Are Sanctions an Effective Policy Tool?
Topics: Economics, Politics, World
Public Release Date: June 27, 2025
This debate was produced in partnership with the Human Rights Foundation at the Oslo Freedom Forum in Oslo, Norway, on May 26, 2025.
Open to Debate, in partnership with the Human Rights Foundation and the Oslo Freedom Forum, is examining a strategy employed by many countries to respond to aggressive or authoritarian regimes. In recent years, these have been levied against countries such as Russia, Venezuela, and Iran, which have ranged from freezing assets and trade bans to travel restrictions and full embargoes. But do sanctions work in deterring repression? Those arguing that they’re effective claim that they’re a nonviolent way to force change and serve as a deterrent for other countries. Those who are skeptical about the efficacy of sanctions say they are leaky, don’t lead to regime change, and can harm civilians and exacerbate humanitarian crises. Now with this background, we debate the question: Are Sanctions an Effective Policy Tool?
FOR THE MOTION:
Leopoldo López: Venezuelan Opposition Leader
Artie McConnell: Former Federal Prosecutor; Partner at BakerHostetler LLP
AGAINST THE MOTION:
Christopher Sabatini: Senior Fellow for Latin America at Chatham House
Elizabeth Shackelford: Former Diplomat in the U.S. State Department
MODERATOR-IN-CHIEF:
John Donvan: Emmy award-winning journalist
