I like Ron Paul, but he might be missing a point. Sanctions are often an attempt to correct bad behavior.
Like the Japanese, and the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Shpere. They were invading their way across the Pacific and Asia, getting materials for an expanding military. Their govt was being directed by a group of military and economic hawks.
We sanctioned them to slow down their buildup, and yes we went to war anyways. Had we not sanctioned them, they would have been in better military and strategic shape, and we would have gone to war anyways, because that's what they wanted. They were being led by warmongers.
