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

Experts react: The US just reimposed sanctions on Venezuela. What does this mean for energy markets and Venezuela’s election?

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
Experts react: The US just reimposed sanctions on Venezuela. What does this mean for energy markets and Venezuela’s election?

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
Experts react: The US just reimposed sanctions on Venezuela. What does this mean for energy markets and Venezuela’s election?

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

New Atlanticist

Apr 18, 2024

Experts react: The US just reimposed sanctions on Venezuela. What does this mean for energy markets and Venezuela’s election?

By Atlantic Council experts

The United States will reimpose oil sanctions on Venezuela, faulting Nicolás Maduro’s government for failing to uphold the October 2023 Barbados Agreement.

Economy & Business Elections

In the News

Apr 17, 2024

“Retaliation and Resilience: China’s Economic Statecraft in a Taiwan Crisis” report cited by Brookings on eurodollars and stablecoins

Read the full paper here.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

In the News

Apr 16, 2024

Donovan and Nikoladze cited by Politico on oil trade between China, Russia, and Iran

Read the full article here.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Apr 16, 2024

Donovan quoted in Business Times on US enforcement of Iran oil sanctions

Read the full article here.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Apr 16, 2024

Donovan quoted in Reuters on US enforcement of Iran oil sanctions

Read the full article here.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Apr 15, 2024

Shaffer quoted in S&P Global on Iranian oil sanctions
Energy Markets & Governance Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Apr 15, 2024

Goldwyn and Shaffer quoted in S&P Global on Iranian oil sanctions
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Apr 14, 2024

Our experts decode policymakers’ plans for the global economy at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts were on the ground at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings to analyze whether the Bretton Woods institutions can guide the world through an uncertain recovery.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

In the News

Apr 12, 2024

Singh, Goldin and Bhusari cited in War on the Rocks on positive economic statecraft

Read the full article here.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Inclusive Growth

Global China

Apr 12, 2024

Global China Newsletter: Risky business—the challenge of reducing dependencies on China

By Dexter Tiff Roberts

The third 2024 edition of the Global China Newsletter.

China Economy & Business
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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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