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

Lipsky’s Twitter quoted in Investing on Switzerland’s participation in Russia 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
Lipsky’s Twitter quoted in Investing on Switzerland’s participation in Russia 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
Lipsky’s Twitter quoted in Investing on Switzerland’s participation in Russia 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

Mar 7, 2022

Lipsky’s Twitter quoted in Investing on Switzerland’s participation in Russia sanctions

Read the full article here

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Mar 6, 2022

Putin’s Ukraine War: Russian oligarchs must face tougher sanctions

By Diane Francis

Sanctions against Russian oligarchs are starting to work and have already caused some to speak out against Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Their influence on the Kremlin is key and pressure on them must now continue.

Conflict Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 5, 2022

Amb. Fried quoted in CBC News on the impact of sanctions on Russian oligarchs

Read the full article here

Economy & Business European Union

In the News

Mar 4, 2022

GeoEconomics Center event on Russia sanctions cited in Politico

Read the full article here

Economy & Business European Union

UkraineAlert

Mar 4, 2022

Sanctioning Putin’s Ukraine War: Time to cut academic ties with Russia?

By Richard L. Hudson

As the West imposes crushing sanctions on Russia over Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, governments must also address the complex issue of academic cooperation with Russian universities.

Conflict Education

In the News

Mar 4, 2022

Sullivan in Barron’s: Who will be left to do business in Russia?
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Geopolitics & Energy Security

Britain Debrief

Mar 4, 2022

#BritainDebrief – What impact are Britain and Allied sanctions having on Russia? A Debrief from Dr. Maria Shagina

By Ben Judah

As Britain joins the global anti-invasion coalition to take increasingly assertive economic action against Russia, Ben Judah interviews Dr. Maria Shagina, visiting fellow at the Finnish Institute for International Affairs' Center on US Politics and Power, for #BritainDebrief.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Mar 4, 2022

Kumar interviewed by CoinDesk on China’s role in sanctions against Russia

Watch the interview here

China Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 4, 2022

Friendlander quoted in Financial Times on the West weaponizing finance to stop the continuation of Russia Ukraine war

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 4, 2022

Schnapper-Casteras cited in CoinDesk Podcast on cryptocurrency and sanctions

Listen to the podcast here

China Digital Currencies
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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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