[The U.S.] SHOUD AVOID economic sanctions against Russia. Examples:

• Sanctions against countries that restrict religious freedom.

• Sanctions against countries that trade with Iran.

• Sanctions against countries that permit abortion.

Questions for thought: Can American support for individual foreign policy objectives be reconciled with the broader American interest in a stable, prosperous Russian economy? Are economic sanctions ever a really good tool of foreign policy? When do US concerns with issues like religious freedom, nuclear proliferation, or abortion so important that they justify economic sanctions against Russia, which in turn may weaken Russian democracy and make matters even worse?