Sanctions have significant effects on the economy and political environment of targeted countries, particularly when imposed by powerful nations like the United States. These economic measures can create substantial challenges for the affected state and heavily impact the daily lives of its people. However, questions arise about the effectiveness of these sanctions in achieving their intended goals, such as prompting changes in behavior among government leaders. The book "How Sanctions Work" examines the case of Iran, which holds the title of the most sanctioned nation globally.

Through comprehensive sanctions, the aim is often to incite political change or diminish the ruling authority's control. Yet, after forty years, the situation in Iran suggests a different outcome. Instead of weakening the government, these sanctions have fortified the Iranian state, led to increased poverty among its citizens, heightened state repression, and intensified military hostility toward the United States and its allies. Rather than serving as a peaceful alternative to conflict, sanctions appear to foster conditions that may lead to war. "How Sanctions Work" emphasizes the importance of truly understanding the mechanisms and impacts of sanctions, revealing that their effects can be detrimental and unintended.