Cordon sanitaire (international relations)

Imagine you have a tummy ache and you don't want your friends to get sick too. So, you ask them to stay away from you until you feel better. That is like a cordon sanitaire in international relations. It is a fancy word for a quarantine.

Sometimes countries may have a big problem like an infectious disease or war. And just like you, they don't want their neighbours to get hurt too. So, they create a cordon sanitaire, which means they create a buffer zone or a safe distance between themselves and the affected area.

This usually involves closing borders, restricting travel, and establishing checkpoints. It may also involve deploying military forces to secure the area and ensure nobody enters or exits without proper screening.

The purpose of cordon sanitaire is to contain the problem, prevent its spread, and protect neighbouring countries. It can also give some time to authorities to figure out what is happening, and how to address the problem effectively.

In summary, a cordon sanitaire is like a big border wall that countries create to protect themselves and their neighbours from harm.