Russia ‘canceled’: Is this an effective new way of waging war?
Since Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Western countries have moved with unprecedented speed to impose economic sanctions, including a U.S. ban on Russian oil and gas imports announced Tuesday.
At the same time, hundreds of companies, from Apple to Volkswagen, have piled on in a boycott campaign not seen since apartheid South Africa. FedEx suspended deliveries in Russia. Royal Caribbean canceled its cruises. McDonald’s closed its nearly 850 locations.
More than 30 sports federations have blocked Russian athletes from competing internationally, just as some were poised to win major titles. An outraged Fédération Internationale Féline even banned Russian-owned entries in its cat shows. And a global army of volunteer hackers has responded to Ukraine’s call for help, pledging to attack Russian interests.
It all amounts to what some are perhaps flippantly calling a geopolitical “cancellation” of Russia. But the effects so far have been significant. The ruble
