Sanctions are a powerful tool used in international relations to:
* Punish a nation for its actions: This could be for human rights violations, aggression against another country, or other actions deemed unacceptable by the international community.
* Force a nation to change its behavior: Sanctions can be used to pressure a nation to negotiate, comply with international law, or stop certain activities.
* Support a particular cause: Sanctions can be used to express support for a particular group or movement within a targeted nation.
There are different types of sanctions, including:
* Economic sanctions: These restrict trade, financial transactions, or investments with the target country.
* Political sanctions: These may involve diplomatic boycotts, withdrawal of ambassadors, or suspension of international cooperation.
* Military sanctions: These involve limiting or stopping arms sales or other military cooperation.
While sanctions can be effective in achieving their goals, they can also have unintended consequences, such as harming the civilian population of the target country.