Thursday, March 21, 10:00 AM EDT

How Sanctions Work: Iran and the Impact of Economic Warfare

Sanctions have enormous consequences, especially when imposed by a country with the economic weight of the United States, inducing clear shockwaves in both the economy and political culture of the targeted state as well as upending the everyday lives of citizens. But do they influence the behavioral changes intended? Do sanctions work in the way they should? As the Iranian case makes clear, sanctions can have unintended, even contradictory consequences: After four decades, they have strengthened the Iranian state, impoverished its population, increased state repression, and escalated Tehran’s military posture toward the US and its allies in the region.

With policymakers currently struggling to find ways to deter Iran and prevent a further expansion of the Gaza war by Tehran’s regional partners and proxies, the question of the utility of sanctions is seminal. To examine their impact and effectiveness through the prism of Iran, the second most sanctioned country in the world, MEI is delighted to welcome the authors of the important, newly released book How Sanctions Work. Please join us for this timely and far-reaching discussion.

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