With the demise of despot Robert Mugabe and new elections, Zimbabwe should be enjoying a bright new chapter. Instead, a humanitarian catastrophe is looming. To prevent that disaster, the United States should work with the European Union and African Union to introduce targeted sanctions on top Zimbabwean leaders.

The threat to this nation of around 14 million people is very real. Following her visit to Zimbabwe last month, United Nations special rapporteur for food Hilal Elver described the situation.