Most of us acquired humility about our expertise in the course of being a parent, which provides a valuable perspective in assessing sanctions. Behavior modification is a viable approach that, in the parenting role, is far preferable to corporal punishment. Whatever the anger or provocation, to strike a child signals a failure in the process, a loss of judgment and restraint. I note the bewildering array of economic sanctions in current law and say again that my remarks cannot do justice to the details of this policy debate. Beyond the clear insistence that sanctions are preferable as an alternative to use of military force, let me state four additional basic points, and then discuss them briefly as time may allow.
Economic sanctions can be appropriate, effective, and well-chosen instruments of national policy.
Each case for imposition of sanctions must be carefully analyzed and a decision reached on the specific facts and overall context. There is no one size fits all approach no simple formula to apply in all cases. Food, medicine, and supplies essential to the lives of ordinary citizens must be allowed to flow through even the most stringent embargo. Nor should such humanitarian exemptions be nullified in their implementation by rigid regulations or administrative stalling. Further, no sanctions regime should remain unchanged if it can be shown to cause grave damage to the civilian population in the targeted country.