Sanctions as a Primary Tool
The United States has relied on sanctions for decades to apply pressure on adversaries.
1The Journal
Do Sanctions Still Work?
An analysis of the diminishing effectiveness of US economic pressure on global adversaries and new legislative responses.
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Do Sanctions Still Work?
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What to know before you press play.
Sophisticated Workarounds
Countries such as Iran and Russia have found increasingly sophisticated ways to circumvent sanctions.
2Diminishing Leverage
Washington's ability to force other governments to change through economic pressure is diminishing.
3New Legislative Action
Senator Richard Blumenthal discusses a new sanctions bill against Russia.
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“How do Iran and Russia specifically bypass sanctions?”
“What are the key provisions of the new Russia sanctions bill?”
“What other tools does the US use alongside sanctions?”
Background reading
The context behind the episode.
Context
The Evolution of Sanctions
Sanctions have been a cornerstone of US foreign policy for decades. However, the landscape is shifting as targeted nations adapt. Iran and Russia, in particular, have developed complex strategies to mitigate the impact of economic pressure, challenging the traditional efficacy of this tool.
12Questions
Questions to carry into the episode.
Why are sanctions becoming less effective?
Adversaries like Iran and Russia have found sophisticated ways to get around them.
2What is the current state of US economic pressure on adversaries?
Washington's ability to force change through economic pressure is diminishing.
3What new legislative measures are being discussed?
Senator Richard Blumenthal is discussing a new sanctions bill against Russia.
4Experts
Voices named in the source.
Sources and disclosure
Where this guide comes from.
This guide is based on the episode 'Do Sanctions Still Work?' from The Journal, published on 2026-07-22.
- Publisher show notes
The U.S. has leaned on sanctions for decades as a way to apply pressure on its adversaries.
- Publisher show notes
But countries like Iran and Russia have found increasingly sophisticated ways to get around those sanctions.
- Publisher show notes
WSJ’s Rory Jones explains why Washington’s ability to force other governments to change through economic pressure is diminishing.
- Publisher show notes
And Jessica Mendoza sits down with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D., CT) to talk about a new sanctions bill against Russia.
- Publisher show notes
Further Listening:
- Publisher show notes
- How a Year of Sanctions Is Impacting Russians
- Publisher show notes
- How Putin Has Planned For Sanctions
- Publisher show notes
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