ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the findings, point out areas in need of further research, and draws some policy implications. One can write almost a continuous history of American foreign policy in the twentieth century, it seems, by focusing on embargoes. As the system has deconcentrated and become more intractable and competitive, expanding dilemmas have confronted policymakers eager to apply new sanctions or tighten up the strategic embargo. Given US experience and capability, the embargo was a logical response to perceptions of Soviet aggression, and served to contribute to the long-term policy of containment. Structural change in the international system, with associated reductions in the embargo, affected how policymakers viewed "strategic" controls. A concern of policymakers was that repressive rule left unchecked would encourage communist revolution. More data collection and analysis are needed connecting structure with conflict, and in turn conflict with policy responses.
