Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Economy & Business

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

Slavin quoted in the National Interest on US sanctions on 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

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

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

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Uncategorized

Aug 2, 2019

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

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Econographics

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Energy Sanctions Dashboard

Russia Sanctions Database

Recent analysis

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

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

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

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Content

Slavin quoted in the National Interest on US sanctions on Iran

Slavin in Axios on US sanctions on Iran

Duclos quoted in Le Monde on US-Iran tensions

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

Slavin quoted in Lobe Log on escalating Iran tensions

Slavin quoted in the Japan Times on Trump options regarding Iran

Dagres interviewed in Monocle on Iran

Cohen joins Bloomberg Radio to discuss escalations in Iran

Cohen joins CNBC to discuss Iranian seizure of oil tanker

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

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Nitansha Bansal

Ryan Berger

Chris Brummer

Michael Carpenter

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Claire Chu

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