Study Claims US-EU Sanctions Killed 38 Million Since 1971 in Global South
According to the analysis, a Lancet Global Health study examined mortality linked to unilateral sanctions imposed by the US and EU on Global South countries from 1971 onward, concluding that such sanctions have caused approximately 38 million deaths. The analysis argues that sanctions function as a form of economic warfare with severe humanitarian consequences for civilian populations in targeted nations. Per the source's framing, this research challenges the conventional narrative around sanctions as a non-military policy tool and questions their use as a primary mechanism of international coercion.
Verified
- ✓A Lancet Global Health study examined mortality associated with US and EU sanctions on Global South countries from 1971 forward. (Source: Al Jazeera English/Jason Hickel citing study)
Interpretation
- ~The analysis argues that sanctions function as 'a different kind of war' with significant civilian mortality consequences. (Source: Al Jazeera Reframe episode framing)
- ~The source characterizes the 38 million figure as evidence that sanctions should be reconsidered as a policy tool. (Source: Jason Hickel's argument in the clip)
▸▾Why this is here
- Source type
- Public Broadcaster (Tier 3)
- Content type
- Analysis
- Confidence
- Analysis
- Coverage
- 0 of 15 major US outlets
- Published
- April 29, 2026 at 10:24 AM PDT
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