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

Bhusari interviewed by Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies on the evolving role of economic statecraft in international relations

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
Bhusari interviewed by Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies on the evolving role of economic statecraft in international relations

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
Bhusari interviewed by Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies on the evolving role of economic statecraft in international relations

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

Oct 5, 2021

Bhusari interviewed by Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies on the evolving role of economic statecraft in international relations

By Mrugank Bhusari

Watch the full interview here.

Afghanistan Economy & Business

In the News

Oct 5, 2021

Friedlander quoted in Washington Post about how sanctions have disrupted Russian oligarchs who rely on US financial markets as an element of their power

By Julia Friedlander

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Sep 17, 2021

Biden finally gets bold on Ethiopia. But will it bring peace?

By Cameron Hudson

The Biden team has launched its final and most elaborate warning shot before cracking down with sanctions against human-rights abusers in the Tigray region.

Africa Conflict

EconoGraphics

Sep 17, 2021

Global Sanctions Dashboard: Summer edition

By Julia Friedlander, Michael Albanese and Castellum.AI

Current state of sanctions against the Taliban, China’s use of its Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, and combating corruption through sanctions.

Afghanistan Belarus

In the News

Sep 16, 2021

O’Toole quoted in Voice of America about what’s next for the US in Afghanistan

By Brian O’Toole

Read the whole article here.

Afghanistan Economy & Business

In the News

Sep 15, 2021

Dagres joins Monocle to discuss the JCPOA

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Intelligence

Blog Post

Sep 15, 2021

State of the Order: Assessing August 2021

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.

Afghanistan Belarus

In the News

Sep 13, 2021

GeoEconomics Center mentioned in Al Jazeera about Ajmal Ahmady event

By Julia Friedlander, Josh Lipsky

Read the full article here.

Afghanistan Economy & Business

In the News

Sep 13, 2021

GeoEconomics Center mentioned in Axios about Ajmal Ahmady event

By Julia Friedlander, Josh Lipsky

Read the full article here.

Afghanistan Economy & Business

In the News

Sep 13, 2021

Dagres joins the Monocle to discuss the Iranian nuclear deal

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran
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Experts

Staff

John E. Herbst

Senior Director

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Politics & Diplomacy

Fellow

Brian Janovitz

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business English

Staff

Tyler Lennon

Program Assistant

Millennium Leadership Program

Corruption Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Staff

Charles Lichfield

Director, Economic Foresight & Analysis</br>C. Boyden Gray Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business European Union

Fellow

Mark Linscott

Nonresident Senior Fellow, India

Trade and tariffs

Fellow

Phil Lovegren

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Americas Economy & Business
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