Gold’s geopolitical comeback: How physical and digital gold can be used to evade US sanctions

New Atlanticist Mar 18, 2025

The Gaza cease-fire is over. What’s next from Israel, Hamas, and the US?

By Atlantic Council experts

In the early hours of March 18, Israel launched air strikes on Gaza, ending the two-month cease-fire. Atlantic Council experts answer pressing questions about the resumed conflict.
Conflict Israel
Gold’s geopolitical comeback: How physical and digital gold can be used to evade US sanctions

New Atlanticist Mar 17, 2025

Enough carrots for Putin. For better negotiations, serve ‘maximum pressure’ instead.

By Benjamin L. Schmitt, Richard L. Morningstar, and Daniel Fried

Since Russia appears content for negotiations to move slowly, the Trump administration should turn up the pressure with new sanctions.
Conflict Economic Sanctions
Gold’s geopolitical comeback: How physical and digital gold can be used to evade US sanctions

Issue Brief Mar 13, 2025

Present without impact? How the Middle East perceives China’s diplomatic engagement

By Jonathan Fulton

Despite economic advancements and high-profile diplomatic engagements, China’s influence remains largely economic rather than political, Jonathan Fulton argues.
China Economy & Business

Content

New Atlanticist

May 22, 2025

Gold’s geopolitical comeback: How physical and digital gold can be used to evade US sanctions

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze

The rise of gold-backed currencies that circumvent the US banking system could create a massive blind spot for US sanctions enforcement efforts.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

May 22, 2025

The case for a Three Seas Defense Innovation Hub

By Justina Budginaite-Froehly

Because of increasing threats to critical energy, transport, and digital infrastructure, the Three Seas Initiative should add defense innovation as another pillar of its mission.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

May 21, 2025

Europe is striking back at Russia’s shadow fleet. Here’s what to know about the latest EU and UK sanctions.

By Atlantic Council experts

This week, Brussels and London unveiled new sanctions against Russia and the fleet of oil tankers and other vessels covertly trading in Russian oil. Atlantic Council experts assess the moves.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

UkraineAlert

May 21, 2025

Putin aims to destroy Ukraine and has zero interest in a compromise peace

By Peter Dickinson

Russia’s ongoing campaign to destroy Ukraine as a state and as a nation is taking place in front of the watching world and makes a complete mockery of US-led efforts to broker some kind of compromise peace, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Disinformation

Event Recap

May 21, 2025

Southeast Europe Transatlantic Economic Forum 2025

On May 21, 2025, the Atlantic Council's Europe Center hosted the annual Southeast Europe Transatlantic Economic Forum - Five sessions convening leaders and stakeholders from business and government across SEE, the US, and the Western Balkans.

Economy & Business Geopolitics & Energy Security

Report

May 20, 2025

The European Union Growth Plan for the Western Balkans: A reality test for EU enlargement

By Valbona Zeneli, Richard Grieveson, Isabelle Ioannides, Dimitar Bechev

EU enlargement faces a test case in the Western Balkans. The current plan offers real benefits before accession, creating incentives for reform, but questions of enforceability and the relatively low amount of financial support threaten the success of the EU's political influence in the region.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

May 20, 2025

US-Ukraine minerals deal creates potential for economic and security benefits

By Svitlana Kovalchuk

The recently signed US-Ukrainian minerals deal places bilateral ties on a new footing and creates opportunities for long-term strategic partnership, writes Svitlana Kovalchuk.

Conflict Defense Technologies

New Atlanticist

May 20, 2025

Putin continues to thwart Trump’s goal of achieving a cease-fire

By John E. Herbst

The US and Russian presidents held a two-hour call on May 19. But was any real movement made toward ending Russia's war in Ukraine?

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

May 20, 2025

Portugal’s shift to the right is accelerating. What does that mean for its future?

By Andrew Bernard

The center-right Democratic Alliance won the May 18 election, while the far-right Chega party continued its rise. With the main center-left party losing seats, there is now an absolute majority on the right.

Elections European Union
Magnified US dollar bill

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

May 20, 2025

Why the US cannot afford to lose dollar dominance

By Martin Mühleisen, Valbona Zeneli

Since World War II, US geopolitical influence has been compounded by the role of the dollar as the world’s dominant currency. As global economic power becomes more diffuse and strategic competitors “dedollarize,” policymakers must determine how to maintain the dollar’s role at the center of global trade and financial networks.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers

Minister of Education and Social Development, Government of Anguilla

Millennium Leadership Program

Caribbean Civil Society

Millennium fellow

Wardah Khalid

Senior Policy Adviser, Office of Refugee Resettlement, US Department of Health and Human Services

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society Human Rights

Staff

Celeste Kmiotek

Staff Lawyer, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Americas European Union

Millennium fellow

Beka Kiria

Senior Policymaker, Ministry of Defense, Georgia

Millennium Leadership Program

Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy

Fellow

James Kirchick

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Central Europe Conflict

Fellow

Doug Klain

Nonresident Fellow

Eurasia Center

Politics & Diplomacy Russia
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Events

Public Event Fri, July 25, 2025 • 2:30 pm ET

Pakistan’s foreign minister on tensions with India and the future of US ties

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Pakistani Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar joins the Atlantic Council for a timely conversation on India-Pakistan tensions, regional stability, and the future of US-Pakistan relations.

Defense Policy Economy & Business Indo-Pacific Pakistan
Online Event Tue, July 29, 2025 • 10:30 am ET

One year later: Venezuela’s presidential election and the road ahead 
Americas Civil Society Corruption Democratic Transitions
Online Event Wed, July 30, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

What did (and didn’t) happen at the EU-China Summit
China Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy