Sanctions even apply to contests for short stories; that's a bit absurd isn't it?

Did you know that people in Syria, Iran, North Korea and Sudan cannot enter Writer's Digest contests? Isn't that unfair and over the top?

Living well is not based upon ostracizing people due to where they live.

• Due to U.S. Government restrictions we are unable to accept entries from Syria, Iran, North Korea, or Sudan

Sanctions on Syria, Iran, North Korea and Sudan

One of the most egregious ironies is that Syria is continuing to be destroyed, citizens murdered in horrible ways, by the USA and its allies;  Saudi Arabia, Israel, UK and mercenaries that use terrorist tactics.

Iran is sanctioned (allegedly) due to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) often labelled the Iran nuclear agreement, which was agreed upon before the most recent presidential election. The agreement is multilateral and has the blessing of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 

Another is that North and South Korea are working out agreements, such as the joint participation in the Olympics, which will be held in South Korea.

The US states that it is not sanctioning Sudan, but instead the actions only pertain to the perpetrators of the war.

What do you think?