Comment by rjzzleep
5 years ago
In the case of Iran all the sanctions have done, was further embolster the hardliners in government. And since there is no carrot left to give the hardliners also get to say that any act of moderation clearly didn't work. I'd say society is at a breaking point but at what cost? It's unlikely that the country will ever go back to trading with the west, China and Russia now hold a firm grip on everything.
I wouldn't worry about "ever going back" to trading with the West: as they say, "money talks".
National animosity will remain and it will be a political tool that can be easily put to use, but as long as there's money to be gained to improve life for your local population, trades will start happening.