German Institute for Global and Area Studies | Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien

Sanctions in International Politics

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine once again raises the question of sanctions’ effectiveness. Economic sanctions are a popular foreign policy tool for addressing a wide range of international issues, including armed conflict, human rights violations, and terrorism.

Contact

Current Research

Countries and Regions

Houssein Al Malla

Doctoral Researcher

[email protected]

International Sanctions
Foreign Policy Analysis
Political Psychology
Leadership Trait Analysis
International Security

Sub-Saharan Africa
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Lebanon
Iran

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Hana Attia

Research Fellow / Juniorprofessorin

T. +49 (0) 40 42825-581 [email protected]

Economic statecraft
Peace and conflict
Global security
Foreign policy
Middle East

Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Dr. Julia Grauvogel

Senior Research Fellow / Research Team Spokesperson

T. +49 (40) 42825-566 [email protected]

International sanctions
Persistence and change of authoritarian regimes
Legitimation of authoritarian regimes

Simbabwe
Burundi

Prof. Dr. Christian von Soest

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Policy Exchange and Berlin Office

T. +49 (30) 25040-986 / +49 (40) 42825-590 [email protected]

International sanctions and interventions
Authoritarian regimes
Legitimation of political regimes
Foreign policy and development policy

Southern Africa and East Africa
South Africa
Botswana
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Kenya

GIGA Insights | 12/02/2026

US-Blockade von Öllieferungen nach Kuba: GIGA-Experte Bert Hoffmann warnt vor humanitärer Krise

Die USA lassen kein Öl mehr nach Kuba. Doch ohne Öllieferungen stürzt das Land in eine existenzielle Krise. Die sozialistische Regierung wird gezwungen sein, mit den USA zu verhandeln. GIGA-Experte Prof. Dr. Bert Hoffmann war vor Ort und schildert seine Eindrücke sowie die politischen Hintergründe.

Research | 14/10/2025

GIGA-Forschende bei „Leibniz im Bundestag“: Austausch mit Abgeordneten

Am 13. und 14. Oktober 2025 boten GIGA-Wissenschaftler:innen im Rahmen von „Leibniz im Bundestag“ Einzelgespräche für Bundestagsabgeordnete zu aktuellen außenpolitischen Themen an. Parlamentsmitglieder aus allen Fraktionen machten davon Gebrauch.

In Brief | 02/06/2025

Book a Scientist – Your Questions to the Scientific Community

Why are democracies under pressure worldwide? How does the Chinese scientific community view international relations? How do sanctions work? Ask our experts your questions at “Book a Scientist” on 3 June.

Spotlight on... | 30/05/2024

“Spotlight on...” New Doctoral Researcher Cecilia Natalie Strom

Cecilia Natalie Strom joined the GIGA as a Research Fellow at the Institute for African Affairs in October 2023. She is working in a project on Individual Sanctions Targeting (INSA) with Christian von Soest. The working title of her dissertation is “Individual Targeted Sanctions Reconsidered: The Impact of Individual sanctions on elite networks and conflict intensity.” She holds a master’s in Peace and Conflict Research from the Uppsala University. Learn more about Cecilia in this interview.

Press Release | 10/10/2023

Sanctions – New Book on Their Usefulness for International Politics

The effectiveness of sanctions remains controversial. In his new book, Christian von Soest takes up this debate. He analyses the use of the instrument in international politics and offers guidelines and recommendations for Europe and Germany regarding the imposition of such punitive measures in the future.

GIGA Insights | 12/02/2026

US-Blockade von Öllieferungen nach Kuba: GIGA-Experte Bert Hoffmann warnt vor humanitärer Krise

Spotlight on... | 30/05/2024

“Spotlight on...” New Doctoral Researcher Cecilia Natalie Strom

Press Release | 10/10/2023

Sanctions – New Book on Their Usefulness for International Politics

Research Project | 01/04/2026 - 31/03/2031

Ending External Interventions: Success, Failure and Exit Dilemmas

A record number of armed conflicts puts the lives of millions at stake. The majority of these conflicts have involved external interventions to foster peace and security, but they are heavily contested and often occur without long-term exit strategies. The project thus investigates the ending of external interventions into armed conflict. It focuses on sanctions, peacekeeping missions and military operations to study exit dilemmas and post-exit legacies related to these different types of intervention.
Leibniz Association, 2026-2031

Dr. Julia Grauvogel

Senior Research Fellow / Research Team Spokesperson

Research Project | 01/06/2023 - 31/12/2026

Targeting: How the USA and EU Use Individual Sanctions

Individual sanctions have become a go-to instrument with which Western powers confront challenges to international peace and security. Shaping the trend of individualizing accountability, the USA and the EU as the main bilateral global sanction senders target individuals and entities to hold them accountable for the instigation of armed conflict, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, or the violation of human rights. INSA seeks to systematically analyze and compare the listing decisions of the USA and the EU.
Deutsche Stiftung Friedensforschung (DSF), 2023-2026

Prof. Dr. Christian von Soest

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Policy Exchange and Berlin Office

Thies Niemeier

Research Fellow

Research Project | 01/01/2022 - 30/09/2024

Sanctions Termination in Times of Crises: Unpacking the Role of External Shocks

In March 2020, the UN Secretary-General called for the easing of sanctions against Iran in response to COVID-19. Hence, external shocks are potentially related to sanctions termination. Yet, the effect of different types of external shocks such as pandemics, natural disasters, and economic crises on the (gradual) removal of sanctions has not been systematically studied. This project examines when and how external shocks affect sanctions termination through a nested research design combining new data collection, statistical analyses, and two case studies.
DFG, 2022-2024

Dr. Julia Grauvogel

Senior Research Fellow / Research Team Spokesperson

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Hana Attia

Research Fellow / Juniorprofessorin

GIGA Focus Middle East | 5/2025

Iran in the Aftermath of the Twelve-Day War

On 13 June 2025, Israel launched a 12-day war against Iran, two days before the sixth round of US–Iran nuclear talks were due to begin in Oman. Analysis is provided of how the war has transformed Iranian politics domestically, regionally, and internationally.

Ass. Prof. Dr. Eric Lob

Diba Mirzaei

Hamid Talebian

GIGA Focus Middle East | 3/2025

What Lies Ahead for the New German Government in the Middle East

As conflicts reshape the MENA region, the new German government must balance diplomacy, security, and economics. From Syria to the Gulf, explored are Germany’s strategic options on leveraging EU cooperation, managing authoritarian shifts, and driving energy transitions for long-term stability.

Houssein Al Malla

Doctoral Researcher

Schriftenreihe: Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung | Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung | 12/2024

Sanktionen: Mächtige Waffe oder hilfloses Manöver?

„Sanktionen“ stellt fundiert, verständlich und anschaulich die Möglichkeiten und Fallstricke dieses zentralen Machtinstruments der internationalen Politik im 21. Jahrhundert vor und gibt einen Blick in die Zukunft: Wie werden Sanktionen künftig eingesetzt? Das Buch stellt Maßstäbe vor, die Europa und Deutschland bei der Verhängung ihrer Strafmaßnahmen in Zukunft leiten sollten.

Prof. Dr. Christian von Soest

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Policy Exchange and Berlin Office

GIGA Focus Latin America | 6/2024

Brazil G20 Summit 2024: The Global South Takes Centre Stage

The G20 summit in Brazil will take place at a crossroads in the global power dynamic. The traditional dominance of the rich nations is being challenged by a more united Global South, while diplomatic bridges need to be built to address pressing economic, political, and environmental issues.

Dr. Tomas Costa de Azevedo Marques

Research Fellow

Dr. Nátaly Guilmo

Technische Universität Berlin

Foreign Policy Analysis | 09/2024

The Currency Constraint: Explaining the Selective Enforcement of U.S. Financial Sanctions

Sanctions enforcement is often selective as senders face a trade-off between effective coercion in the present and the ability to use coercion in the future. Using the example of US financial sanctions, we show that enforcement should be greater when the US dollar is strong relative to other settlement mechanisms.

Ass. Prof. Dr. Bryan Early

Dr. Julia Grauvogel

Katja B. Kleinberg

GIGA Talk | 21/11/2024

The Future of Sanctions after the US Elections

After the elections in the United States, uncertainty surrounds the future of sanctions and economic coercion in global security. In this GIGA Talk, experts will discuss the prospects for continued transatlantic collaboration, the evolving design of sanctions, and steps to bolster the international legitimacy of these tools.

Book Presentation and Discussion | 17/01/2024

Sanktionen: Mächtige Waffe oder hilfloses Manöver?

Sanktionen bestimmen die Weltpolitik und sind gleichzeitig hochumstritten. Dieses Mittel westlicher Außenpolitik ist Gegenstand des neuen Buchs „Sanktionen: Mächtige Waffe oder hilfloses Manöver?“ von Christian von Soest. Wir möchten seine zentralen Argumente mit dem Publikum und unserem Panel diskutieren.

GIGA Talk | 01/06/2023

Are Sanctions Against Russia Working? European and US Perspectives, and the Way Forward

Following the invasion of Ukraine, the EU and US imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia. The Western measures have curtailed industrial production and damaged the financial sector in Russia, but they have not (yet) forced Putin to withdraw from Ukraine. How do experts see the current situation one year into the war?

GIGA Talk | 25/06/2020

No Future for the JCPOA? The Iranian Nuclear File and Proliferation Risk in the Middle East

The Iranian nuclear agreement (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action/JCPOA) has been in limbo since the US withdrawal from it. Iran continues to abide by its main stipulations but has signalled its unwillingness to do so in the long run. What are the long-term implications of the US maximum pressure strategy and what are likely scenarios after the US presidential election in November?

Book Presentation and Discussion | 17/01/2024

Sanktionen: Mächtige Waffe oder hilfloses Manöver?

GIGA Talk | 01/06/2023

Are Sanctions Against Russia Working? European and US Perspectives, and the Way Forward

GIGA Talk | 25/06/2020

No Future for the JCPOA? The Iranian Nuclear File and Proliferation Risk in the Middle East

Neue Zürcher Zeitung | Quote | 07/02/2026

Zwei Scheinfirmen aus Lübeck sollen Rüstungsgüter an Russland geschmuggelt haben. Es ist der bislang grösste Fall, den deutsche Ermittler aufgedeckt haben

Fünf Verdächtige sollen russische Waffenhersteller trotz Sanktionen mit Industriegütern versorgt haben. Sie waren offenbar Teil eines kriminellen Netzwerks, das die Kriegsmaschinerie des Kremls am Laufen hält.

Prof. Dr. Christian von Soest

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Policy Exchange and Berlin Office

ZDFheute live | Interview | 02/02/2026

Wie Sanktionen umgangen werden

Ermittler zerschlagen in Norddeutschland ein Netzwerk, dass Russland trotz Sanktionen mit tausenden Lieferungen versorgt haben soll. ZDFheute live analysiert, wie das möglich war.

Prof. Dr. Christian von Soest

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Policy Exchange and Berlin Office

DIE ZEIT | Interview | 21/01/2026

Sanktionen gegen Iran: "Wir nennen das den Wagenburg-Effekt"

Prof. Dr. Christian von Soest ist Experte für Sanktionen. Hier erklärt er, wie sie im Iran bisher wirken – und unter welchen Umständen sie erfolgreich sein können.

Prof. Dr. Christian von Soest

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Policy Exchange and Berlin Office

Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom | 29/09/2025

The Promises and Pitfalls of International Sanctions

Organiser: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Dr. Julia Grauvogel (Speaker)

Sanctions are one oft the most popular foreign policy tools, yet the selective use, inconsistent enforcement, and lack of exit strategies can undermine their effectiveness. The presentation addresses the promises and pitfalls of international sanctions.

Dr. Julia Grauvogel

Senior Research Fellow / Research Team Spokesperson

Conference | 18/06/2025 - 20/06/2025

The geopolitics of FDI in China in the context of US-China rivalry

Conference of the Association of Heterodox Economics, King’s College London, London Dr. Tomas Costa de Azevedo Marques (Speaker)

The neo-mercantilist approach has gained more traction in the Global North, while China is trying to support globalisation, openness and integration. This article aims to gain a deeper understanding of the effect of the new geopolitical context of US–China rivalry on multinational investment in China.

Dr. Tomas Costa de Azevedo Marques

Research Fellow

Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom | 10/04/2025

EU’s Engagement With Emerging Powers: Opportunities and Caveats

Organiser: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Dr. Tomas Costa de Azevedo Marques (Speaker), Dr. Nele Fabian (Moderator)

The panel will focus on the EU's relations with emerging powers, with particular emphasis on Brazil and South Africa, in the context of climate change, green technology and the digital sphere. These countries and issue areas are considered of high potential for engagement.