Economic sanctions are measures imposed by countries or international organizations to influence the behavior of a specific nation or group. These sanctions can include trade restrictions, asset freezes, and financial penalties aimed at pressuring the targeted entity to change its policies or actions. Sanctions are often used in response to issues like human rights violations, military aggression, or nuclear proliferation. For example, the United States has imposed sanctions on North Korea to deter its nuclear weapons program. While sanctions can be effective, they may also have unintended consequences for the civilian population of the targeted country.