Since 2000, U.S. and Western sanctions have played a decisive role in toppling governments across the Global South, from Iraq and Libya to Syria, Venezuela, and Afghanistan. This article examines the clear pattern: prolonged sanctions collapse economies, fuel unrest, trigger disputed elections, invite foreign intervention, and ultimately result in regime change. Zimbabwe narrowly escaped the same fate. Through a politically conscious and legally grounded anti-sanctions strategy led by civil society organisations such as ZASM, the struggle was shifted from a bilateral confrontation with the United States to a multilateral challenge involving the UN, SADC, and South Africa. This pressure led to the removal of sanctions, stabilised the economy, and averted invasion or regime change. The piece also explores how similar tactics are now being applied against Russia and China to preserve Western economic dominance.