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

O’Toole participated in a panel discussion the efficacy and success of sanction with the Institute of Peace & Diplomacy and the Bourse & Baazar Foundation

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 Crimes & Illicit Trade
O’Toole participated in a panel discussion the efficacy and success of sanction with the Institute of Peace & Diplomacy and the Bourse & Baazar Foundation

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
O’Toole participated in a panel discussion the efficacy and success of sanction with the Institute of Peace & Diplomacy and the Bourse & Baazar Foundation

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
O’Toole participated in a panel discussion the efficacy and success of sanction with the Institute of Peace & Diplomacy and the Bourse & Baazar Foundation

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
O’Toole participated in a panel discussion the efficacy and success of sanction with the Institute of Peace & Diplomacy and the Bourse & Baazar Foundation

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
O’Toole participated in a panel discussion the efficacy and success of sanction with the Institute of Peace & Diplomacy and the Bourse & Baazar Foundation

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
O’Toole participated in a panel discussion the efficacy and success of sanction with the Institute of Peace & Diplomacy and the Bourse & Baazar Foundation

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
O’Toole participated in a panel discussion the efficacy and success of sanction with the Institute of Peace & Diplomacy and the Bourse & Baazar Foundation

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
O’Toole participated in a panel discussion the efficacy and success of sanction with the Institute of Peace & Diplomacy and the Bourse & Baazar Foundation

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
O’Toole participated in a panel discussion the efficacy and success of sanction with the Institute of Peace & Diplomacy and the Bourse & Baazar Foundation

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
O’Toole participated in a panel discussion the efficacy and success of sanction with the Institute of Peace & Diplomacy and the Bourse & Baazar Foundation

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

Jun 6, 2025

The search for safe assets

By Hung Tran

The deterioration of the US fiscal outlook has put international investors, especially foreign central banks, in a quandary. There is no good alternative to US Treasuries as safe reserve assets.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jun 6, 2025

How Japanese economic statecraft has shifted from promotion to protection

By Charles Lichfield

Japan is in a geopolitically challenging neighborhood and is witnessing the basic tenets of its foreign policy—from alignment with the United States to fostering a rules-based environment—come under unprecedented stress.

East Asia Economic Sanctions

New Atlanticist

Jun 6, 2025

Even as courts step in, Trump still has plenty of tariff options. US trading partners should intensify negotiations.

By Brian Janovitz

Section 301 may entail more work for the White House, but it could provide a relatively straightforward pathway to broad-based tariffs.

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy
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Content

In the News

Oct 20, 2021

O’Toole participated in a panel discussion the efficacy and success of sanction with the Institute of Peace & Diplomacy and the Bourse & Baazar Foundation

By Brian O’Toole

Watch the full webinar here.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

In the News

Oct 20, 2021

Roberts featured in the Wire China on Evergrande

On October 17, Dexter Tiff Roberts was featured in The Wire China on Evergrande’s Xu Jiayin, who has stepped down from his position as chairman of the company in the face of its demise. “Xu is very flashy,” Roberts stated. Noting Xu’s nickname of “Belt Brother” due to the luxurious belt Xu wore to a Chinese […]

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Oct 20, 2021

US leaders laid down solid and sensible sanctions policy. Now they need to follow through.

By Daniel Fried, Brian O’Toole

The review is smart in addressing the true root causes of sanctions misuse without indulging in clichés such as that sanctions are overused or never work.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Oct 20, 2021

Let them eat communiqués: Rich countries’ pandemic inaction

By Jeremy Mark and Vasuki Shastry

Struggling countries came away with more questions than answers from last week's IMF and World Bank meetings.

Economy & Business G20

In the News

Oct 20, 2021

Chhibber wrote an opinion piece for The Economic Times: Litmus test passed, how the government can ‘Air India’ the rest 
Economy & Business India

In the News

Oct 19, 2021

Friedlander participated in a panel discussion about the geography of sanction evasion at DC Fintech week

By Julia Friedlander

Learn more here.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

In the News

Oct 19, 2021

Burwell joins Brussels Sprouts podcast on the Trade and Technology Council

Distinguished fellow Frances G. Burwell joins the “Brussels Sprouts” podcast by the Center for New American Security for a discussion on transatlantic tech following the first meeting of the US-EU Trade and Technology Council and areas of cooperation between the United States and the European Union on digital policy.

Digital Policy Economy & Business

empowerME Conversations

Oct 19, 2021

Rejuvenating retail

By Atlantic Council

In Season 2, Episode 4 of empowerME Conversations podcast, host and Atlantic Council empowerME Director Amjad Ahmad speaks with Majid Al Futtaim CEO Alain Bejjani about the future of retail in the Middle East, consumer desires for more modern and fulfilling experiences, and policies that will promote talent from the inside and economic growth.

Economy & Business

In the News

Oct 19, 2021

Rahmani joins a panel discussion at Milken Institute’s Global Conference on Global Overview: Charting a New Course

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Economy & Business

Event Recap

Oct 18, 2021

New opportunities for MENA women to plug into global commerce

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative held a workshop on “Women in the global supply chain: The importance of increasing women's access.”

Economy & Business Entrepreneurship
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Experts

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Kipkorir Koskei

2025 European Leadership Accelerator participant

Millennium Leadership Program

Africa Energy Markets & Governance

Fellow

Richard Hurowitz

Nonresident senior fellow

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Amina Mohamed

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Hany Ghanem

Nonresident senior fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Americas Arabic

Fellow

Nik Foster

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Energy & Environment

Fellow

Itai Melchior

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Artificial Intelligence Economy & Business
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Events

Online Event Tue, June 10, 2025 • 9:30 am ET

Marine energy: Harnessing the power of the Atlantic
Africa Economy & Business Energy Markets & Governance Renewables & Advanced Energy
Online Event Thu, June 12, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Why the UN’s Internet Governance Forum still matters twenty years on
Digital Policy Internet Internet of Things Technology & Innovation
Public Event Thu, June 12, 2025 • 9:30 am ET

Beyond critical minerals: Capitalizing on the DRC’s vast opportunities
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo Economy & Business Energy & Environment
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