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  - Are Sanctions an…
    
    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? This debate was produced in partnership with the Human Rights Foundation at the Oslo Freedom Forum in Oslo, Norway, on May 26, 2025.
    
    Friday, June 27, 2025
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Shibley Telhami

Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland, College Park

Non-resident senior fellow at the Saban Center at the Brookings Institution

In 2006, Shibley served on the Iraq Study Group as a member of the Strategic Environment Working Group.

Debates Featuring Shibley Telhami

Spreading Democracy in the Middle East is a Bad Idea

With Liz Cheney, Flynt Leverett, Danielle Pletka, Natan Sharansky, Dimitri K. Simes, Shibley Telhami

September 18, 2007

One of the key justifications for the invasion of Iraq was spreading democracy in the Middle East. Proponents of democratization argue that the United States has a moral responsibility to empower those seeking freedom around the world, while others question the legitimacy of a governance structure imposed by outsiders. Is spreading democracy in the Middle East a bad idea?

Spreading Democracy in the Middle East is a Bad Idea

One of the key justifications for the invasion of Iraq was spreading democracy in the Middle East. Proponents of democratization argue that the United States has a moral responsibility to empower those seeking freedom around…

With Liz Cheney, Flynt Leverett, Danielle Pletka, Natan Sharansky, Dimitri K. Simes, Shibley Telhami

September 18, 2007

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