Blokade

A blockade is a measure intended to prevent passage of people, goods, or information into or out of a designated area. It is often used in armed conflict but can also function as a coercive political or economic tool. Blockades can target a country, a port, or a broader region and may involve naval patrols, ground checkpoints, and air restrictions.

Blockades take several forms. Maritime blockades are the classic version, where ships are stopped, searched, and prevented from entering or leaving a port. Land blockades or sieges seal off territory by surrounding it and restricting movement across borders. Air blockades restrict air space to limit transport and travel. Economic blockades or sanctions rely on trade restrictions without direct military enforcement, often applied through international coalitions or organizations.

Legal frameworks treat blockades as acts of war under international law. A blockade is typically required to be declared and notified to other states and neutrals, and it must be effectively enforced to be lawful. Neutral ships may be entitled to pass if they are not carrying contraband, and there are procedures for stopping and inspecting vessels and for exemptions or humanitarian considerations.

Historically, blockades have played a decisive role in many conflicts. Notable examples include the naval blockades of Napoleonic Europe, the Union blockade in the American Civil War, and the combined Allied blockade of Germany in the World Wars. The Berlin Blockade of 1948–1949 was a land-and-air effort to cut off land access, while economic sanctions remain a common modern tool of policy.

Blockades can achieve strategic aims but often raise humanitarian concerns, prompting calls for exemptions for essential goods and safe corridors for civilians.