I am South African, and although I only experienced the justified sanctions on the country as a child, as an adult I realise both how santioning the country sent a message globally about what was unacceptable AND the role that international sanctions played in ending apartheid.

Of couse, SA wasn’t a world player like the US, and the level of inter-connectedness was different in the 90s, but that doesn’t stop me wondering what the US has to do for Europe to say, “No.” Is it time for Europe to act rather than react, and actively choose not to do business with countries that violate international law and human rights? What can we do to disentangle ourselves from this values-crushing mess?