“Last week, the Trump administration unveiled what it billed as an ‘Economic D-Day’ aimed at forcing Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and return to the negotiating table,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“But the experience of Western sanctions and economic pressure on autocracies such as Cuba, North Korea, Venezuela and Syria shows the challenges facing Washington in trying to bend Tehran to its will. Indeed, the strongmen ruling such countries have historically used a mix of violence, economic adaptation and political suppression that enables them to withstand economic pain for years, if not decades.”

“Autocratic countries adapt in various ways. Sanctions typically push activity underground, creating flourishing black markets for goods, services and even people. Dictators also use outside pressure to rally their populations, especially among elites.”

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio brushed off various reports about CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s furtive visit to Russia last week, stating in a Fox News Radio episode aired Wednesday that the spy agency’s leader was there solely to open a dialogue with Russian officials,” NOTUS reports.