People who live in hermit states like North Korea, Burma, and Cuba already suffer from global isolation. Fed on a diet of propaganda, they don't know what's happening inside their borders or outside of them. By increasing their seclusion, sanctions make it easier for dictators to blame external enemies for a country's suffering.

In this quote, Jacob Weisberg discusses the consequences of global isolation in countries like North Korea, Burma, and Cuba. He highlights how people in these nations already endure significant isolation, both from the world outside and from a truthful understanding of what is happening within their own borders. These populations are often subject to propaganda, which distorts their perceptions and limits their awareness of international events or internal struggles. Weisberg suggests that isolation not only amplifies this disconnect but also exacerbates the suffering of the people living there.

Weisberg also critiques the role of sanctions in deepening this seclusion. While sanctions are often imposed as a means of punishing or pressuring authoritarian regimes, Weisberg argues that they can have the unintended effect of strengthening the grip of dictators on power. When these countries are isolated further, the ruling authorities can easily portray their struggles as being caused by external enemies, deflecting blame from their own policies and actions. This allows dictators to maintain control by rallying nationalistic sentiments and focusing public frustration on foreign adversaries.

The quote speaks to the complexity of international relations and the unintended consequences of political actions. By increasing a country’s isolation, it becomes more difficult for the people to discern the true causes of their suffering. This can perpetuate a cycle of propaganda and manipulation, where the ruling powers maintain their narrative and avoid accountability for their actions. Weisberg is cautioning that while sanctions may aim to weaken oppressive regimes, they often inadvertently make it easier for such regimes to justify their control and deepen the isolation of their people.

Ultimately, Weisberg’s message is a call to consider the broader implications of policies like sanctions. He urges a deeper understanding of how isolation can further entrench authoritarian rule and prevent citizens from seeing the true nature of their circumstances. By highlighting the role of propaganda and the external narrative pushed by dictators, Weisberg underscores the need for more thoughtful and targeted solutions to global issues.