Podcast / American Prestige / Dec 10, 2024

US Sanctions as Economic Warfare

On this episode of American Prestige, Jeff Stein on how the functions of US sanctions have changed over time.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

US Sanctions as Economic Warfare w/ Jeff Stein | American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

On this episode of American Prestige, Danny and Derek speak with Jeff Stein, White House economics reporter for The Washington Post, about his series on US sanctions for the Post, "The Money War". They talk about the function of economic sanctions for the US and how that's changed over time, broader cases like Iran to targeted ones like Russian businessman Viktor Vekselberg, how sanctions can "disconnect" war from the public, the humanitarian impact, and more.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

(Natalia Kolesnikova / AFP via Getty Images)

On this episode of American Prestige, we speak with Jeff Stein, White House economics reporter for The Washington Post, about his series on US sanctions for the Post, “The Money War,” about the function of economic sanctions for the US and how that’s changed over time, broader cases like Iran to targeted ones like Russian businessman Viktor Vekselberg, how sanctions can “disconnect” war from the public, the humanitarian impact, and more.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Lebanon Ceasefire, Orbán Loses Hungarian Election, Trump Prepares Cuba Incursion | American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

Subscribe now to get lots of bonus content (and no ads).

Danny and Derek are considering attending the Met Gala. In this week’s news: Iran talks amble along despite U.S. forces building up in the region (1:55); the U.S. blockade restricts oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz (9:49); Lebanon and Israel declare a 10-day ceasefire (12:23); Hamas meets U.S. officials in Cairo to advance the talks over Gaza (19:37); Iraq’s parliament elects Nizar Ahmed as president (21:52); Sudan’s war enters its fourth year as Berlin pledges aid (25:21); Libya’s rival governments approve a joint national budget (27:20); Hungary’s opposition defeats Viktor Orbán in parliamentary elections (30:28); Britain suspends the Chagos handover after Trump objects (33:39); Peru’s election continues into a second day and heads to a runoff (36:39); Trump and J.D. Vance feud with Pope Leo over the Iran war (39:39), leading Italian PM Giorgia Meloni to distance herself from Trump (43:49); and the Trump administration prepares military plans for an operation in Cuba (46:17).

Check out our Marx Prestige miniseries— new episodes drop on Tuesdays!

And join our Discord. Subscribers get access to all channels.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

Daniel Bessner

Daniel Bessner is an historian of US foreign relations, and cohost of American Prestige, a podcast on international affairs.

Derek Davison

Derek Davison is a writer and analyst specializing in international affairs and US foreign policy. He is the publisher of the Foreign Exchanges newsletter, cohost of the American Prestige podcast, and former editor of LobeLog.

More from The Nation

Cybertrucks Are a Safety Disaster—With Dara Kerr

Cybertrucks Are a Safety Disaster—With Dara Kerr Cybertrucks Are a Safety Disaster—With Dara Kerr

Paris Marx and Dara Kerr discuss how Elon’s prioritization of aesthetics over safety created a safety crisis, causing people to burn alive in their Cybertrucks.

Paris Marx

Protesters hold a “No Kings” flag as they take part in the rally and march on March 28, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Rebecca Solnit on Long-Term Strategy—Plus, Resisting ICE in Small-Town America Rebecca Solnit on Long-Term Strategy—Plus, Resisting ICE in Small-Town America

Podcast / Start Making Sense / Dec 10, 2024 US Sanctions as Economic Warfare On this episode of Start Making Sense, Rebecca Solnit argues for understanding change over more t…

Podcast / Start Making Sense

US President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his Mar-a-Lago club on December 29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida.

America, Israel, and the Jews (With David Klion) America, Israel, and the Jews (With David Klion)

Aaron and Matt are joined by Nation columnist David Klion to talk about the role that Israel has played in the rise of American fascism.

President Donald Trump pauses as he finishes speaking about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

The Party of Chaos—With Paul Heideman The Party of Chaos—With Paul Heideman

Danny and Derek welcome writer Paul Heideman to talk about the shift of the Republican Party from the party of business interests to a fragmented, personality-driven coalition

Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

An AI-generated video of London in decline, shared on the social media site X.

Take a Break From the Feed—With Amanda Mull Take a Break From the Feed—With Amanda Mull

Paris Marx talks with Amanda Mull to discuss the effects of constantly “monitoring the situation,” including spiking anxiety and disconnection, and what can be done to recalibrate...

Paris Marx

A protester holds a “FIGHT FASCISM” placard depicting Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler, during a demonstration in London.

Let’s Fight Some Fascists (With Astra Taylor and Mark Bray)  Let’s Fight Some Fascists (With Astra Taylor and Mark Bray) 

Aaron, Matt, and Jonathan are joined by authors Astra Taylor and Mark Bray for a big-picture conversation about what it means to fight fascism in this historical moment.

x