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US Iran Sanctions Could SpOIL the Global Economy

Econographics Aug 22, 2025

Trump’s challenges to the Fed’s independence loom over Jackson Hole Symposium

By Alisha Chhangani

As Trump tests the limits of what he can do, the credibility of the Fed—and by extension, global financial stability—is increasingly at risk.
Economy & Business International Markets
US Iran Sanctions Could SpOIL the Global Economy

Econographics Jul 17, 2025

Charting a strategic path for Syria’s postwar reconstruction

By Kimberly Donovan, Jonathan Panikoff, Lize de Kruijf, Manal Fatima

As Syria emerges from over a decade of conflict, easing sanctions by the United States, the European Union (EU), and other European partners is an important step toward reintegrating Syria into the global economy. Yet, for a country that has been economically isolated for over fourteen years, lifting sanctions is only the beginning.
Economic Sanctions Economy & Business
US Iran Sanctions Could SpOIL the Global Economy

Fintech Frontlines Jul 8, 2025

Stablecoins are trending, but what frictions and risks are getting overlooked?

By Ashley Lannquist

Stablecoin usage is complex for consumers, and large-scale adoption could introduce new challenges for financial stability and regulatory oversight.
Digital Currencies 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 2, 2022

The global slowdown: Why Sub-Saharan Africa is so important

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou and Naomi Aladekoba

The global community, with the leadership of the IMF and the World Bank, needs to focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. While the population in countries that have moved into the high-income and upper middle-income categories are now aging rapidly, Sub-Saharan Africa is home to one of the world’s youngest population structure. In addition to lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty in this region, sustained and inclusive growth over the next two decades in Sub-Saharan Africa could contribute to the growth in the global economy.

Africa
Economy & Business

Econographics

Jul 28, 2022

Keeping everyone in the club: How sanctions complicate the Bretton Woods Institutions’ job

By Mrugank Bhusari, Maia Nikoladze, Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

With a voting majority at the Bretton Woods Institutions, the G7 and EU can collectively ask the institutions to comply with their sanctions. This is complicating the IMF and World Bank’s functions.

Economic Sanctions
Economy & Business

Econographics

Jul 28, 2022

When does an economy enter recession?

By Charles Lichfield, Sophia Busch

US GDP growth was negative for two consecutive quarters, fulfilling textbook definitions of a recession. Regardless of definition, this period of contraction is different from previous periods with a much tighter labor market.

Economy & Business
International Markets

Econographics

Jul 26, 2022

Slow growth exacerbates China’s financial stability risks

By Hung Tran

China’s slowing growth, if left unchecked, will threaten its small- and medium-sized banks. This “Achilles’ heel” of its banking system will be further weakened by spreading problems in the property sector.

China
Economy & Business

Econographics

Jul 14, 2022

The Euro at parity with the USD: Implications for the global economy

By Hung Tran

The difficult challenges facing the Euro Area and actions taken to calm inflation in the US make it difficult for the EA and other countries to undertake their own policy measures to counter the looming stagflation and recession threats.

Economy & Business
Europe & Eurasia

Econographics

Jul 13, 2022

Ukraine needs more international support

By Hung Tran and Charles Dallara

As the war in Ukraine becomes severely protracted, the international community by advancing Ukraine’s proposed roadmap to end the war and clarifying its economic policies in response to Russian aggression.

Economic Sanctions
Economy & Business

Econographics

Jul 13, 2022

Emerging markets need new engines of growth

By Niels Graham

External tailwinds such as trade, interest rates, and commodity prices propelled emerging market growth throughout the 2000s. However, as the global macroeconomic backdrop shifts these conditions are increasingly becoming headwind risks.

Economy & Business
Macroeconomics

EconoGraphics

Jun 30, 2022

Global Sanctions Dashboard: Russia default and China secondary sanctions

By Charles Lichfield, Maia Nikoladze and Castellum.AI

Russia’s default on sovereign debt; EU oil ban; China secondary sanctions threat; Middle Eastern illicit networks

China
East Asia

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Jun 29, 2022

Trouble for Emerging Markets could spell trouble for all

By Jeff Goldstein

With emerging markets in a difficult position, they should be encouraged to use capital controls in some circumstances, develop more effective debt resolution programs, and acquire funds from advanced economies and international financial institutions.

Economy & Business
Financial Regulation

Econographics

Jun 17, 2022

Where do the “fence-sitters” sit on trade with Russia?

By Josh Lipsky, Sophia Busch

At least in terms of trade, seemingly neutral countries aren’t enabling Russia as much as their public positions might suggest.

China
Economic Sanctions
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Content

EconoGraphics

Jul 19, 2018

US Iran Sanctions Could SpOIL the Global Economy

By Ole Moehr

The Trump Administration’s “maximum pressure” approach against Iran to reduce Iranian crude oil exports to zero as soon as possible is expected to rattle markets and could undermine the credibility and effectiveness of US sanctions. This edition of the EconoGraphic outlines how re-imposed US sanctions against Iran will affect the global oil market, the price of oil, US consumers, and the American economy.

China
Economic Sanctions

EconoGraphics

Jun 22, 2018

There’s a New Tariff in Town: Implications of Trump’s Steel Tariffs

By Ole Moehr

Economists consider tariffs a tax on consumers. Case in point, President Trump’s former chief economic advisor Gary Cohn. He recently warned that the administration’s twenty-five percent tariff on steel and ten percent tariff on aluminum combined with threatened duties on Chinese goods could cancel out the 2017 tax cut. This edition of the EconoGraphic provides an overview of how the Trump Administration’s steel tariffs might impact the US economy.

Economy & Business
Trade and tariffs

EconoGraphics

Jun 4, 2018

GDPR’s Quest for World Domination

By Ole Moehr

On May 25, the European Union’s (EU) sweeping new data privacy regulation came into force. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) provides EU residents with more control and protection of their data.

Brazil
Economy & Business

EconoGraphics

May 18, 2018

US Sanctions’ Global Impact – A Case Study of RUSAL’s Supply Chain

By Ole Moehr

On April 6, 2018, the Trump Administration imposed stiff economic sanctions on 37 Russian oligarchs, oligarch-owned companies, Russian government officials, and state-owned companies.

Economic Sanctions
Economy & Business

EconoGraphics

Apr 12, 2018

Africa Embraces the Promise of Free Trade

By Ole Moehr, Zachary Coles, and Alexatrini Tsiknia

Africa Embraces the Promise of Free Trade

Africa
Economic Sanctions

EconoGraphics

Mar 20, 2018

Venezuela’s Cryptocurrency: Should OFAC Be Petrofied?

By Ole Moehr, Zachary Coles, and Alexatrini Tsiknia

Venezuela's Cryptocurrency: Should OFAC be Petrofied? The short answer is no.

Economic Sanctions
Economy & Business

EconoGraphics

Feb 26, 2018

Are Italians giving the establishment the boot?

By Alexatrini Tsiknia and Ole Moehr

Italians go to the polls on March 4th to elect a new government. Under a new electoral system, the outcome is uncertain. The Global Business and Economics program looks at some key economic indicators that could influence the election.

Economy & Business
European Union

EconoGraphics

Feb 6, 2018

Secondary Sanctions: A First Glance

By Ole Moehr

This edition of our EconoGraphic blog explains the difference between primary and secondary sanctions, outlines how secondary sanctions work, and uses a case study to demonstrate how the United States employs secondary sanctions in the real economy.

China
Economic Sanctions

EconoGraphics

Jan 22, 2018

The Irish Border Question

By Ole Moehr

The future of the Irish border is one of the key sticking points in the ongoing Brexit negotiations between the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK).

Economy & Business
European Union

EconoGraphics

Dec 22, 2017

Parties Supporting Independence Win Slim Majority, But Catalonia’s Complex Stalemate Continues

By Michael Farquharson & Alvaro Morales Salto-Weis

The outcome of yesterday’s regional elections in Catalonia reflects the electorate’s deep polarization on the issue of regional independence.

Economy & Business
Southern & Southeastern Europe
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