In this policy report, the International Crisis Group argues that economic sanctions are unlikely to change the Taliban'e behavior, and will only hurt the most vulnerable Afghans. Sanctions are also likely to trigger state collapse, destabilizing the region and provoking another migration crisis. The authors agree that donors should indeed send humanitarian aid, but emergency relief is not enough. If the international community wishes to avert state failure and mass starvation in Afghanistan, it must help state institutions provide essential services, including health care, education, and a basic financial system.