International sanctions, which are penalties set by groups like the UN, greatly affect countries in different ways. Here’s a simple look at some of these impacts:

1. Economic Consequences:

   • In 2014, after Russia took control of Crimea, sanctions caused Russia's economy to shrink by 1.7% in just one year.
   • Between 2012 and 2015, Iran's economy shrank by 25% because of sanctions aimed at its nuclear program.

2. Humanitarian Effects:

   • Sanctions can make it hard for people to get important goods. For example, in Yemen, the humanitarian crisis got worse when sanctions restricted aid from reaching those in need.

3. Political Changes:

   • The sanctions against Iraq in the 1990s led to a lot of political problems. It is believed that these sanctions played a role in the deaths of over 500,000 children, which sparked discussions about changing the government there.