Programs

At the intersection of economics, finance, and foreign policy, the GeoEconomics Center is a translation hub with the goal of helping shape a better global economic future.

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Featured Analysis

Lichfield quoted in the New York Times regarding capital controls’ implications for Russia’s future

Issue Brief Apr 28, 2025

Modernizing the tools of economic statecraft to meet the challenges of today

By Lesley Chavkin, Eitan Danon, Kimberly Donovan, Andrew Gallucci, and Caroline Hill

As the current administration revisits the functions and mechanics of government, near-term steps can be taken, under existing statutory authorities, to modernize how the United States uses its economic strength to combat national security threats and promote American interests.
Economy & Business Financial Regulation
Lichfield quoted in the New York Times regarding capital controls’ implications for Russia’s future

Fast Thinking Apr 22, 2025

Is the global economy headed for a reset, recession, or both?

By Atlantic Council

The International Monetary Fund has just released its latest World Economic Outlook. Atlantic Council experts dig into the details.
Economy & Business International Financial Institutions
Lichfield quoted in the New York Times regarding capital controls’ implications for Russia’s future

Fast Thinking Apr 10, 2025

What to expect as Trump’s trade war zeroes in on China

By Atlantic Council

On April 9, US President Donald Trump announced that he would suspend many of his “liberation day” import tariffs—but he raised the tariff on China to 145 percent.
China Economy & Business
Lichfield quoted in the New York Times regarding capital controls’ implications for Russia’s future

New Atlanticist Apr 7, 2025

The IMF is a good deal for the US. Here’s how Trump can help make it even more effective.

By Elizabeth Shortino

The institution provides the United States a significant source of economic leverage, helps prevent financial crises, and serves as a counterweight to China’s influence.
Economy & Business International Financial Institutions
Lichfield quoted in the New York Times regarding capital controls’ implications for Russia’s future

New Atlanticist Mar 31, 2025

Dispatch from Hong Kong: How the ‘geoeconomic city’ is weathering global headwinds

By Josh Lipsky, Ananya Kumar

From Chinese and US economic growth to stablecoin regulations, a recent visit to Hong Kong offered important insights for two Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center experts.
China Digital Currencies
Lichfield quoted in the New York Times regarding capital controls’ implications for Russia’s future

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

In-Depth Research

In the News Nov 15, 2024

Avoiding Entanglement: G20 Responses in a Taiwan Crisis report cited by the Wall Street Journal on how China would respond to trade restrictions from the West

Read the full article here
Brazil China
Lichfield quoted in the New York Times regarding capital controls’ implications for Russia’s future

Report Oct 22, 2024

The economic and social costs of the war in Gaza

By Perrihan Al-Riffai

After a year of war, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and neighboring countries need a permanent ceasefire. But with development gains erased, billions of dollars in infrastructure damaged, and skyrocketing unemployment, the Middle East also urgently needs a solid reconstruction plan.
Conflict Israel
Lichfield quoted in the New York Times regarding capital controls’ implications for Russia’s future

Report Oct 9, 2024

End of the line: The cost of faltering reforms

By Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center and Rhodium Group

The China Pathfinder project examines whether China’s economy is converging or diverging with the world’s leading open market economies.
China Digital Policy
Lichfield quoted in the New York Times regarding capital controls’ implications for Russia’s future

Issue Brief Sep 20, 2024

Toward a financial inclusion agenda for the global majority

By Nicole Goldin

Policymakers, investors, and innovators must advance a new financial inclusion agenda designed for the global majority.
Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform
Lichfield quoted in the New York Times regarding capital controls’ implications for Russia’s future

Report Sep 9, 2024

Sharing the post carbon economy means building a resilient EV supply chain

By Sarah Bauerle Danzman

In this report Sarah Bauerle Danzman advances the policy discussion by compiling trade, investment, and EV industrial policy data across the G20, and offers six recommendations to the G20 to build a resilient EV supply chain.
Brazil China
Lichfield quoted in the New York Times regarding capital controls’ implications for Russia’s future

Report Jun 7, 2024

Reconstructing Ukraine at war: The journey to prosperity starts now

By John E. Herbst, Olga Khakova, Charles Lichfield

Rebuilding the Ukrainian economy after Russia’s full-scale invasion will be a monumental task. Reconstruction can’t wait for peace and must be a well-coordinated, inclusive process.
Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Read the latest from the GeoEconomics Center

Econographics

May 23, 2025

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

By Lize de Kruijf

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

New Atlanticist

May 22, 2025

Gold’s geopolitical comeback: How physical and digital gold can be used to evade US sanctions

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze

The rise of gold-backed currencies that circumvent the US banking system could create a massive blind spot for US sanctions enforcement efforts.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

May 21, 2025

Europe is striking back at Russia’s shadow fleet. Here’s what to know about the latest EU and UK sanctions.

By Atlantic Council experts

This week, Brussels and London unveiled new sanctions against Russia and the fleet of oil tankers and other vessels covertly trading in Russian oil. Atlantic Council experts assess the moves.

Conflict Economic Sanctions
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Content

In the News

Apr 4, 2022

Lichfield quoted in the New York Times regarding capital controls’ implications for Russia’s future

Read the full article here.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

In the News

Apr 3, 2022

Global Sanctions Dashboard and graphic showing Russian foreign reserve assets cited in the New York Times

Read the full piece here.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

In the News

Apr 2, 2022

Friedlander cited in the Economist on illegal oil shipments as a means of sanctions evasion

Read the full article here.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

In the News

Apr 1, 2022

Friedlander interviewed in Voice of America (VOA) on Western sanctions on Russia

Listen to the full interview here.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

Issue Brief

Apr 1, 2022

Foreign direct investment, infrastructure, and supply chain resiliency: A new nexus for US industrial strategy

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

Introduction                                      The United States’ aging infrastructure is currently unable to support the kind of economic growth and productivity it needs to successfully compete with other advanced and emerging economies. This includes the present state of nontraditional infrastructure, such as the semiconductor industry; and recent shortages have highlighted US dependency on foreign producers. Inbound FDI stock […]

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Apr 1, 2022

Policy memo: Four ways to send money and aid to Afghanistan

By Julia Friedlander, Mrugank Bhusari

Now that the international community has pledged billions for Afghanistan, it is time to consider creative financial tools that can effectively deliver these funds to those who need them most.

Afghanistan Economic Sanctions

In the News

Apr 1, 2022

O’Toole quoted in Bloomberg on the limited options for bondholders with cash stuck in Russia

Read the full article here.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

In the News

Mar 31, 2022

Farrand joins Undispatch to discuss recent civilian unrest in Algeria and Algeria’s political future

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 31, 2022

Lichfield quoted in NBC News on how countries approach neutrality

Read the full article here.

Conflict Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 31, 2022

Kumar piece on Biden’s executive order on digital assets cited in Computer World on cross-border CBDC projects

Read the full article here

Digital Currencies Digital Policy
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Hussein Al Baya

Partner, Wildcard

Millennium Leadership Program

Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business

Fellow

Dimitar Bechev

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

The Balkans Security & Defense

Fellow

Emilie Bel

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Abdoul Salam Bello

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

Fellow

Jochai Ben-Avie

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Americas Digital Policy

Fellow

Arjun Bisen

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Australia Digital Policy
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Events

Public Event Tue, May 27, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson on Britain in an enduring transatlantic relationship
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense
Public Event Tue, June 3, 2025 • 1:00 pm ET

A conversation with Rep. French Hill on stablecoins and the future of money
Digital Currencies Financial Regulation
Flagship Event Tue, September 30, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

2025 Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics

The Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics is an annual conference convening economic and financial leaders from both sides of the Atlantic.
Digital Policy Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia European Union