Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

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

Preble on the Net Assessment podcast: The color of money

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
Preble on the Net Assessment podcast: The color of money

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
Preble on the Net Assessment podcast: The color of money

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

Mar 4, 2021

Preble on the Net Assessment podcast: The color of money

By Atlantic Council

On March 4, Christopher Preble and co-hosts Zack Cooper (AEI), and Melanie Marlowe (CSIS) discussed US sanctions programs and how to make them more effective on War on the Rocks Net Assessment podcast. They consider why sanctions have become the go-to answer to so many foreign policy problems, and explore when they should be used, […]

English Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Issue Brief

Mar 4, 2021

It’s time to get serious about a pressure strategy to contain North Korea

By Andrea R. Mihailescu

A Biden administration North Korea Strategy should continue dialogue with Kim's government, backed by a variety of pressure and enforcement tactics, in order to strive for the goal of arms reduction.

Arms Control Economy & Business

Report

Mar 4, 2021

New Atlantic Council poll: Insights on Venezuelan and Cuban American sentiments regarding US policy toward Venezuela

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Venezuelan-American and Cuban-American voters support an alternative policy approach that places the alleviation of human suffering at the core of US efforts.

Corruption Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Mar 2, 2021

Three big takeaways from Biden’s first Russia sanctions

By Brian O’Toole, Daniel Fried

After weeks of speculation, we now know how the Biden administration will sanction Russia in direct response to the poisoning, sentencing, and detention of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Mar 1, 2021

Fontenrose quoted in Guardian on US actions after the release of Khashoggi report
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 26, 2021

Fontenrose quoted in Tasnim News Agency on possible US actions following release of Khashoggi report
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Middle East

New Atlanticist

Feb 26, 2021

How to deploy economic tools against Putin’s aggression

By Brian O’Toole, Daniel Fried

Life doesn’t wait for any administration—and neither will Putin. Here's how the US government can deploy sanctions and other tools of economic statecraft as part of a broader Russia policy.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Feb 24, 2021

Dagres joins Newsmakers to discuss the JCPOA
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran
Port de Barcelona at night

Reality Check

Feb 22, 2021

Reality Check #2: Economic sanctions should not always be the go-to foreign policy tool

By Erica Borghard

US policymakers should focus on whether sanctions are likely to produce the desired effect, rather than serving as simply a tool to signal displeasure.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 16, 2021

Fontenrose joins Lawfare to discuss US-Iran relationship
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran
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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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