1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

Stop pretending sanctions, bombing, and foreign coercion help people win freedom. The U.N. human rights office says unilateral sanctions can undermine basic rights including food, medical care, housing, and essential services. Research on authoritarian regimes also finds sanctions often fail to produce democratization and can even strengthen authoritarian rule through rally-around-the-flag effects. Research also shows foreign threats can help autocrats stay in power, while perceived foreign interference can reduce public support for protest movements and increase support for repression. Outside coercion does not create the conditions for liberation. It strengthens hardliners and makes genuine self-determination harder. A people’s freedom is built from within—through organizing, solidarity, and community—not through economic warfare, airstrikes, and regime-change fantasies. Reject further military action against Iran. Reject more sanctions and economic strangulation. End U.S. military and diplomatic support for Israel and any other state aiding, enabling, or advancing this war.