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

Iran has a hostage-taking model. It’s long overdue that the US build a policy around it.

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
Iran has a hostage-taking model. It’s long overdue that the US build a policy around it.

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
Iran has a hostage-taking model. It’s long overdue that the US build a policy around it.

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

IranSource

Aug 22, 2023

Iran has a hostage-taking model. It’s long overdue that the US build a policy around it.

By Jason Brodsky

Much of the controversy over an Iran hostage agreement has to do with the lack of a multilateral strategy to deter hostage-taking.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

IranSource

Aug 18, 2023

What are ‘targeted human rights sanctions,’ and why are they used for Iran?

By Celeste Kmiotek, Lisandra Novo

Reports announcing targeted sanctions designations often fail to mention what they are, how they work, and whether they are effective.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Aug 10, 2023

Bauerle Danzman quoted by BBC on outbound investment screening executive order

Read the full piece here.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Aug 9, 2023

Bauerle Danzman quoted by Bloomberg on outbound investment screening executive order

Read the full piece here.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Aug 6, 2023

Rich Outzen joins WION news to discuss Russian sanctions busting to make drones
Defense Technologies Drones

In the News

Aug 3, 2023

Donovan quoted by Bloomberg on Russian sanctions designations

Read the full piece here.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Aug 3, 2023

Lichfield quoted by Axios on immobilizing Russian assets

Read the full newsletter here.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Jul 26, 2023

Webster quoted in Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty on China exports to Russia
China Economy & Business

In the News

Jul 26, 2023

Yevgeniya Gaber wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post on Grain Deal, Russia’s attempts to loosen sanctions, and control over the maritime routes in the Black Sea
Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jul 23, 2023

Webster in China-Russia Report: Imports from China are critical for the Russian war economy
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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