Featured analysis

There is no alternative to US Treasuries

Econographics May 12, 2025

Multilateralism under pressure: Takeaways from the 2025 IMF Spring Meetings

By Bart Piasecki

The 2025 IMF Spring Meetings unfolded against a backdrop of mounting geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and rising doubts about the future of multilateral cooperation. As global leaders gathered in Washington, DC, unease loomed large—fueled by ambiguous signals from the U.S., growing divergence among major economies, and a sobering downward revision of global growth forecasts. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva delivered a candid diagnosis of global risks while advocating for urgent trade, fiscal, and structural reforms. Meanwhile, a high-profile intervention by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reignited debates over the IMF’s evolving mandate, highlighting a deeper ideological contest over the role of international financial institutions in a fracturing world order.
International Financial Institutions Macroeconomics
There is no alternative to US Treasuries

Econographics May 8, 2025

Pope Leo XIV’s electors represented Catholics’ changing economic distribution

By Israel Rosales

While the direction Pope Leo XIV will take the Church is unclear at this early stage, he’s unlikely to reverse Pope Francis’s push to elevate voices from the Global South.
Economy & Business International Financial Institutions
There is no alternative to US Treasuries

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

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

Econographics

Jul 18, 2024

The Bretton Woods institutions need revitalizing. Luckily, they are no strangers to reform.

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

The changing nature of the global economy is forcing these institutions to take a renewed look at their governance structure and mandates. This is not the first time they have had to do so.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

Econographics

Jul 8, 2024

Who’s at 2 percent? Look how NATO allies have increased their defense spending since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

By Clara Falkenek

As NATO gathers for its summit in Washington, 23 of 32 allies now meet the 2 percent GDP defense spending target, highlighting a collective effort to strengthen the Alliance and support Ukraine.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia
French snap election

Econographics

Jul 3, 2024

How are markets reacting to the French snap election?

By Sophia Busch, Charles Lichfield

The results of the first round of the French snap election led to diverging reactions in bond yields and stock prices.

Elections Eurozone

Sinographs

Jun 26, 2024

China and the US both want to ‘friendshore’ in Vietnam

By Stanley Zhengxi Wu

As a “connector economy” bridging the supply chains between United States and China, Vietnam is being courted by both powers. How can the US pull Vietnam closer to its side?

China East Asia

Econographics

Jun 20, 2024

Is the end of the petrodollar near? 

By Hung Tran

Saudi Arabia approaches the petrodollar remains an important harbinger of the financial future to come.

Economy & Business International Markets

Econographics

Jun 17, 2024

India outpaces the rest of the G20 in gold purchases

By Josh Lipsky, Alisha Chhangani

In the last four months alone, India has added over twenty-four metric tons to its reserves—more than what the country had purchased in all of 2023.

Economy & Business India

Fintech Frontlines

Jun 14, 2024

Designing a blueprint for open, free and trustworthy digital economies

By Carole House

US digital policy must be aimed at improving national security, defending human freedom, dignity, and economic growth while ensuring necessary accountability for the integrity of the technological bedrock.

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Econographics

Jun 13, 2024

Low employment: The Achilles’ heel of Modi’s economic model

By Hung Tran

The challenge to Modi in the next five years is to carry out a balancing act between maintaining the recent growth momentum and making it more inclusive by providing regular employment.

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

AfricaSource

Jun 3, 2024

In a Congolese mining case, Biden can secure a win for US sanctions policy in Africa

By Benjamin Mossberg

Easing sanctions on Dan Gertler gives Washington the opportunity to show that its sanctions policy toward Africa can be effective.

Africa Corruption
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Content

Sunset at the Treasury Department

Econographics

May 23, 2023

There is no alternative to US Treasuries

By Josh Lipsky

In the wake of a US default, investors searching for safe assets may have no viable alternative to US Treasuries.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

May 19, 2023

Can FedNow bring the US closer to real-time payments?

By Piret Loone

This year, the US will launch its FedNow instant payment network. But even after FedNow launches, the US will still have a ways to go before consumers can access instantaneous digital payments.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Econographics

May 15, 2023

The US debt ceiling stalemate threatens money market funds—and financial stability

By Hung Tran

Money markets would be the first to react to a debt ceiling breach, heightening market turmoil at the wrong time and helping to raise the odds of a severe recession.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Econographics

May 10, 2023

What is the G7 still exporting to Russia? 

By Niels Graham

One year into the Russia's invasion G7 nations continue to export nearly $5B a month to Moscow. A new proposal by the US at the G7 could greatly reduce this.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Econographics

May 8, 2023

Japan’s monetary trilemma is a warning to the world

By Mark Siegel

High inflation, high levels of debt, and uncertain financial stability - Washington, London, Brussels, Frankfurt and beyond have much to learn from Tokyo's experience.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Econographics

May 1, 2023

Russia Sanctions Database: May 2023

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

Russia Ukraine

Econographics

Apr 27, 2023

The root causes of geopolitical fragmentation

By Hung Tran

Geoeconomic fragmentation is on the rise. Policymakers need to address the root causes: inequality left in the wake of globalization, and the crisis of trust between major countries.

Americas China

Econographics

Apr 26, 2023

Why emerging markets are stocking up on gold

By Phillip Meng

Financial stability concerns, sanctions, and inflation contributed to the largest net purchases of gold in over seventy years last year—raising questions about its potential role in de-dollarization.

Africa Americas

Econographics

Apr 24, 2023

Practice makes perfect: What China wants from its digital currency in 2023

By Ananya Kumar

The e-CNY network has expanded over the last year, and China's goals have only become clearer. Domestically, the People’s Bank of China is still in test-and-learn mode, globally, China is more focused on setting defining international standards.

China Cybersecurity

Econographics

Apr 20, 2023

The US is relying more on China for pharmaceuticals — and vice versa 

By Niels Graham

US China trade of pharmaceutical and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is rapidly increasing. Supply chain mapping will be key to risk management

China Economy & Business
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