Debate: Sanctions Don’t Work as a Tool of Foreign Policy
Intelligence Squared19 Marras 2025

Debate: Sanctions Don’t Work as a Tool of Foreign Policy

In partnership with GlobalSanctions.com, the world’s leading online resource for up to the minute information on sanctions and export controls worldwide. Sanctions have become one of the most widely used tools in modern foreign policy, imposed not only on states but also on individual leaders, oligarchs and corporations. From trade embargoes to asset freezes and travel bans, sanctions are deployed in response to everything from territorial aggression to human rights abuses. But do they actually work? Sanctions sceptics argue that they rarely achieve their goals and often inflict suffering on ordinary people while strengthening authoritarian regimes. Far from making unsavoury governments change course, they say, sanctions are little more than virtue signalling, allowing our leaders to appear resolute without doing the harder work of diplomacy or long-term strategic thinking. Proponents of sanctions counter that, when carefully targeted, sanctions can pressure both states and individuals without harming wider populations. Measures such as trade restrictions, freezing personal assets, grounding private jets and restricting access to international financial systems, they say, can deter bad behaviour, disrupt illicit networks and signal international resolve. Rather than abandoning sanctions altogether, we should focus on using them more intelligently and in conjunction with broader diplomatic strategies. Do sanctions work, or are they just political theatre? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jaksot(1523)

The Remarkable True Story of The Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970’s, with Jason Burke (Part Two)

The Remarkable True Story of The Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970’s, with Jason Burke (Part Two)

In the 1970s, a network of radical extremists terrorised the West with plane hijackings and hostage-takings. Among them were the beautiful young Leila Khaled with her jewellery made from grenade rings...

5 Tammi 35min

The Remarkable True Story of The Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970’s, with Jason Burke (Part One)

The Remarkable True Story of The Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970’s, with Jason Burke (Part One)

In the 1970s, a network of radical extremists terrorised the West with plane hijackings and hostage-takings. Among them were the beautiful young Leila Khaled with her jewellery made from grenade rings...

4 Tammi 40min

How Tech Platforms Threaten Our Future, With Former White House Advisor Tim Wu (Part Two)

How Tech Platforms Threaten Our Future, With Former White House Advisor Tim Wu (Part Two)

Tim Wu, is one of America’s leading thinkers on technology, power, and the history of monopoly powers. A Columbia Law School professor and former special assistant to President Joe Biden for technolog...

2 Tammi 44min

How Tech Platforms Threaten Our Future, With Former White House Advisor Tim Wu (Part One)

How Tech Platforms Threaten Our Future, With Former White House Advisor Tim Wu (Part One)

Tim Wu, is one of America’s leading thinkers on technology, power, and the history of monopoly powers. A Columbia Law School professor and former special assistant to President Joe Biden for technolog...

31 Joulu 202535min

How Philosophy Explains Our World, with Julian Baggini (Part Two)

How Philosophy Explains Our World, with Julian Baggini (Part Two)

--- If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £...

29 Joulu 202535min

How Philosophy Explains Our World, with Julian Baggini (Part One)

How Philosophy Explains Our World, with Julian Baggini (Part One)

What would Aristotle make of Keir Starmer? Would Plato be a Republican? And what can philosophy teach us about modern world? In October 2025 philosopher Julian Baggini came to Intelligence Squared t...

28 Joulu 202538min

Michael Rosen on Hope, Happiness and Finding Joy in the Small Things (Part Two)

Michael Rosen on Hope, Happiness and Finding Joy in the Small Things (Part Two)

Michael Rosen has known – and given – great joy in his life. And he has suffered immense sorrow.  Rosen is an author, poet and former children’s laureate, much-loved for his playful humour. He has wr...

26 Joulu 202542min

Michael Rosen on Hope, Happiness and Finding Joy in the Small Things (Part One)

Michael Rosen on Hope, Happiness and Finding Joy in the Small Things (Part One)

Michael Rosen has known – and given – great joy in his life. And he has suffered immense sorrow.  Rosen is an author, poet and former children’s laureate, much-loved for his playful humour. He has wr...

24 Joulu 202534min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
tervo-halme
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
viisupodi
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
rss-podme-livebox
rss-asiastudio
otetaan-yhdet
the-ulkopolitist
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-hyvaa-huomenta-bryssel
rss-kiina-ilmiot
linda-maria
rikosmyytit
radio-antro
rss-polikulaari-pitka-kiekko-ja-muut-ts-podcastit