Featured analysis

A Report Card on China’s Central Bank Digital Currency: the e-CNY

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
A Report Card on China’s Central Bank Digital Currency: the e-CNY

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
A Report Card on China’s Central Bank Digital Currency: the e-CNY

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

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

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
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Content

Econographics

Mar 1, 2022

A Report Card on China’s Central Bank Digital Currency: the e-CNY

By Ananya Kumar

China's CBDC, the e-CNY debuted at the world stage during the Olympic Games. Here's what we know so far.

China Cybersecurity

Econographics

Feb 28, 2022

What about inflation and the Russia-Ukraine crisis?

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

The Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is rattling the global economy and markets.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business
Dollar Plaza Accord

Econographics

Feb 18, 2022

Russia and China: Partners in Dedollarization

By Mrugank Bhusari, Maia Nikoladze

Russia has virtually stopped receiving Dollars for its exports to China. Does the US have reason to be concerned?

China Economic Sanctions

Econographics

Feb 17, 2022

The path forward on the US-China technology competition

By Clete R. Willems

2022 will be a key inflection point for trade and technology policy. Congress will decide how to proceed with China competitiveness legislation, the Administration will be finalizing the its Indo-Pacific trade agenda, and both will assess concerns about the size and activity of large US technology platforms. Democrats and Republicans should depoliticize these issues and consider their policy choices through the lens of strengthening US economic and technological competitiveness with China.

China Defense Technologies

Econographics

Feb 9, 2022

US fiscal policy must be ready for the return of secular stagnation

By Jeff Goldstein

In the years ahead the United States will likely move past current inflation challenges and will once again be battling secular stagnation.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

EconoGraphics

Feb 6, 2022

Global Sanctions Dashboard: Groundhog edition

By Julia Friedlander, Michael Albanese, Maia Nikoladze and Castellum.AI

Who sanctions Russia and why, Colombia’s narcotics trafficking, Iran’s balancing act, and Chinese military sanctions.

Belarus China

Econographics

Feb 3, 2022

Foreign Direct Product Rule: Is Russia the next Huawei?

By Annie Froehlich

In response to Russia activity in Ukraine the US is considering deploying a Russia-focused Foreign Direct Product Rule (FDPR). If such a rule is implemented, it could cripple Russia's ability to source critical items produced from US-origin technology.

Defense Technologies Economic Sanctions

Econographics

Jan 31, 2022

Ukraine and Dollar Weaponization

By George Pearkes

America has responded to Russian aggression with an unconventional weapon: the dollar.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Econographics

Jan 31, 2022

Strengthening ties: China and the GCC

By Inbar Pe'er, Niels Graham and Mrugank Bhusari

As China continues expanding its trade ties across the world while the US focuses on its domestic economy, the US will find itself without a seat at the table when the norms for the multilateral trading system are set.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Jan 28, 2022

eNaira: Same Naira, more possibilities for innovation

By Naomi Aladekoba

Nigeria's eNaira aims to improve the availability and access to central bank money, support a resilient payments system, encourage financial inclusion, and reduce the cost of processing cash.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy
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