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Sanctions Relaxation and Conflict Resolution: Lessons from Past Sanctions Regimes

This report begins with a brief survey of the relationships between sanctions and conflict resolution. Next, elements of sanctions relief are identified in general terms, ranging on a continuum from initial confidence-building measures to full termination of all sanctions. An extensive list of different types of relief measures is identified, providing a range of policy options on easing existing sanctions measures, but multiple combinations of different relief measures are typically employed in practice. The report examines 11 cases of sanctions relaxation by the U.N., EU, and U.S. and groups them according to four different relaxation strategies