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

Slavin joins CGTN America to discuss recent developments in Iran nuclear talks and potential obstacles

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
Slavin joins CGTN America to discuss recent developments in Iran nuclear talks and potential obstacles

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
Slavin joins CGTN America to discuss recent developments in Iran nuclear talks and potential obstacles

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

Mar 24, 2022

Slavin joins CGTN America to discuss recent developments in Iran nuclear talks and potential obstacles

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Non-Traditional Threats

In the News

Mar 23, 2022

Friedlander interviewed in Zeit Online regarding consequences of sanctions against Russia

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business European Union

In the News

Mar 23, 2022

Lipsky quoted in Bloomberg on NATO unity

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 22, 2022

Sales quoted in Fox News on the consequences of potential sanctions being lifted from Iranian military

By Atlantic Council

Extremism Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Mar 22, 2022

Slavin quoted in Morning Consult on Russia-Iran relations amidst Vienna talks

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Mar 22, 2022

Preble on Net Assessment: Russia’s war in Ukraine: how does this end?

By Atlantic Council

On March 22, Christopher Preble joined his co-hosts on the Net Assessment podcast to discuss how the war in Ukraine might end. They also discussed why Ukraine was fighting so well and Russia so poorly, and the democracies’ relative unanimity in opposing the war. “Why has Russia struggled so mightily? Why has Ukraine fought so […]

Conflict Eastern Europe

In the News

Mar 22, 2022

Friedlander included in Wall Street Journal In-Depth Features video on global sanctions against Russia

Watch the full video here.

Crisis Management Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 21, 2022

Friedlander quoted in the NOS on Russian oligarchs’ role in Putin’s war in Ukraine

Read the full article here.

Corruption Crisis Management

UkraineAlert

Mar 21, 2022

Fear of provoking Putin is leading the Western world toward disaster

By Ilya Timtchenko

Western policy toward Russia has long been shaped by fear of provoking Vladimir Putin but this caution has only served to encourage further acts of Russian aggression culminating in the current war in Ukraine.

Conflict European Union

In the News

Mar 21, 2022

Ashford in War on the Rocks: Russia recognizes breakaway territories in eastern Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

On February 21, Ashford featured on the War on the Rocks Warcast, discussing the Russian recognition of the independence of breakaway territories of Eastern Ukraine. “I spoke with Dr. Emma Ashford to discuss the current military situation on Ukraine’s borders, trans-Atlantic diplomacy, and the implications of additional sanctions on the Russian economy. Emma is a […]

Eastern Europe 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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