In 1991, Iraq was forced into an unprecedented disarmament process and its military has been greatly reduced. The chemical, biological, nuclear and long-range ballistic missile programs that were a real threat in 1991 had, by 1998, been destroyed or rendered harmless. Sanctions undermine U.S. interests , both in Iraq and throughout the region. In targeting civilians, sanctions have fostered resentment among the Iraqi people toward the United States, not Saddam Hussein. They have strengthened Hussein's power and undermined institutions of civil society necessary for democratic change.
Most Iraqi dissidents oppose economic sanctions.
U.S. indifference to abject suffering in Iraq has elevated anti-American sentiment in the Arab world. Lifting economic sanctions would take a powerful propaganda weapon away from Saddam Hussein, who can currently blame the misery of the Iraqi people on the United States. In late May, US and British forces bombed Iraqi cities for four consecutive days. The ongoing bombing of Iraq undermines efforts to renew weapons inspections and Iraqi disarmament. De-linking economic from military sanctions would effectively end the humanitarian crisis, while strengthening a strict international arms embargo on Iraq without targeting innocent civilians.