Economy & Business

The US must lead with allies or risk becoming a bystander in a reshaped international financial system. As the global economy struggles to recover from COVID-19 and rising powers like China assert economic influence, this mission is critical to the long-term prosperity of the United States and its allies. Strong collaboration between the public and private sectors can help revitalize open markets for the twenty-first century.

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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 interviewed by NHK Japan

New Atlanticist Aug 11, 2025

The US-EU trade agreement is not set in stone. This presents pitfalls and opportunities.

By Charles Lichfield

The trade and tariff deal recently struck in Scotland has several important elements that are yet to be determined.
Economy & Business European Union
O’Toole interviewed by NHK Japan

New Atlanticist Aug 4, 2025

Trump’s review of US membership in the IMF offers a rare chance for reform

By Martin Mühleisen

The institution needs its major shareholders aligned to tackle new challenges, and it deserves a management team qualified to lead it on this new path.
Economy & Business International Financial Institutions
O’Toole interviewed by NHK Japan

New Atlanticist Aug 1, 2025

How Donald Trump remade global trade

By Josh Lipsky

The US president has smashed the system, but the speed and scale of the smashing owes to a system that had been growing increasingly brittle for years. 
Economy & Business Macroeconomics
O’Toole interviewed by NHK Japan

Econographics Jul 31, 2025

Beijing extends and pretends to deal with its mountain of local government debt

By Jeremy Mark

Beijing’s three-year local debt restructuring plan fails to actually address the trillions of dollars weighing on local governments and will only cause greater problems down the road.
China Economy & Business
O’Toole interviewed by NHK Japan

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 Macroeconomics
O’Toole interviewed by NHK Japan

New Atlanticist Jul 17, 2025

What Ancient Greece can teach the United States about defending against cyber attacks

By Carole House

Applying lessons from the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC to present-day cyber warfare is surprisingly instructive.
Cybersecurity Iran

In-Depth Research

O’Toole interviewed by NHK Japan

Issue Brief 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 Economy & Business
O’Toole interviewed by NHK Japan

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 interviewed by NHK Japan

Issue Brief Mar 3, 2025

Financing the future: Unlocking private capital for global infrastructure and climate goals

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou, Nisha Narayanan, Hung Tran

MDBs and international financial institutions alone cannot bridge the climate and development financing gaps.
Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Read the latest from the GeoEconomics Center

Econographics

Mar 27, 2026

The Iran war’s economic fallout won’t stop at oil—agriculture and aluminum are next

By Eduardo Gomez Horta and Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

The Iran war’s impact isn’t limited to oil. Fertilizer shortages now threaten spring corn planting, while aluminum markets are strained—signaling broader disruptions to food prices, industry, and global supply chains.

Economy & Business

Econographics

Mar 20, 2026

In the Iran crisis, the IMF’s voice is urgently needed

By Martin Mühleisen

As the Iran crisis chokes the Strait of Hormuz and rattles global energy markets, the IMF has offered little more than cautious statements. The institution must develop real-time, scenario-driven analysis.

Economy & Business Iran
Man-standing-next-to-airplane-on-carrier

Podcast

Mar 18, 2026

Does the Iran war signal the end of economic statecraft?

By the GeoEconomics Center

From tariffs to sanctions, the Trump administration relied heavily on the geoeconomic toolkit in 2025. With the war in Iran and capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, has President Donald Trump lost his patience with these tools?

Economy & Business Iran
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Content

In the News

Feb 28, 2022

O’Toole interviewed by NHK Japan

Watch the interview here

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Feb 28, 2022

Lipsky interviewed by NPR on sanctioning the Russian Central Bank

Listen to the interview here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Feb 28, 2022

Friendlander interviewed by War on the Rocks to discuss the objectives and scope sanctions imposed on Russia

Listen to the full interview here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Feb 28, 2022

Ashford at CFR: U.S.-Russia Relations—What’s at Stake?

By Atlantic Council

On February 28, Emma Ashford attended a CFR event as a panelist to discuss the broader implications of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. “Ukraine and Russia have an extremely long history together. They have often been part of the same politik, they have not always been the same country. Many in Moscow (and I think Vladimir […]

Conflict Eastern Europe

In the News

Feb 28, 2022

Friendlander interviewed by Lawfare on how the scope and effectiveness of sanctions against Russia

Listen to the podcast here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Feb 28, 2022

Manning and Burrows in Foreign Policy: The US can’t afford a double Cold War

By Atlantic Council

On March 28, Mathew Burrows and Robert Manning published an article in Foreign Policy making the case that the United States cannot afford to have a double Cold War with China and Russia. “Fighting a two-front new cold war would mean far higher military expenditures, great uncertainty weighing down the global economy, and a diversion […]

China Eastern Europe

In the News

Feb 28, 2022

Friendlander interviewed by Yahoo Finance on the West blocking Russia from SWIFT and Russia’s economic outlook

Watch the full interview here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Feb 28, 2022

Friendlander quoted in Wall Street Journal how Western sanctions on Russia will impact global monetary and macro stability

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

The 5×5

Feb 28, 2022

The 5×5—What’s in a cyber strategy?

By Simon Handler

What’s in a cyber strategy, how should one be created, how can observers gauge its effectiveness, and how might such a strategy be reflected in real-world conflicts?

Conflict Cybersecurity

In the News

Feb 28, 2022

Ellinas quoted in Gas Outlook on Cypriot gas export options
Energy & Environment Oil and Gas
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Sharif Abdelrazeq

Sustainability and Innovation Engineer, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Middle East

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Martin-Sebastian Abel

Co-Founder & Managing Director, TransitionPlan

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Economy & Business

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic China

Fellow

Gbemisola Abudu

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Grace Abuhamad

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Digital Policy Internet

Millennium fellow

Ramzi Abunemreh

Architectural Manager, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Asia Economy & Business
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Events

Online Event Wed, April 8, 2026 • 8:30 am ET

IMEC during a time of war
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia India Middle East
Flagship Event Thu, April 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

Global Prosperity Forum

The Global Prosperity Forum brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and scholars to explore actionable solutions for global development, freedom, democracy, and shared prosperity.
Entrepreneurship Freedom and Prosperity Inclusive Growth Political Reform
Online Event Mon, April 13, 2026 • 8:00 am ET

2026 IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings at the Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council hosts a series of special events with finance ministers and central bank governors from around the globe during the 2026 spring meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
Economy & Business International Financial Institutions
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