Crippling new sanctions punish Syrian civilians for US defeat in proxy war

Pushback with Aaron Maté

As Syria tries to recover from a nearly decade-long conflict, the US has imposed crippling new sanctions that explicitly target reconstruction. "For Syrians, sanctions on reconstruction and on oil and gas are likely to be felt most acutely," the Washington Post reports. "The Caesar Act will probably limit the government’s ability to procure oil, further hurting the already low quality of life." The new sanctions follow earlier coercive measures that had already hurt Syrian civilians, compounding the destruction of a lengthy proxy war fueled and funded by the US and its allies.

Guest: Elijah Magnier, veteran war correspondent who has covered the Middle East for more than three decades.

||| The Grayzone |||

[robertcloutier]

Every time I hear of new sanctions I send the White House an email complaining, but it probably just irritates the interns, But I'll keep trying.Thank you Grayzone for your real journalism.

[chipsnmydip]

Not unlike what we did to Vietnam, but even more brutal.

[floriancrazzi]

Aaron, maybe you forgot that Libya also had the best medical care, education, standard of living + more , on whole the African continent until US of Terror and NATOdid same thing they trying to do in Syria, Iran, Venezuela

[JuanCarlos]

Watching this video is depressing. Neither the UN nor anybody else cares or will do anything about it. Where is the UN General Assembly? Why is Russia so quiet? This reminds me of the sanctions on Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua etc. etc. After supporting all type of unsavory characters in Syria, Washington now punishes Syrians even more. The goal is to prevent Syria from becoming the prosperous and sovereign nation it used to be before the war. Terrible.

[omkarki]

American public must over throw their hawkish system.

[roymindmybusiness]

magnificent interview of Elijah Magnier Aaron you are a true journalist not a US propaganda mouthpiece, keep up the great work

[bongo]

The response to the question at 12:16 is brilliant and Aaron's facial expression at the end is priceless!!! He sure did not expect this eloquent answer...

[Antman]

Luckily the ICC exists to stop dictatorships like the US from committing these
Bahahhahaahahaa.

[darleneshriver]

I don't see much difference in the two elections, US and Syria. Americans don't really choose, the political parties do. Then there is the electoral college!

[MortVaanderwaal]

The Caesar Act Bill was sponsored by Rep. Eliot Engel, who’s currently being primaried right now by jamaal bowman

[maxmeggeneder]

Down with Us-imperialism!
End the sanctions!
#HandsOffSyria
#HandsOffIran
#HandsOffVenezuela

[hassanparchizadeh]

Grayzone, thanks for an eye opeing programme. Thanks Aaron

[sharond]

Hey Aaron Mate! Good to hear from you. Been missing your input!

[tfhouoe]

We need to hear more about how they're simultaneously burning the wheat fields in northern Syria

[lesbatty]

I am shocked i am still suprised by that fact, thats weird, brilliant work,

[FranzVonGaart]

A lot of people are talking about how America interferes in the middle east, but not enough people talk about how israel interferes with US foreign policy.

[felixdevilliers]

very nice to have another good video from Grayzone. I saw a document puiblished by USA top dogs congratulating themselves on the success of sanctions against Venezuela and they considered the death from starvation of 40, 000 people as part of that success. Later this sentence was removed.

[maxwel]

Pushback is the best journalistic program available by far

[oldfan]

16:06 - The U.S.is ripe to experience the same health care deprivations that the Syrians have been living for years.

[betrousaltaweel]

According to the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria (Russian ministry of defence) out of all the Syrian refugees abroad only around a quarter have any intention of returning. I live in Oman which has good relations with the Syrian government and most Syrians here support the government. Most Syrian refugees in Turkey and Europe don't support the government and won't return.