EU Energy Restrictions on Russia Are Mostly “Sanctions Theatre”

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“The more this looks like the (U.S.) administration is using pages from the Iranian financial sanctions playbook, the greater the likelihood that market players will voluntarily cut their business ties to stay ahead of potential penalties,” Mark Dubowitz of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies told the Wall Street Journal (“Recent history suggests tougher Russia sanctions are needed” July 30).

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies has been a prominent advocate for sanctions on Iran, and now Russia.

“Sanctions are as much about psychology as legalities,” Dubowitz told the Journal.

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