Sanctions in International Politics

Houssein Al Malla joined the GIGA Doctoral Programme in October 2022. He is currently working on his dissertation titled “Personality and Foreign Policy: The Role of Political Psychology in Accounting for the Outcomes of International Sanctions”. Get to know Houssein in this interview.

Political scientist Dr. Hana Attia receives this year’s Leibniz “Humanities and Social Sciences” PhD prize for her research on international sanctions. The award ceremony took place on 27 November 2024 during the annual meeting of the Leibniz Association in Berlin. The GIGA congratulates Hana on this award. 

At the 2024 Annual Convention of the International Studies Association in San Francisco in April, GIGA scholars present their research results and discuss topics central to international cooperation. 

The United States is preventing oil from entering Cuba. Without these shipments, Cuba will find itself in an existential crisis, and the socialist government will be forced to negotiate with the United States. Following his recent visit to Cuba, GIGA expert Prof. Dr. Bert Hoffmann shares his impressions and provides important political context.

Am 13. und 14. Oktober 2025 boten GIGA-Wissenschaftler:innen im Rahmen von „Leibniz im Bundestag“ Einzelgespräche für Bundestagsabgeordnete zu aktuellen außenpolitischen Themen an. Parlamentsmitglieder aus allen Fraktionen machten davon Gebrauch. 

Why are democracies under pressure worldwide? How does the Chinese scientific community view international relations? How do sanctions work? Ask our experts your questions at “Book a Scientist” on 3 June.

Cecilia Natalie Strom joined the GIGA as a Research Fellow at the Institute for African Affairs in October 2023. She is working in a project on Individual Sanctions Targeting (INSA) with Christian von Soest. The working title of her dissertation is “Individual Targeted Sanctions Reconsidered: The Impact of Individual sanctions on elite networks and conflict intensity.” She holds a master’s in Peace and Conflict Research from the Uppsala University. Learn more about Cecilia in this interview.

The effectiveness of sanctions remains controversial. In his new book, Christian von Soest takes up this debate. He analyses the use of the instrument in international politics and offers guidelines and recommendations for Europe and Germany regarding the imposition of such punitive measures in the future.

The YES! – Young Economic Summit opens doors and sets a stage for new and creative ideas of the next generation. High school students deal with global problems in the realm of economy, policy, society and environment. This year, the GIGA contributed with its knowledge on sanctions.

Houssein Al Malla joined the GIGA Doctoral Programme in October 2022. He is currently working on his dissertation titled “Personality and Foreign Policy: The Role of Political Psychology in Accounting for the Outcomes of International Sanctions”. Get to know Houssein in this interview.

Political scientist Dr. Hana Attia receives this year’s Leibniz “Humanities and Social Sciences” PhD prize for her research on international sanctions. The award ceremony took place on 27 November 2024 during the annual meeting of the Leibniz Association in Berlin. The GIGA congratulates Hana on this award. 

At the 2024 Annual Convention of the International Studies Association in San Francisco in April, GIGA scholars present their research results and discuss topics central to international cooperation.