trade deficit with almost all significant countries would not make that in their interest at all. france has a 10 billion annual trade surplus with the US. But, I guess if it is the right thing to do they will do whatever it takes ;p ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-war-un-backlash/160826/5 "2003-03-13T00:52:31Z")
> [@](#): > > The difference being Iraq just went and did it, while the US asked permission got a ‘No’ and is going to do it anyway. No, the key difference is that America is a modern, western, moral democratic republic and Iraq is an unelected, amoral, brutal, military, outlaw-state. After 9/11 the ‘sovereignty’ of terrorist-supporting, totalitarian governments is not worth respecting or even acknowledging. ---
**Author:** ![X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbe5ce/32.png) [@X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X_Slayer_ALE)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-war-un-backlash/160826/6 "2003-03-13T01:06:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NevarMore \* > \*\*After/during the war, under UN rules and past examples, could the US be placed under economic sanctions? \*\* That would be like telling McDonalds they cant import anymore hamburgers. Even if these sanctions were put in place, how will the UN enforce them? ---
**Author:** ![Ulterior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/85f322/32.png) [@Ulterior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulterior)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-war-un-backlash/160826/7 "2003-03-13T01:20:49Z")
The Security Council, the only UN body authorized to do so, won’t, with an American veto. -Ulterior