The E.U. wants to toughen sanctions on Belarus. How likely is that to work?

In general, experts say, sanctions are more effective at achieving their desired aims when they are multilateral, targeted and attached to specific, realistic goals. As an example of a “success” story, Peksen pointed to the Obama administration’s use of sanctions to get Iran to agree to negotiate the nuclear deal. The Trump administration’s barrage of sanctions aimed at regime change, on the other hand, served only to inflame tensions between Iran and the United States, he said.