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 quoted in Foreign Policy on how to approach sanctioning Russia

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
O’Toole quoted in Foreign Policy on how to approach sanctioning Russia

Econographics May 29, 2025

After partial relief, what’s next for Syria sanctions?

By Alex Zerden

Syria remains a high-risk jurisdiction due to years of conflict, endemic corruption, state institution collapse, narcotrafficking of captagon, insufficient anti-money laundering efforts, and inadequate financing of terrorism controls.
Economic Sanctions Economy & Business
O’Toole quoted in Foreign Policy on how to approach sanctioning Russia

Sinographs Jun 2, 2025

Hong Kong highlights China’s policy of decoupling from US financial markets

By Jeremy Mark

The political benefits of an international financial center with Chinese characteristics will outweigh the pain that decoupling inflicts on China’s private sector.
China Economy & Business
O’Toole quoted in Foreign Policy on how to approach sanctioning Russia

New Atlanticist May 27, 2025

What’s the Trump administration’s dollar strategy? It depends on who you ask.

By Alisha Chhangani

Within the White House, there appear to be competing and fractured views of the dollar’s role. This dissonance could result in harm to the currency’s long-term dominance.
Digital Currencies Economy & Business
O’Toole quoted in Foreign Policy on how to approach sanctioning Russia

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 Economic Sanctions
O’Toole quoted in Foreign Policy on how to approach sanctioning Russia

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

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 quoted in Foreign Policy on how to approach sanctioning Russia

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 quoted in Foreign Policy on how to approach sanctioning Russia

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 quoted in Foreign Policy on how to approach sanctioning Russia

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 quoted in Foreign Policy on how to approach sanctioning Russia

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 quoted in Foreign Policy on how to approach sanctioning Russia

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

New Atlanticist

Jul 18, 2025

Four questions (and expert answers) on the new US cryptocurrency legislation

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts pull back the curtain on three new pieces of legislation on digital currencies, covering everything from stablecoins to CBDCs.

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

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

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
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Content

In the News

Apr 21, 2021

O’Toole quoted in Foreign Policy on how to approach sanctioning Russia

By Brian O’Toole

Read the full article here.  

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Central Bank Digital Currencies

Apr 20, 2021

The Rise of Central Bank Digital Currencies

By GeoEconomics Center

What exactly is a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and how does the research compare globally?

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

Executive Summary

Apr 20, 2021

Россия после Путина – Первоочередные шаги новой власти

By Anders Åslund and Leonid Gozman

Мы не знаем, когда прекратит свое существование режим Путина, но он явно испытывает трудности. В своем новом докладе д-р Андерс Ослунд и д-р Леонид Гозман дают рекомендации о том, что следует сделать после завершения путинского правления.

Civil Society Corruption

In the News

Apr 20, 2021

Lipsky spoke with BBC radio in an interview on ‘britcoin’

By Josh Lipsky

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business United Kingdom

In the News

Apr 20, 2021

Greenwald spoke with CNBC in an interview on the US falling behind China in the digital currency race

By Michael Greenwald

Read the full article here.

China Economy & Business

Event Recap

Apr 20, 2021

Commercial opportunities abound in young, urban, and integrated African markets

By Africa Center

On Tuesday, April 20, the Africa Center hosted a panel on strengthening US-Africa commercial ties featuring an esteemed panel of stakeholders representing American Tower Corporation, Citi, Visa, the Green Climate Fund, and EbonyLife Media.

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

Blog Post

Apr 19, 2021

An EAR-evolution? What Commerce’s military intelligence end-user rule may foretell

By Annie Froehlich

Export controls have become an increasingly prominent tool in the US' foreign policy. However, a new rule that restricts the activities of US persons may foretell a shift in tactics.

Arms Control China

In the News

Apr 19, 2021

Foroohar in Financial Times on Biden’s infrastructure package and Atlantic Council event

By Rana Foroohar

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

In the News

Apr 19, 2021

Mark in Foreign Policy on Taiwan and China’s codependent economic relationship

By Jeremy Mark

Read the full article here.

China East Asia

Report

Apr 19, 2021

Priorities for US-Africa commercial policy in the Biden Administration

By Aubrey Hruby

This new decade has created a unique moment for the Biden administration to reset US-Africa policy. A more multifaceted and nuanced engagement with African states will set a foundation for stronger US-Africa partnerships, support mutual economic growth, and contribute to strengthening US global leadership.

Africa Economy & Business
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Experts

Fellow

Thomas Storch

Distinguished fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Energy Markets & Governance

Fellow

Leremy Colf

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

Digital Policy Internet

Fellow

Reem Goussous

Nonresident senior fellow

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

Americas Arabic

Fellow

Achilles Tsirgis

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business European Union

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Inês Bravo Figueiredo

Co-President, Volt Portugal

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Economy & Business

Staff

Bart Piasecki

Assistant Director

GeoEconomics Center

Fiscal and Structural Reform International Financial Institutions
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Events

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