International sanctions affect state behavior by imposing economic and political pressure, often aimed at promoting compliance with international laws or norms. Targeted sanctions can isolate regimes, impacting their economies and limiting their ability to operate on the global stage. In response, sanctioned states may alter their domestic or foreign policies to alleviate these pressures, which can lead to negotiations or conflict escalation. While sanctions aim to deter undesirable actions, their effectiveness can vary, and unintended consequences may arise, including humanitarian crises for the affected populations.