A Test of Wills on Sanctions

Photo: faithie/Adobe Stock

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Part of the Global Forecast 2015

For all the costs that Western sanctions and lower oil prices are inflicting on the Russian economy, the Russian flag still flies over Crimea, Moscow remains undeterred, and the September 5, 2014, ceasefire in Ukraine has failed to end the fighting in Eastern Ukraine. In response, Russia is using its own form of economic and energy warfare as both a shield and a sword. This all suggests that there are limits to the West’s ability to deter Russian aggression.

Juan C. Zarate

Juan C. Zarate

Senior Adviser (Non-resident), Transnational Threats Project and Human Rights Initiative