Hosni Obidi, a professor of international relations at the University of Geneva, said the U.S. leverages its international banking dominance to impose sanctions [1].
This critique highlights the intersection of global finance and geopolitics, suggesting that the infrastructure of international trade is being used as a tool for political coercion.
Obidi said the United States utilizes its control over the global banking system to curb opposition both within and outside its borders [1]. By controlling the channels through which money moves globally, the U.S. can effectively isolate targets and limit their ability to engage in international commerce.
The professor said this strategy is designed to strengthen the ability of the U.S. to implement punitive policies [1]. According to Obidi, this systemic control prevents opposing entities from mounting an effective reaction to these sanctions.
While the U.S. government typically frames sanctions as tools for national security and the promotion of human rights, Obidi's perspective suggests a broader goal of maintaining hegemony. He said the banking system acts as a mechanism for enforcing U.S. policy on a global scale [1].
This dynamic creates a situation where nations or organizations that disagree with U.S. foreign policy face the risk of being severed from the global financial grid. Such a move can lead to severe economic instability for the targeted party, further cementing the influence of the U.S. financial architecture.
“The U.S. leverages its international banking dominance to impose sanctions.”
This analysis suggests that the 'weaponization' of the US dollar and the SWIFT system allows the United States to project power without traditional military intervention. By controlling the financial gateways of the world, the U.S. can exert pressure on sovereign states, potentially driving those states to seek alternative financial systems to avoid dependence on American infrastructure.
