Intelligence Squared The Sunday Debate: Sanctions Won’t Stop Putin
Mar 20, 2022
Bill Browder, leader of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign and author, discusses targeted sanctions against human rights abusers. Simon Jenkins, a seasoned author and columnist, counters by questioning the overall effectiveness of these sanctions. They dive into how sanctions impact both the oligarchs and ordinary Russians, debating their moral implications and potential to incite internal dissent. The discussion incorporates comparisons with historical cases and explores how sanctions fit into broader international relations.
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Sanctions' Effect on Governments
- Sanctions strengthen, not weaken, governments because they increase control and repression.
- Contact between states, soft pressure, and diplomacy are more effective than isolation.
Impact of Sanctions on Oligarchs
- Oligarchs are impacted by sanctions, which disrupt their lives and businesses.
- Sanctions create a "reign of terror" among other oligarchs, who fear being targeted next.
Putin's Power Consolidation
- Putin consolidated power by arresting Mikhail Khodorkovsky and demanding 50% from other oligarchs.
- Putin holds his wealth through oligarchs to avoid blackmail, making them a target for sanctions.
