Ron Paul: The Folly of Sanctions!

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, and 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 are 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 the building of 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 actually encourage them to seek nuclear weapons capabilities. We should be using diplomacy rather than using 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 confrontation with the United States.