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

Borghard in Modern War Institute: The economic aspects of great power competition

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
Borghard in Modern War Institute: The economic aspects of great power competition

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
Borghard in Modern War Institute: The economic aspects of great power competition

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

Dec 2, 2020

Borghard in Modern War Institute: The economic aspects of great power competition

By Atlantic Council

Erica writes about the role of economic statecraft in great power competition and the dangers of the United States’ overreliance on economic power for coercive purposes. More about our expert

Defense Policy Economy & Business

In the News

Nov 27, 2020

Linscott in The Hindu: Putting trade ties on a new footing

By Atlantic Council

Americas Economy & Business

Report

Nov 17, 2020

Defending the United States against Russian dark money

By Anders Åslund, Julia Friedlander

Warfare has evolved and the United States now faces a major unconventional threat: Russia's estimated $1 trillion of dark money. With it, the Kremlin can wreak havoc if the US fails to act and recognize this national security threat for what it is.

Corruption European Union

New Atlanticist

Oct 29, 2020

Russia sanctions bite and remind us of the value of transatlantic unity

By Juha Rainne

Despite some early hesitation and Moscow’s attempts to discredit them, the sanctions are working. They have had an undeniable effect on the Russian economy, which Moscow cannot overlook in its decision-making.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Russia

In the News

Oct 26, 2020

Fontenrose quoted in CNBC on possible US sanction policies towards Iran under President-elect Biden

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Elections

In the News

Oct 23, 2020

Fishman in War on the Rocks: Make Russia sanctions effective again

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Russia

AfricaSource

Oct 19, 2020

Sudan is removed from the terror list. Now what?

By Cameron Hudson

After twenty-seven years on the US State Sponsor of Terrorism list, President Trump today announced, via Twitter, that Sudan’s terror designation was at long last being removed. While many details of the deal struck between the Trump Administration and the transitional authorities in Sudan have yet to emerge, the announcement by itself should be welcomed as a major achievement for both Washington and Khartoum.

Africa Democratic Transitions

In the News

Oct 19, 2020

Clete Willems Quoted in Politico on the Efforts of the US and EU to Fix the WTO

By Clete R. Willems

Read the full article here.

European Union Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Oct 18, 2020

Deputy Director Julia Friedlander and Ambassador Fried Quoted in New York Times on Trump’s Sanctions

By Julia Friedlander, Daniel Fried

Read the full article here.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion United States and Canada

In the News

Oct 13, 2020

Slavin quoted in The New York Times on America’s ‘maximum pressure’ campaign against Iran
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Stephanie Connor

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Crimes & Illicit Trade

Fellow

Jonathan Corrado

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Indo-Pacific Korea

Staff

Lize de Kruijf

Program Assistant, Economic Statecraft Initiative

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Dutch Economy & Business

Board director

Ambassador Paula J. Dobriansky

Vice Chair, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Latin America China

Fellow

Hanna Dohmen

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Chinese

Fellow

Edward Fishman

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Russia Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion
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