Many people have the
misconception that sanctions are an effective means to encourage a change of
behavior in another country without war. However, imposing sanctions and
blockades are not only an act of war according to international law, they are
most often the first step toward a real war starting with a bombing campaign.
Sanctions were the first step in our wars against Iraq and Libya, and now
more sanctions planned against Syria and Iran are leading down the same
destructive path.
According to the International
Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) latest report, just out this month, there is no
evidence that Iran has diverted enriched uranium from the peaceful and lawful
generation of power toward building a nuclear weapon. According to the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran has every right to develop nuclear
energy for peaceful purposes. Unfortunately, US foreign policy has boxed Iran
into a corner where they may view development of a nuclear weapon as the only
way to maintain sovereignty. They are surrounded by unfriendly nuclear powers
and history has shown that having a nuclear weapon is the best way to avoid
being bombed or invaded. The unintended consequences of our confrontational
policies toward Iran may be to actually encourage them to seek nuclear
weapons capabilities. We should be using diplomacy rather than threats and
hostility.
Fortunately there is another
way. Nothing promotes peace better than free trade. Countries that trade with
each other generally do not make war on each other, as both countries gain
economic benefits they do not want to jeopardize. China is a massive nuclear
power yet it does not seek military confrontation with the United States.
Trade is much more profitable. Also trade and friendship applies much more
effective persuasion to encourage better behavior, as does leading by
example. Alarmingly, tough new sanctions are under consideration that would
also punish Iran's trading partners, including China, Russia, and possibly
our NATO allies such as Germany.
Conversely, sanctions allow
regimes to blame their shortcomings on foreigners, thereby maintaining a hold
on power. They rarely even inconvenience elites in the target countries. They
simply provide a common enemy to rally the people against and undermine
internal dissent. Consider how well the embargo has worked against Cuba.
Fidel Castro and his regime may be annoyed by the inability to trade with
their neighbors just 90 miles away, but American businessmen also lose out in
the bargain. That means less jobs and less freedom at home.
We should be clear about this:
sanctions against Iran are definite steps toward a US attack. Already we see
US warships approaching the region, moving dangerously close to Syrian
waters. The tougher sanctions currently under consideration would disrupt
global trade and undermine the US economy, which in turn harms our national
security. Foreign companies or foreign subsidiaries of US companies would be
severely punished if they did not submit to the US trade embargo on Iran. We
must change our foreign policy to one of economic freedom and diplomacy. That
is the only way to promote peace and prosperity. This race to war against
Iran and Syria is both foolhardy and dangerous.