THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE US SANCTIONS POLICY IMPLEMENTATION: THE NORD STREAM 2 GAS PIPELINE CASE

Abstract

It has become common practice for the US administration to apply sanctions to countries that adopt policies to defend their political, economic, and military interests but affect or are against those of the US. The application of the US sanctions policy has been extended in recent years to include even friendly or allied countries. When is the US sanction policy applied? In principle, when other countries assume positions or adopt political, economic, and military policies that do not respect or reflect the US interests or do not support its commercial, economic, political, or military policies and positions. As a result of the US sanctions policy's expansion application, now the US government does not distinguish between allies, friends, adversaries, or enemies. Sanctions against Germany and other European countries and companies and Russian companies for constructing the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline are clear examples of what has been said above. But, what happens if all great powers apply the same US sanction policy? The reaction of China, Russia, and the EU, among others rejecting the US sanctions policy covering political, economic, and military issues, complicates the search for acceptable solutions to the main world problems increasing tensions at this level. Undoubtedly, this is not the way to find acceptable solutions to international or regional disputes. They can only be found through negotiations in good faith, the use of diplomacy, and increasing trust among countries involved in regional and international disputes. The use of unilateral force, the adoption of arbitrary sanctions, or the threat of military actions to force change another country's position or policy will not strengthen international peace and security but the contrary.