Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Financial sanctions and other forms of economic coercion have become policy tools of choice for the US government to deter illegal activity by international actors or to pressure governments into reversing actions that harm US interests. Yet these instruments and their potential pitfalls are often misunderstood. Restrictive economic measures such as financial sanctions, export controls, tariffs, and investment screening can play an important role in advancing certain policy objectives, but they risk being ineffective if misapplied or poorly implemented. Policymakers must also recognize the impact of economic statecraft on the private sector, which bears many of the compliance burdens and operational costs associated with these measures.

Energy Sanctions Dashboard

This dashboard focuses on US sanctions and restrictive measures placed on crude oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela—including the unintended consequences and the lessons learned.

Econographics

Apr 17, 2025

Russia Sanctions Database

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze, Lize de Kruijf

The Atlantic Council’s Russia Sanctions Database tracks the level of coordination among Western allies in sanctioning Russian entities, individuals, vessels, and aircraft, and shows where gaps still remain.

Eastern Europe Economy & Business

Recent analysis

Friedlander and Fried quoted in the Wall Street Journal on Nord Stream 2

Econographics Sep 16, 2025

The Supreme Court’s decision on Trump tariffs will have lasting impact on US economic statecraft

By Stephanie Connor

Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules, the case will shape US economic policy for years to come.
Economy & Business Trade and tariffs
Friedlander and Fried quoted in the Wall Street Journal on Nord Stream 2

New Atlanticist Mar 28, 2024

The axis of evasion: Behind China’s oil trade with Iran and Russia

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze

Beijing has developed a way to import Iranian and Russian oil while bypassing the Western financial system and shipping services.
China Economy & Business
Friedlander and Fried quoted in the Wall Street Journal on Nord Stream 2

Testimony Feb 21, 2025

Kimberly Donovan testifies to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission on the Axis of Autocracy

By Kimberly Donovan

On February 20, Economic Statecraft Initiative Director Kimberly Donovan testified to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission at a hearing titled, “An Axis of Autocracy? China’s Relations with Russia, Iran, and North Korea.”
China Economy & Business

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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Content

In the News

Apr 16, 2021

Friedlander and Fried quoted in the Wall Street Journal on Nord Stream 2

By Daniel Fried, Julia Friedlander

Read the full article here.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fast Thinking

Apr 15, 2021

FAST THINKING: Biden hits back at Putin

By Atlantic Council

Today the Biden administration hit thirty-two Russian government officials and entities, plus six companies, with economic sanctions in retaliation for the SolarWinds hack, 2020 election interference, and other Russian malfeasance. What measures matter most?

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

EconoGraphics

Apr 14, 2021

Global Sanctions Dashboard: March

By Julia Friedlander, Michael Albanese and Castellum.AI

Growing international sanctions response to Chinese behavior, the Iran nuclear deal talks in Vienna, and the crisis in Myanmar.

China European Union

In the News

Apr 9, 2021

Norrlöf in Washington Post on China and Russia’s plan to “de-dollarize”

By Dr. Carla Norrlöf

Read the full article here.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Apr 8, 2021

Slavin joins i24 to discuss lifting US sanctions on Iran
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

TURKEYSource

Apr 5, 2021

The end of the Gulf rift may not signal the end of Turkey-Qatar relations

By Meliha Benli Altunışık

Early this year, changing regional power balances drove Qatar and the GCC bloc to a normalization agreement, almost four years after the imposition of an embargo on Qatar. During that time, Qatar and Turkey developed an increasingly close and multifaceted relationship. Although cutting military ties between Qatar and Turkey had been on the original list of demands issued by the Saudi led bloc, don't expect any in Turkey-Qatar relations.

Defense Industry Economy & Business

In the News

Apr 2, 2021

From Myanmar to Iran: Kroenig and Ashford debate Chinese influence around the world

By Atlantic Council

On April 2, Foreign Policy published a biweekly column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and New American Engagement Initiative senior fellow Emma Ashford discussing the latest news in international affairs. In this column, they discuss vulnerabilities to the global trading system, China’s preferences for what happens in Myanmar, and the consequences of China imposing retaliatory sanctions […]

China Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Mar 23, 2021

Three implications of the US-China confrontation in Anchorage

By Hung Tran

After the meeting in Alaska, sanctions on China's officials, and other key events of the past week, here are three main takeaways.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 19, 2021

Kroenig quoted in Politico on the future of the US-China relationship

By Atlantic Council

Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in a Vox article on President Biden's decision to extend New START for five years.

China East Asia

BelarusAlert

Mar 17, 2021

How do you sanction a problem like Lukashenka?

By Brian Whitmore

The West is looking to increase sanctions against Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka but must also tread carefully to avoid creating opportunities for Russia to expand its geopolitical influence.

Belarus European Union
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Experts

Staff

Nitansha Bansal

Associate Director

Cyber Statecraft Initiative

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Fellow

Ryan Berger

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

Americas Cybersecurity

Fellow

Chris Brummer

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

Fellow

Michael Carpenter

Distinguished Fellow

Eurasia Center Europe Center

Eastern Europe National Security

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Fellow

Claire Chu

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Chinese
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