Featured analysis

Two Decades of Sovereign Debt

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
Two Decades of Sovereign Debt

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
Two Decades of Sovereign Debt

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

Mar 7, 2022

Global Sanctions Dashboard: Special Russia edition

By Julia Friedlander, Maia Nikoladze, Charles Lichfield, Ananya Kumar and Castellum.AI

Sanctioning Russian Central Bank, cutting Russia off SWIFT, and Russia’s options for sanction-proofing its economy.

Belarus Conflict

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
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Content

EconoGraphics

May 12, 2015

Two Decades of Sovereign Debt

By Global Business & Economics

Sovereign default is considered to be a rare event. But as the lessons of the past two decades show, they are far from extraordinary. According to the IMF, the main sovereign debt restructurings from the period spanning 1998 – 2010 totaled $117.6 billion. When Greece’s 2012 default is added to that sum, it means that […]

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

EconoGraphics

May 5, 2015

Creating the Digital Single Market

By Global Business & Economics Program

European E-Commerce is still largely confined within national borders.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

EconoGraphics

Apr 28, 2015

Do Sanctions Work After All?

By Global Business & Economics

International Relations scholars disagree about whether economic sanctions are an effective tool to coerce countries to follow a certain course of action.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

EconoGraphics

Apr 21, 2015

Exit, or Voice?

By Global Business & Economics

In March, the UK, Germany, Italy, and France decided to join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), shocking the Obama administration.

Brazil China

EconoGraphics

Apr 14, 2015

Who is Investing Abroad?

By Global Business & Economics

While the US still leads the world in outflowing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the emerging markets are catching up quickly. Chinese outflowing FDI, in particular has grown tremendously: since 2005, it increased more than 30-fold in 8 years from $5 billion to $166 billion. While initial Chinese foreign investments focused on natural resource industries, over time the investments have spread to diverse industries like agriculture, manufacturing, and professional services. BRIC FDIs are emerging as key growth drivers for low income countries, improving their business environment, building infrastructure, creating jobs, and adding much-needed revenue to government coffers.

China Russia

EconoGraphics

Apr 7, 2015

Is Europe still vulnerable to a Greek default?

By Global Business & Economics Program

Private banks throughout Europe have significantly reduced their exposure to Greek debt (bank, public, and non-bank private sector debt) over the last five years. After Greece came under market pressure and eventually obtained ECB and IMF financial assistance in 2010, most European banks started to rapidly reduce their exposure to Greece. For instance, between 2010 and 2014 French banks' holdings decreased from $63 billion to $2 billion.

Economy & Business Eurozone

EconoGraphics

Mar 31, 2015

The IMF’s Changing Role in Europe

By Global Business & Economics

The International Monetary Fund's purpose and scope of work have changed since its founding after World War II. Whereas at first the Fund aimed to maintain monetary and exchange-rate stability among its members who were primarily advanced economies, today it faces its first credible challenge to its status as the world's lender of last resort.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

EconoGraphics

Mar 24, 2015

How Much Does it Cost for Cubans to Access Information?

By Global Business & Economics

When President Obama announced his landmark policy shift towards Cuba, easing the 54-year-old embargo, one of the first companies to announce they would begin operating in Cuba was Netflix. The online video company's decision was surprising, if only because Cuba's internet is one of the slowest in the world.

Americas Cuba

EconoGraphics

Mar 17, 2015

Who Will Finance Public Debt?

By Global Business & Economics Program

Today, the cap on US government spending (or the "debt ceiling") is officially reinstated, and with it, the threat of another clash over the national debt. Policymakers will have a runway of just months before they must decide to lift the cap on borrowing or temporarily allow it to be raised

Brazil China

EconoGraphics

Mar 11, 2015

The Benefits of a Strong Dollar: Where Should You Go on Your Next Vacation?

By Global Business & Economics

There’s never been a better time to be a tourist—as long as you’re paying in dollars. Major currencies worldwide have plunged in value, meaning each US dollar buys more euros and renminbi today than it did one year ago.

Americas Economy & Business
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