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.

Featured analysis

How Does Greece’s Recovery Compare to Other IMF Bailouts?

Econographics Feb 10, 2026

China’s warning on US Treasuries—and why its timing matters

By Jeremy Mark, Josh Lipsky

Beijing has joined the conversation on the dollar. It was leaked this week that Chinese regulators have been urging domestic financial institutions to cut back on US Treasuries, and this timing is no coincidence.
China Dollar Dominance
How Does Greece’s Recovery Compare to Other IMF Bailouts?

Econographics Feb 4, 2026

Understanding the vibe shift on the dollar

By Daniel McDowell, Bart Piasecki, Jessie Yin

Gold prices surged to record highs last week, driven by trade tensions, tariffs, and dollar uncertainty. For some, the rally signals rising skepticism about the greenback’s stability—even as policymakers insist the US remains committed to a strong dollar.
Dollar Dominance Economy & Business
How Does Greece’s Recovery Compare to Other IMF Bailouts?

Econographics Jan 22, 2026

When will Wall Street’s tolerance for uncertainty run out?

By Jessie Yin, Josh Lipsky

In a decade of geoeconomic shocks, few events have truly shaken investor confidence. But Wall Street may be too complacent to political volatility.
Economy & Business Macroeconomics

Latest analysis

Econographics

May 27, 2025

Dispatch from London: Engaging Trump without alienating the rest

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Josh Lipsky</span>, <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Charles Lichfield</span>

The GeoEconomics team traveled across the pond for a series of meetings and events to determine if the recent US-UK trade deal could be a template for other countries seeking accords with the United States.

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

Econographics

May 23, 2025

Can the EU leverage economic pressure to broker a Gaza cease-fire?

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Lize de Kruijf</span>

As diplomatic efforts falter, attention is turning to economic statecraft—the strategic use of trade and economic leverage to influence state behavior. The European Union (EU) and United States are Israel’s largest and second-largest trading partners, and any economic pressure they apply could have severe consequences for Israel’s economy.

Conflict Economy & Business

Econographics

May 16, 2025

The next 120 days of predictably volatile trade policy

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Barbara C. Matthews</span>

The understandable relief associated with de-escalating the tariff war will soon fade as we enter a long, uncertain summer of tariff pauses and major negotiations. Take a look at some convenings that might be important.

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

AfricaSource

May 15, 2025

African governments should rethink their approach to combating money laundering and terrorist financing

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Benjamin Mossberg</span>

African countries can bolster financial inclusion and tap economic growth opportunities—while preventing the abuse of the global financial system by nefarious actors.

Africa Digital Currencies

EconoGraphics

May 13, 2025

Basel III endgame: The specter of global regulatory fragmentation

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Hung Tran</span>

Diverging timelines for Basel III implementation are fragmenting global financial regulation. As major economies delay or dilute reforms, coordinated oversight erodes—posing renewed risks to international financial stability.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Econographics

May 12, 2025

Multilateralism under pressure: Takeaways from the 2025 IMF Spring Meetings

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Bart Piasecki</span>

The 2025 IMF Spring Meetings unfolded against a backdrop of mounting geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and rising doubts about the future of multilateral cooperation. Here are the key insights.

International Financial Institutions Macroeconomics

Econographics

May 8, 2025

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

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert" >Israel Rosales</span>

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

Econographics

Apr 30, 2025

US-EU sanctions divergence would spell trouble for multinational companies

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Jesse Sucher</span>

The fracturing of traditional alliances carries significant consequences for companies facing multijurisdictional compliance obligations, meaning an already complex situation will become more chaotic.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Econographics

Apr 21, 2025

Fast payments in action: Emerging lessons from Brazil and India

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert" >Polina Kempinsky</span>

These lessons are shaping a framework governments can use to evaluate their need for central bank-led immediate payment systems, their potential structure, organizational features, and the trade-offs involved.

Brazil Digital Currencies

EconoGraphics

Apr 17, 2025

Russia Sanctions Database: April 2025

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert" >Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze, Lize de Kruijf, and Nazima Tursun</span>

Please note, this is the April 2025 edition of Atlantic Council’s Russia Sanctions Database. After Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Western partners imposed unprecedented financial sanctions and export controls against Russia. These measures aim to achieve three objectives: 1. Significantly reduce Russia’s revenues from commodities exports;2. Cripple Russia’s military capability and […]

Economy & Business European Union
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EconoGraphics

Jun 23, 2015

How Does Greece’s Recovery Compare to Other IMF Bailouts?

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Global Business and Economics</span>

As showdown talks over Greece take place in Europe this week, a quick examination of the recent history of bailouts is valuable.

Economy & Business Eurozone

EconoGraphics

Jun 16, 2015

Does ISDS Tip the Scales in Favor of Investors?

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Global Business and Economics</span>

Looking at over 400 cases that have been decided through 2014, the rate of success for US and EU investors is 30% and 34%, respectively. Foreign states win against US claimants 42% of the time, and 36% of the time against EU-based firms, with the remainder being settled.

Economy & Business European Union

EconoGraphics

Jun 9, 2015

Where Do Trillion-Dollar Asset Managers Hail From?

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Global Business and Economics</span>

Of the 16 investment firms in the world that hold more than $1 trillion in assets, the US leads with 12 representatives, including well-known firms like BlackRock, Vanguard Group, and the asset management arms of Goldman Sachs and Bank of New York Mellon.

Economy & Business France

EconoGraphics

Jun 2, 2015

How big is the opportunity to increase US exports in the Transpacific Partnership?

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Global Business & Economics</span>

Data from 2014 shows that while American exports to the 11 other TPP nations totaled more than half a trillion dollars in absolute terms, there remains considerable room for improvement in relative terms

Americas Australia

EconoGraphics

May 26, 2015

Who Will Finance Ukraine?

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Global Business & Economics Program </span>

Ukraine's economic stability is uncertain as the conflict with Russia endures. Alongside the negative impacts to growth, exports, and investment, the level of Ukraine's debts are especially worrisome.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

EconoGraphics

May 20, 2015

Who’s Buying European Companies?

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Global Business & Economics</span>

Who is purchasing European companies? Looking at the five biggest foreign acquisitions of European corporates since 2011 shows that the US are the biggest buyers by a considerable margin, with the China, Hong Kong, Brazil, and Japan following behind.

Brazil China

EconoGraphics

May 12, 2015

Two Decades of Sovereign Debt

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Global Business & Economics</span>

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 <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Global Business & Economics Program </span>

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

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

EconoGraphics

Apr 28, 2015

Do Sanctions Work After All?

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Global Business & Economics</span>

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

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

EconoGraphics

Apr 21, 2015

Exit, or Voice?

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Global Business & Economics</span>

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
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