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

Cohen joins Bloomberg Radio to discuss escalations in Iran

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
Cohen joins Bloomberg Radio to discuss escalations in Iran

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
Cohen joins Bloomberg Radio to discuss escalations in Iran

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

Jul 22, 2019

Cohen joins Bloomberg Radio to discuss escalations in Iran

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Jul 22, 2019

Cohen joins CNBC to discuss Iranian seizure of oil tanker
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Jul 20, 2019

Daragahi quoted in the Washington Examiner on the risk of conflict with Iran

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Jul 20, 2019

Dagres interviewed in ABC Australia on Iran’s seizure of a British oil tanker

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Jul 16, 2019

Slavin quoted in National Catholic Reporter on US-Iran tensions

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

Digital currencies

Jul 16, 2019

Libra: Balancing Risks and Opportunities

By Global Business & Economics Program

Facebook has disclosed its plans to launch the ambitious new digital currency, Libra, in the first half of 2020. Operating on a version of blockchain, Libra hopes to become a widely adopted payment method, supported by Facebook's 2.4 bn users and a coalition of global corporations including Uber, Visa, and Spotify that form the Libra Association.

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

In the News

Jul 12, 2019

Fleck quoted in CNBC on US tariffs for French products

By Atlantic Council

Digital Policy Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2019

A financial statecraft strategy for the United States to address the rise of China

By Michael B. Greenwald

Sanctions can be effective in compelling a change in Huawei’s behavior within realistic boundaries.

China Economy & Business

Report

Jun 28, 2019

Priority-based approach to the North Korean nuclear issue—An enlightened dose of self-centeredness

By Taisuke Mibae

From the time Chairman Kim Jong-Un started his “charm offensive” early last year until the fallout of the second summit meeting between Kim and President Donald Trump in Hanoi in February 2019, officials and experts have debated whether North Korea is ready for denuclearization on the terms of the United States and its allies. Rather […]

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Korea

UkraineAlert

Jun 27, 2019

Putin finally tells Russians the truth (sort of)

By Anders Åslund

In his annual television marathon “Direct Line with Vladimir Putin” on June 20, the Russian president did something unusual. To my knowledge, this is the first time he specified the impact of Western sanctions on Russia, which he usually presents as having a positive effect on the Russian economy because of import substitution. “Look, according […]

Conflict Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion
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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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