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

Friedlander and our event on what sanctions mean for the Russian and global economy mentioned in Voice of America

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
Friedlander and our event on what sanctions mean for the Russian and global economy mentioned in Voice of America

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
Friedlander and our event on what sanctions mean for the Russian and global economy mentioned in Voice of America

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 4, 2022

Friedlander and our event on what sanctions mean for the Russian and global economy mentioned in Voice of America

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business European Union

Britain Debrief

Mar 4, 2022

#BritainDebrief – Is this economic war with Russia? A Debrief from Edward Fishman

By Ben Judah

As a newly-formed anti-invasion coalition forms in the international community and takes increasingly severe economic actions against Russia, Senior Fellow Ben Judah interviewed Edward Fishman, former Russia and Europe Lead in the State Department’s Office of Economic Sanctions Policy and Implementation, for #BritainDebrief.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Mar 4, 2022

The Russian Central Bank is running out of options

By Charles Lichfield

The now-embattled institution didn't expect to be sanctioned so quickly—and was forced to prepare its response in a hurry.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Mar 4, 2022

Lipsky quoted in Bloomberg on the effectiveness of sanctions imposed on Russia

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business European Union

In the News

Mar 4, 2022

Lipsky quoted in Wall Street Journal on whether CIPS is a viable alternative to SWIFT for sanction evasion or means for sanction evasion

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 4, 2022

Friendlander quoted in Politico on China aiding Russia in light of western sanctions

Read the full article here.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 3, 2022

Amb. Fried quoted in the Washington Post on the long term considerations for the war in Ukraine

Read the full article here

Economy & Business European Union

In the News

Mar 3, 2022

Amb. Fried quoted in NPR on how sanctions may influence Putin’s military objectives

Listen to the interview here

Economy & Business European Union

In the News

Mar 3, 2022

Friendlander quoted in Bloomberg on long term effect of sanctions and the Russia Ukraine war

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 3, 2022

Friendlander quoted in the Pioneer on economic sanctions

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia
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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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