Sanctions are often viewed as a powerful tool for influencing global policy, but their widespread and sometimes harmful consequences raise critical questions. This panel will examine whether sanctions truly contribute to global stability or if they instead trigger economic collapse, humanitarian crises, and political unrest. From crippling economies to exacerbating poverty and limiting access to essential goods like medicine and food, sanctions frequently impact the most vulnerable populations. Are these measures effectively holding adversaries accountable and promoting security, or are they intensifying suffering and deepening global divides?

MODERATOR:

Jonathan Guyer: Foreign-policy reporter and editor in New York and previously worked as a Senior Writer for Vox and was managing editor of The American Prospect.

PANELISTS:

Delaney Simon: Senior Analyst at the International Crisis Group with a focus on U.S. foreign policy in conflict zones and previously worked for the U.N. in Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Yemen.

Rachel Ziemba: Geo-economic and country risk expert, focusing on coercive economic statecraft policies. Ziemba serves as a Senior Advisor at Horizon Engage, Adjunct Senior Fellow at CNAS, and runs Ziemba Insights.

Richard Nephew: Senior Research Scholar and Adjunct Professor at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Politics.