Featured analysis

Central bank digital currency evolution in 2023: From investigation to preparation

EconoGraphics Apr 17, 2025

Russia Sanctions Database: November 2024

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze

The Atlantic Council’s Russia Sanctions Database tracks the restrictive economic measures Western allies have placed on Russia and evaluates whether these measures are successful in achieving the stated objectives.
China East Asia
Central bank digital currency evolution in 2023: From investigation to preparation

Econographics Mar 14, 2025

What is strategic about the new digital assets reserve?

By JP Schnapper-Casteras

To many on Wall Street and Main Street, this executive order on a strategic bitcoin reserve may still seem more like political maneuvering than sober monetary policy.
Digital Currencies Digital Policy
Central bank digital currency evolution in 2023: From investigation to preparation

Sinographs Mar 12, 2025

China’s economic plans prioritize consumption—but only on paper

By Jeremy Mark

At last week’s meeting of the National People’s Congress, China declared consumption as the number one priority. But will the spending plans actually support consumers and businesses?
China Economy & Business

COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Econographics deep dives

Special sections that go inside the Chinese economy, the evolution of sanctions, and the future of money.

 

Sinographs

In-depth analysis of economic and financial trends in the Chinese economy.

Fintech frontlines

Research and analysis on the intersection of technology and policy developments in finance.

Global sanctions dashboard

Monthly analysis of global sanctions regimes—highlighting new listings, delistings, and the motivations behind these changes.

Latest analysis

Sinographs

Sep 18, 2024

Stabilizing the US-China trade conflict

By Andrea Wong

Both China and the US can still find negotiation space for positive-sum outcomes which advance their economic and national security interests.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Sep 12, 2024

It’s not too early to start grading Jerome Powell’s historic tenure

By Josh Lipsky and Benjamin Lenain

Jerome Powell’s legacy hinges on his bold monetary actions during crises and how effectively these interventions will be unwound in the future.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

Econographics

Sep 6, 2024

The problems with the IMF surcharge system

By Hung Tran

The IMF’s surcharge system is doing more harm than good for borrowing countries and its justifications are facing new questions.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Econographics

Aug 27, 2024

Going for gold: Does the dollar’s declining share in global reserves matter?

By Hung Tran

If gold—which has recently experienced a surge in purchases by many global central banks—is included in reserve asset portfolios, the share of the US dollar is smaller than what the IMF has highlighted.

Economy & Business International Financial Institutions

Sinographs

Aug 22, 2024

Why the next trade war with China may look very different from the last one

By Mrugank Bhusari

Far more countries share concerns over the impact of an expansion of Chinese exports. This time, they will likely target finished consumer goods over intermediary inputs.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Aug 14, 2024

Get ready for a volatile fall in the financial markets—but not necessarily a downturn

By Josh Lipsky, Alisha Chhangani

Between an election, the threat of conflict, and a slowing economy, there is likely to be more volatility in the months ahead. But volatility doesn’t mean a downturn—it just means there’s more uncertainty than usual. 

Economy & Business International Markets

Fintech Frontlines

Aug 12, 2024

Tech regulation requires balancing security, privacy, and usability 

By Karen Sowon, Giulia Fanti, JP Schnapper-Casteras

Good policy intentions can lead to unintended consequences when usability, privacy, and security are not balanced—policymakers must think like product designers to avoid these challenges.

Digital Policy East Africa

Econographics

Aug 8, 2024

What exactly is a strategic bitcoin reserve?

By Ananya Kumar

Bringing bitcoin into mainstream use is not reason enough to create a strategic bitcoin reserve. 

Digital Currencies Economy & Business
French National Assembly with Olympic statues

Econographics

Jul 26, 2024

What French economic policy may look like after the Olympics

By Charles Lichfield and Gustavo Romero

The snap parliamentary election in France produced no absolute majority, and negotiations on government formation have begun. As Macron’s centrists attempt to construct a broad coalition, what economic policies can they suggest to bring the center-left and center-right onside?

Economy & Business Elections

Sinographs

Jul 23, 2024

Key takeaways from China’s Third Plenum 2024

By Hung Tran

The communiqué of the Third Plenum of the CCP Central Committee lacks major policy initiatives to address the country’s near-term growth challenges.

China Economy & Business
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Content

World with currencies

Econographics

Nov 6, 2023

Central bank digital currency evolution in 2023: From investigation to preparation

By Alisha Chhangani

Explore CBDC evolution in 2023, including key developments from central banks and what is next for the digital euro.

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

Econographics

Nov 1, 2023

Russia Sanctions Database: November 2023

Explore featured insight part of the November 2023 edition of Atlantic Council's Russia Sanctions Database.

Russia Ukraine
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo, Sunday Oct. 15, 2023. Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via REUTERS

Econographics

Oct 30, 2023

Israel’s neighbors are in dire financial straits. Here’s what that could mean for the war in Gaza.

By Josh Lipsky

While past flashpoints posed challenges for Israel’s neighbors, they did not have to contend with the risk of recession or worse at the same time. That means that economic statecraft by the United States and its partners could be particularly effective in navigating the current crisis.

Economy & Business Israel

Econographics

Oct 27, 2023

The status of labor rights in US trade policy

By Uma Menon

US trade policy can advance labor rights globally through stronger enforcement mechanisms and deeper multilateral collaboration with international organizations.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Oct 26, 2023

Global Sanctions Dashboard: How Iran evades sanctions and finances terrorist organizations like Hamas

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze, Ryan Murphy, and Yulia Bychkovska

Iran’s financing of Hamas and other terrorist organizations; UAE’s role in facilitating Iran and Russia sanctions evasion; lifting of UN sanctions on Iran's ballistic missile program.

Economic Sanctions European Union

Econographics

Oct 24, 2023

Creditors are still not doing enough to relieve developing country debt: A tale of two confabs

By Vasuki Shastry and Jeremy Mark

The fragmentation on display at the IMF - WB Annual Meetings and the BRI Anniversary event doesn't bode well for deeply indebted developing countries.

Africa China

Econographics

Oct 20, 2023

Breaking down China and India’s race to represent the Global South

By Hung Tran

The divergences between them will define geopolitics.

Economy & Business G20

Econographics

Oct 5, 2023

By the numbers: Here’s how turmoil in Congress could impact US aid to Ukraine

By Yulia Bychkovska and Charles Lichfield

The US aid to Ukraine can continue to flow for the next few weeks but the recent events make the outlook for US aid more difficult.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva holds up a logo for the 2023 global policy agenda at the start of a news conference during the 2023 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, U.S., April 13, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

Econographics

Sep 19, 2023

How the IMF can make sovereign debt restructuring more effective

By Bruce Shen and Euel Kebebew

In light global debt crisis, the IMF plays crucial role in navigating complexities exacerbated by COVID-19, emphasizing transparency, incentives, and innovative financial tools for effective debt management.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Sep 18, 2023

How Germany’s security strategy incorporates economic resilience

By Hung Tran

The National Security Strategy represents a step forward for Germany, but highlights how difficult "integrated security" can be.

China Economy & Business
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