Recently, a deal was reached to lift sanctions on Iran, but what does this mean for you and me? And should the US have put up greater resistance?
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What does the sanction deal mean for everyday people?
The sanction deal means greater financial security for the people of Iran, but what does it mean for US citizens? From a financial point of view, there may not be a noticeable difference. Iran is not a major trading force when it comes to the US. However, there may be political implications, which benefit people living in countries all over the world. Imposing sanctions can cause residents to feel isolated and victimized. In Iran, civil unrest is commonplace, and splinter groups are rife. As a consequence, lifting sanctions may contribute to a more peaceful landscape. Inclusion may boost togetherness. However, this is a highly simplified view of a very complex issue. The reality is that lifting sanctions on Iran won’t be sufficient to bring peace to the world.
Should the US have pushed for tougher sanctions?
If you read the work of Mark Dubowitz, you may question why the US appeared to roll over and lift sanctions on Iran. Mr. Dubowitz is of the opinion that lifting sanctions could have an adverse effect on global safety. At the end of the day, is this deal going to prevent the Iranians from developing nuclear weapons? There is always a lingering doubt that could they go back on their word. With less stringent monitoring, it’s also difficult to know what’s going on behind closed doors.
If you listen to Mr. Dubowitz’s arguments, you may think that sanctions, and heavy ones at that, are the only option. Economic sanctions could lead to the collapse of the Iranian currency. In this case, the only solution would be to bail the country out in return for a complete shutdown of the nuclear campaign. Going that little bit further could have sured up the deal, according to Dubowitz. With stringent sanctions in place, there is greater control of unpredictable nations like Iran. With deals on the table, some may fear that that control has been lost, or at least weakened.
With sanctions lifted, it’s not just the US that should be worried. Israel and Saudi Arabia are likely to feel the effects. Israel has feared the influence of Iran for years now. With sanctions in place, people and policy makers would have undoubtedly felt safer. Saudi Arabia is also an issue. These neighboring states don’t get on and it wouldn’t’ take a huge amount to stir up trouble and unrest. Give their history, even a minor spat could spiral quickly and uncontrollably, and this is where the danger lies.
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There are always two sides to every story. The sanction deal undoubtedly has repercussions for people in Iran and the US, but it also has global implications. There are benefits, but there may also be downsides. Whatever your beliefs, the future is uncertain. For many this is unnerving.
