interdictions

Interdictions refer to actions taken to prevent something from proceeding, entering, or being used. The term is used across military, law enforcement, and civil administration contexts, and it denotes stopping or delaying a process by restricting passage or access.

In military contexts, interdiction denotes operations intended to delay, disrupt, or destroy an adversary's forces, supplies, or communications before they can influence front-line actions. This typically involves air, maritime, or land measures aimed at denying the enemy the means to move or sustain operations, rather than defeating them in direct combat. Examples include air interdiction targeting logistical convoys, sea interdiction blocking shipping lanes, and cross-border interdiction of illicit shipments.

In border and law enforcement, interdiction refers to efforts to intercept illegal goods or persons before they can cross a border or enter a jurisdiction. This includes drug interdiction, people-smuggling interdiction, and contraband seizures. In legal contexts, interdiction can mean a court-ordered prohibition against a person or organization from certain activities, such as asset interdiction or restraining orders.

Interdiction operations face ethical and legal considerations, including proportionality, distinction between military targets and civilians, and adherence to international humanitarian and domestic laws. Effectiveness is often evaluated by the extent to which interdicted actions are prevented or delayed, rather than eliminated, and by the collateral damage or disruption caused to non-targets.

Related concepts include denial of passage, sanctions, and interdiction in international security theory. The term can be specified with modifiers (air interdiction, sea interdiction, border interdiction) to clarify the domain of action.