Lowy Institute

The French Central Bank recently completed the transfer of its gold reserves from New York to Paris.

“The French Central Bank recently completed the transfer of its gold reserves from New York to Paris.”

The European Payment Initiative (EPI) plans to develop the German digital wallet and insta-person-to-person payments system WERO into a European-wide alternative to the US Visa and Mastercard by 2027.

“The European Payment Initiative (EPI) plans to develop the German digital wallet and insta-person-to-person payments system WERO into a European-wide alternative to the US Visa and Mastercard by 2027.”

US partners are unlikely to put faith in an American electorate that has twice delivered a president unwilling to consult allies or to respect international agreements.

“US partners are unlikely to put faith in an American electorate that has twice delivered a president unwilling to consult allies or to respect international agreements.”

The United States, under Donald Trump, appears unconcerned that its actions are souring its international approval.

“The United States, under Trump, appears unconcerned that its actions are souring its international approval.”

A global Gallup poll conducted in 2025 showed China more popular than the United States.

“A global Gallup poll conducted in 2025 showed China more popular than the United States.”

Disapproval of US leadership reached an all-time high of 48%, most notably in US allies.

“Disapproval of US leadership reached an all-time high of 48%, most notably in US allies.”

From gold reserves to arms contracts, Europe is systematically reducing its exposure to US capriciousness.

“From gold reserves to arms contracts, Europe is systematically reducing its exposure to US capriciousness.”

For both practical and ethical reasons, sporting institutions should think carefully about selective bans before implementing them.

“For both practical and ethical reasons, sporting institutions should think carefully about selective bans before implementing them.”

It blurs the line between condemning regimes and mistreating people.

“It blurs the line between condemning regimes and mistreating people.”

It risks counterproductive political effects domestically and internally.

“risks counterproductive political effects domestically and internally”

It punishes the wrong actors.

“It punishes the wrong actors”

Restricting their symbolic expression abroad imposes costs on individuals who are neither responsible for nor empowered to change their governments’ actions.

“Restricting their symbolic expression abroad imposes costs on individuals who are neither responsible for nor empowered to change their governments’ actions.”

The current practice of selective flag bans does not meet these criteria.

“The current practice of selective flag bans does not meet these criteria.”

Sport has historically functioned as a rare space of cross-national social contact, particularly for people from closed or semi-closed societies.

“Sport has historically functioned as a rare space of cross-national social contact, particularly for people from closed or semi-closed societies.”

Responsibility is assigned on the basis of nationality rather than agency.

“Responsibility is assigned on the basis of nationality rather than agency.”

Policies that stigmatise national identity rather than state behaviour risk reinforcing nationalist narratives instead of weakening them.

“Policies that stigmatise national identity rather than state behaviour risk reinforcing nationalist narratives instead of weakening them.”

They may alienate precisely those individuals – diasporic communities, internationally mobile citizens, or politically ambivalent observers – who might otherwise be open to criticism of authoritarian regimes.

“They may alienate precisely those individuals – diasporic communities, internationally mobile citizens, or politically ambivalent observers – who might otherwise be open to criticism of authoritarian regimes.”

From a liberal perspective, this resembles collective punishment.

“From a liberal perspective, this resembles collective punishment.”

Under pressure from governments, sponsors, and public opinion, sporting institutions have moved to restrict symbols associated with the war.

“Under pressure from governments, sponsors, and public opinion, sporting institutions have moved to restrict symbols associated with the war.”

Many states represented at the Australian Open – indeed, most major powers – have violated the territorial integrity of other countries, conducted prolonged military interventions, or overseen serious abuses of civilian populations.

“Many states represented at the Australian Open – indeed, most major powers – have violated the territorial integrity of other countries, conducted prolonged military interventions, or overseen serious abuses of civilian populations.”