Iran getting by with black-market gas
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 12:04AM
Thomas P.M. Barnett in Citation Post, Iran

WSJ story that suggests the 4th round of sanctions won't be as "crippling" as the administration suggests, citing a "shadowy network of Middle East gasoline suppliers is already undermining" our efforts.

By definition, a Gap region has sophisticated black markets.  It's a primary reason why sanctions don't work, even as they drive up the prices, which Tehran can then blame on the West.

But we continue with sanctions because they make us feel good, and they appeal to our obey-the-rules mentality, which is good, of course, but kind of meaningless when applied to rogue regimes inside the Gap.

Article originally appeared on Thomas P.M. Barnett (https://thomaspmbarnett.com/).
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