Publication

This report examines the effectiveness of US sanctions in the post-9/11 era. Its authors contend that 21st century sanctions have not had a significant effect on the GDPs of target countries, but they have had a significant negative impact on foreign investment, various forms of corruption, and the general ease of doing business. Additionally, anecdotal evidence suggests that sanctions can have an adverse effect on non-state actors such as narco-traffickers, terrorists, and cybercriminals. While drawing these various conclusions, the text's authors also examine 1) the role sanctions play in national security strategies; 2) how policymakers can use them to address their strategic problems; and 3) the counterproductive, unintended effects they can have. Finally, the authors recommend different ways that Washington might adjust the overall architecture of its financial sanctions programs.