Recent analysis

Programs and initiatives

Housed within the GeoEconomics Center, the Economic Statecraft Initiative (ESI) publishes leading-edge research and analysis on sanctions and the use of economic power to achieve foreign policy objectives and protect national security interests.

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.

Events

Experts

Content

In the News

Aug 18, 2025

Tannebaum interviewed by BBC on Trump-Putin summit stakes and sanctions options if progress is not made

Watch the full interview here

Economic Sanctions Financial Crimes & Illicit Trade

In the News

Aug 18, 2025

Donovan quoted in Reuters on US ‘secondary tariffs’ and trade negotiations with India and China

Read the full article here

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Aug 7, 2025

Five charts that show how criminal organizations in Colombia work—and grow

By Aaron Kolleda and Isabel Chiriboga

Our experts break down the numbers that show the reach, power, and influence of drug cartels and other transnational criminal organizations.

Americas Colombia

Econographics

Jul 29, 2025

Safeguarding Uyghur human rights: The US should leverage economic statecraft tools to end Uyghur forced labor

By Nazima Tursun

Through sanctions and the adoption of anti-forced labor legislation, the United States has led the global effort to combat China’s forced labor practices. While these measures have moved the needle in the fight against forced labor, widespread tariffs and the absence of new punitive measures targeting forced labor may cause progress to stagnate.

China Economic Sanctions

In the News

Jul 21, 2025

Nikoladze and Donovan cited in Centre for International Governance Innovation report on digital privacy, assets, and decentralization

Read the full report here.

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

In the News

Jul 10, 2025

Donovan quoted in Bloomberg on the US use of sanctions against Mexican banks

Read the full article here.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Econographics

Jun 17, 2025

Anonymous shell companies pose a threat to US national security. Here is how to address it.

By Julie Brinn Siegel

On March 26, the Department of the Treasury scrapped critical federal rules that would have made most anonymous shell companies illegal. The rules would also have prevented them from being abused by drug cartels, human traffickers, foreign adversaries like Iran and China, terrorist groups, and other bad actors.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Jun 17, 2025

Donovan and Nikoladze cited in Foreign Policy on the systems of sanction evasion between China and Iran

Read the full article here

China Economic Sanctions

In the News

Jun 10, 2025

House quoted in Axios on regulatory gaps in the Clarity Act

Read the full article here.

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

Testimony

Jun 9, 2025

Carole House testifies to House Financial Services Committee on the gaps and opportunities for digital asset regulation

By Carole House

On June 6, Senior Fellow Carole House testified to the House Committee on Financial Services at a hearing titled, “American Innovation and the Future of Digital Assets: From Blueprint to a Functional Framework."

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

Experts