The Efficacy of Sanctions

Iran is boasting that they’ve developed advanced weaponry in spite of sanctions designed to prevent that,

Iran has mastered the most advanced armaments and military technologies despite sanctions by the West banning arm imports to the Islamic Republic, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said at an annual military parade.
…
“Some highbrow powers believed that by imposing sanctions banning armament deliveries to Iran our army would be weakened. But young Iranian scientists have been able to meet the military needs of our armed forces in all areas,” Ahmadinejad said on the occasion of Iran’s National Army Day.
…
The parade that followed Ahmadinejad’s speech was held near the Tomb of Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, and displayed Iran’s modern weaponry, including missiles of various range, mobile air defense systems, drone planes, combat aircraft, the armor and electronic warfare.

Well, that worked well. Although, it’s not surprising, considering how many countries were working under the table with Iraq during its own pre-war sanctions.

So what’s the next step?

The UN Security Council voted unanimously March 24 to impose new sanctions against the Islamic Republic for its refusal to halt uranium enrichment, which the country resumed in January 2006 for what it claims to be a civilian nuclear power generating program.

The new UN Security Council resolution was passed following Tehran’s refusal to comply with the previous resolution adopted December 23, 2006.

The old sanctions didn’t work, so we’re imposing more sanctions. One worthless piece of paper following a trail of others, none of which actually accomplish anything. Welcome to what passes for “action” in the 21st century.

Technorati Tags: Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, United Nations, sanctions

Filed under: Foreign Policy • Iran • Middle East

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!