Economic sanctions are tools employed to affect political relations between countries by restricting trade, investment, or financial activities. These measures are designed to pressure a nation to modify its behavior without resorting to military action. Sanctions can lead to significant economic hardship for the target country, potentially resulting in changes in leadership or policy. However, sanctions may also have unintended consequences, such as harming civilian populations or creating animosity towards the sanctioning countries. Thus, their effectiveness and morality often spark debates in international relations regarding their long-term impact on diplomacy and conflict resolution.