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 quoted in the Daily Mail on Biden’s nuclear negotiations with Iran

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 quoted in the Daily Mail on Biden’s nuclear negotiations with Iran

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 quoted in the Daily Mail on Biden’s nuclear negotiations with Iran

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 2, 2022

Slavin quoted in the Daily Mail on Biden’s nuclear negotiations with Iran

By Atlantic Council

Arms Control Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Mar 2, 2022

Here’s why crypto won’t save the Kremlin from sanctions

By JP Schnapper-Casteras

Moscow turning to cryptocurrency to evade financial punishment is more illusory than it might appear.

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 2, 2022

Burrows and Preble in Responsible Statecraft: Do we really want another Cold War?

By Atlantic Council

On March 2, Mathew Burrows and Christopher Preble published an article in Responsible Statecraft on how to avoid a repeat of the Cold War with Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. “Over time, anger and resentment toward Moscow will give way to something else. The impulse to cut Russia out of the international system is […]

Eastern Europe Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 2, 2022

Ashford in the Christian Science Monitor: A new Iron Curtain? How Russia’s invasion will reshape the world

By Atlantic Council

On March 2, Emma Ashford was quoted in the Christian Science Monitor on how the Russian economy might adapt to Western sanctions. “How deep the new economic division goes may be contingent on the outcome of the Ukraine invasion. The Russian people might find it difficult to accept a deep plunge in their standard of […]

Eastern Europe Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 2, 2022

Friedlander interviewed in BBC News Mundo on the impact of sanctions on Russia

Read the interview here

Economy & Business European Union

In the News

Mar 2, 2022

O’Toole interviewed by France24 on the scope of impact of sanctions targeting Russia’s financial sector

Watch the interview here

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 2, 2022

Lipsky interviewed by CBNC on the G7 sanctioning the Russian Central Bank

Listen to the interview here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 1, 2022

Lichfield quoted in NBC news on Germany-Russia relations

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Mar 1, 2022

Friendlander quoted in Wall Street Journal on the impact of sanctions on the Russian people

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 1, 2022

Sullivan joins Asharq News to discuss NS2 bankruptcy
Arabic Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion
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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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