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Minimizing Potential Threats from Iran: Assessing Economic Sanctions

[Washington Institute for Near East Policy] Matthew Levitt - As a former deputy assistant secretary of the treasury, I am often asked why I support the use of targeted financial measures if the use of these tools has not stopped Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon. Sanctions are no silver bullet. On their own, these financial tools can only do so much. But coupled with other tools - especially robust diplomacy, but also a credible military presence in the region - financial measures can effectively create leverage for diplomacy. That diplomacy should focus not only on Iran, but on Russia, China, our European and Asian allies, the Gulf States, and others. This is exactly the time to use financial tools to build leverage for diplomacy. With the hardline regime so significantly delegitimized, the regime's ability to easily deflect criticism over the state of the Iranian economy has been significantly undermined.
2009-07-31 06:00:00
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