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

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.

Content

New Atlanticist

Aug 5, 2019

New Russia sanctions: Justified, but feeble and awkward

By Daniel Fried, Brian O'Toole, and David Mortlock

Muddied signals, weak sanctions, and uncertain rollout are no way to respond to Putin’s continuing misdeeds.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Russia

In the News

Aug 4, 2019

Dagres quoted in the Independent on Iran’s seizure of an oil tanker

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

New Atlanticist

Aug 2, 2019

Lift sanctions on Russia? Really?

By Daniel Fried

This issue is simple enough: sanctions were imposed in response to aggression; sanctions can be lifted when and if that aggression ends.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Russia

Uncategorized

Aug 2, 2019

Slavin quoted in the National Interest on US sanctions on Iran

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Aug 1, 2019

Slavin in Axios on US sanctions on Iran

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Jul 31, 2019

Duclos quoted in Le Monde on US-Iran tensions

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion French

In the News

Jul 26, 2019

Hudson quoted in Foreign Policy on US decision not to sanction Sudanese security forces

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Jul 26, 2019

Slavin quoted in Lobe Log on escalating Iran tensions

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Jul 23, 2019

Slavin quoted in the Japan Times on Trump options regarding Iran

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Jul 23, 2019

Dagres interviewed in Monocle on Iran

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

Experts