Sanctions serve as a tool of foreign policy by imposing restrictions on a state or entity to achieve specific political objectives. They can take various forms, including economic penalties, trade barriers, or travel bans. The primary goal of sanctions is to compel the targeted country to conform to international norms or to deter certain behaviors, such as human rights violations or aggressive military actions. Their effectiveness varies widely, as they can sometimes lead to desired changes, while other times they may harden resistance or negatively impact civilian populations rather than government leaders.