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

Fontenrose joins Bloomberg Radio to discuss Iran sanctions

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
Fontenrose joins Bloomberg Radio to discuss Iran sanctions

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
Fontenrose joins Bloomberg Radio to discuss Iran sanctions

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

May 7, 2024

Fontenrose joins Bloomberg Radio to discuss Iran sanctions

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

May 7, 2024

Russia Sanctions Database cited by RUSI policy brief on sanctions circumvention

Read the full policy brief here.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Russia

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2024

A new US economic playbook to lead the world economy and counter China

By Kaush Arha, Peter Harrell, and Clete Willems

The United States needs a new comprehensive economic strategy to advance US interests and deter China’s ability to do them harm.

China Climate Change & Climate Action

In the News

May 2, 2024

Idlbi joins Syria TV to discuss Biden’s obstruction of Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Economy & Business

In the News

May 2, 2024

Idlbi quoted in Arabi 21 on Biden’s obstruction of Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Economy & Business
Central bank building with gate

Econographics

May 2, 2024

Understanding the plan to create a $50 billion Ukraine bond from Russia’s blocked assets

By Charles Lichfield, Mrugank Bhusari

The United States is pushing the G7 to consider a sovereign loan of $50 billion to Ukraine which would be repaid using the interest income on blocked Russian assets. Where does this $50 billion figure come from?

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Russia

UkraineAlert

Apr 28, 2024

US takes big step toward making Russia pay for Ukraine invasion

By Kira Rudik

While attention has focused on the military aspects of the new US aid package for Ukraine, the bill also includes an important step toward holding Russia financially accountable for the invasion, writes Kira Rudik.

Conflict European Union

In the News

Apr 24, 2024

Shaffer quoted in S&P Global on US sanctions on Iran
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Apr 23, 2024

“Retaliation and Resilience: China’s Economic Statecraft in a Taiwan Crisis” report quoted in Semafor Principals newsletter

Read the newsletter here.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Report

Apr 22, 2024

Markets matter: A glance into the spyware industry

By Jen Roberts, Trey Herr, Emma Taylor, Nitansha Bansal

The Intellexa Consortium is a complex web of holding companies and vendors for spyware and related services. The Consortium represents a compelling example of spyware vendors in the context of the market in which they operate—one which helps facilitate the commercial sale of software driving both human rights and national security risk.

Civil Society Cybersecurity
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Experts

Fellow

Daniel Fried

Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative Eurasia Center

Eastern Europe Democratic Transitions

Fellow

Annie Froehlich

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Fellow

Hany Ghanem

Nonresident senior fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Americas Arabic

Fellow

Michael Greenwald

Senior Advisor to the President and CEO

GeoEconomics Center

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

Fellow

Agnia Grigas

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Eastern Europe Energy Markets & Governance

Fellow

Sinan Hatahet

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business
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