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

Sarah Bauerle Danzman provides written testimony before the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission on outbound investment from the United States to China

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
Sarah Bauerle Danzman provides written testimony before the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission on outbound investment from the United States to China

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
Sarah Bauerle Danzman provides written testimony before the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission on outbound investment from the United States to China

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

Testimony

May 23, 2024

Sarah Bauerle Danzman provides written testimony before the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission on outbound investment from the United States to China

By Sarah Bauerle Danzman

GeoEconomics Center Senior Fellow Sarah Bauerle Danzman testifies on the scale of US outbound investment flows to China and recommendations on how the United States should regulate certain types of investment going forward.

China Economy & Business
Oil derricks in Siberia

Russia Tomorrow

May 23, 2024

Oil, gas, and war: The effect of sanctions on the Russian energy industry

By Vladimir Milov

A new Atlantic Council report explores the effect of sanctions on Russia's energy industry. Are oil and gas still Putin's lifeline?

Europe & Eurasia Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

May 22, 2024

Lichfield quoted by Foreign Policy on G7 Ukraine bond proposal backed by immobilized Russian assets

Read the full article here.

European Union Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

May 21, 2024

Donovan cited by The Moscow Times on China-Russia trade

Read the full article here.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Econographics

May 21, 2024

Russia Sanctions Database: May 2024

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze, Ryan Murphy, and Alessandra Magazzino

The Atlantic Council’s Russia Sanctions Database tracks the restrictive economic measures Western allies have placed on Russia and evaluates whether these measures are successful in achieving the stated objectives.

China East Asia

In the News

May 17, 2024

Lipsky quoted by Reuters on G7 Ukraine bond proposal backed by immobilized Russian assets

Read the full article here.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion International Financial Institutions

In the News

May 15, 2024

Donovan and Nikoladze quoted by the Financial Times on the effect of sanctions on Russia-China trade relationship

Read the full article here.

China Economy & Business

In the News

May 9, 2024

Braw in CBC on Russia’s shadow fleet

By Elisabeth Braw

On May 9, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was quoted in CBC on the Russian shadow fleet and its effect in circumventing the sanctions.   

Europe & Eurasia Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Econographics

May 8, 2024

‘Creative solutions’ with Russia’s immobilized assets must rise to the challenge Ukraine now faces

By Oleg Dunda

$280 billion of Russian reserves can be used more strategically–without crossing red lines–to get funding to Ukraine.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion International Financial Institutions

In the News

May 7, 2024

Fontenrose joins Bloomberg Radio to discuss Iran sanctions

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion
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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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