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

Ashford in Inkstick: Debating the efficacy of US sanctions on Venezuela and Ethiopia

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
Ashford in Inkstick: Debating the efficacy of US sanctions on Venezuela and Ethiopia

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
Ashford in Inkstick: Debating the efficacy of US sanctions on Venezuela and Ethiopia

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

Dec 13, 2021

Ashford in Inkstick: Debating the efficacy of US sanctions on Venezuela and Ethiopia

By Atlantic Council

On December 13, Emma Ashford was featured in Inkstick’s Adults in a Room column, writing on the Biden administration’s review of sanctions policy. “The Biden administration’s recently released sanctions review was emblematic of a core problem faced by advocates of sanctions reform. To the surprise of many, the review laid out extremely clearly some of […]

English Ethiopia

In the News

Dec 13, 2021

Azodi quoted in The New Arab on the implication of the UAE’s top national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s recent visit to Tehran

By Atlantic Council

Defense Policy Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Dec 11, 2021

Katz quoted in South China Morning Post on Putin’s trip to India and what it means for the US and China

By Atlantic Council

China Defense Policy

In the News

Dec 10, 2021

Azodi quoted in L’Orient Le Jour on new US sanctions on Tehran

By Atlantic Council

Arms Control Defense Policy

In the News

Dec 10, 2021

Friedlander quoted in CNN Politics on the potential sanctioning of Russian energy producers and its consequences

By Julia Friedlander

Read the full article here

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Dec 9, 2021

Dagres joins Monocle to discuss the latest on the Iran nuclear talks

By Atlantic Council

Defense Policy Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

UkraineAlert

Dec 7, 2021

Biden warns Putin of high costs if Russia launches new Ukraine invasion

By Peter Dickinson

US President Joe Biden has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that America and its European allies will impose a range of tough new sanctions if Moscow proceeds with its threatened invasion of Ukraine.

Conflict European Union

In the News

Dec 7, 2021

Fishman quoted in The Guardian on potential US sanctions against Russia
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Dec 5, 2021

Azodi joins BBC Persian to discuss the economic implications of reviving the JCPOA

By Atlantic Council

Defense Policy Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Dec 3, 2021

Europe’s future will be decided in Ukraine

By Oleksii Reznikov

The international community must urgently demonstrate its resolve to punish Russia in order to deter a full-scale invasion of Ukraine that would plunge Europe into chaos, warns Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov.

Conflict European Union
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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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