An arms embargo is a restriction or a set of sanctions that applies either solely to weaponry or also to "dual-use technology." An arms embargo may serve one or more purposes: * to signal disapproval of the behavior of a certain actor * to maintain neutrality in an ongoing conflict * as a peace mechanism that is part of a peace process to resolve an armed conflict * to limit the ability of an actor to inflict violence on others * to weaken a country's military capabilities before a foreign intervention