Sanctions and Statecraft

Sanctions are among the most frequently used tools in diplomacy and foreign policy. For many states, they represent a key strategy of statecraft — shaping international behaviour without the use of force.

In this self-paced course from King’s College London, you will explore how sanctions function in the international system. Led by Professor Matthew Moran, a specialist in international security, the course blends theory with real-world case studies, examining:

• The purpose and varieties of sanctions used to exert coercive influence

• How sanctions operate within broader strategies of deterrence and compellence

• The shift from comprehensive to targeted sanctions and its significance

• The role of multilateral and unilateral actors in sanctions regimes

• How states and non-state actors resist, evade, or adapt to sanctions

Through applied learning and critical analysis, you’ll gain a clear understanding of how sanctions are designed, implemented, and contested in today’s global security environment.

This is a short course that can be completed in 5 hours — designed to be flexible and fit into your schedule.