Smaller states can sanction larger powers without inviting retaliation, provided an international organisation stands behind them, according to research by Claas Mertens. 

In a new article in International Interactions, Claas analyses more than 1,400 episodes of economic sanctions. He finds that when economically weaker states sanction stronger ones, the risk of countersanctions rises sharply as the power gap widens. 

However, when their sanctions have the backing of an international organisation, that risk stays low.