The Economic Statecraft Initiative

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. Coercive and positive economic statecraft measures are increasingly used by the United States, European Union, and their allies and partners to address global challenges.

ESI convenes public events and private roundtable discussions to explore challenges and opportunities, providing policymakers and the private sector with unbiased data-driven analysis and actionable recommendations to shape economic statecraft solutions to global challenges.

The Economic Statecraft Initiative resides within the GeoEconomics Center, a translation hub at the nexus of economics, finance, and foreign policy with the goal of helping shape a better global economic future.

Research and Analysis

Testimony

On February 20, 2025, 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.

Featured Report

The economic statecraft landscape is becoming more complex as transatlantic partners increasingly leverage economic power to counter transnational threats. There is a growing need to understand how these tools are used, by whom, and when, as well as their intended and real impacts worldwide.

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Nov 19, 2021

AC GeoEcon Explores the Sanctions Response to the Belarus-Poland Border Face-Off

By Daniel Fried, Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Distinguished Fellow and former State Dept. Sanctions Coordinator Ambassador Daniel Fried participated in a discussion with Hagar Chemali, Senior Fellow and host of Oh My World, about the state of sanctions from the US & EU toward Belarus in light of the migrant crisis on Poland’s border

Economic Sanctions European Union

EconoGraphics

Nov 2, 2021

Goodbye for now, 232: Breaking down the G20 US-EU agreement on steel and aluminum

By Julia Friedlander, Clete R. Willems

During the G20 summit the US and EU announced an agreement over steel and aluminum tariffs. Julia Friedlander and Non-resident senior fellow Clete Williams react to its implications.

European Union Eurozone

EconoGraphics

Oct 22, 2021

Global Sanctions Dashboard: Halloween edition

By Julia Friedlander, Michael Albanese and Castellum.AI

US’s evolving approach to cryptocurrencies, Pandora Papers; sanctions against Iran, Myanmar, and Russian authorities in Crimea.

Belarus China

New Atlanticist

Oct 20, 2021

US leaders laid down solid and sensible sanctions policy. Now they need to follow through.

By Daniel Fried, Brian O’Toole

The review is smart in addressing the true root causes of sanctions misuse without indulging in clichés such as that sanctions are overused or never work.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

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

Lexicon

Economic Statecraft Lexicon

A comprehensive resource designed to clarify and enhance understanding of key terms and concepts in the economic statecraft field. The Lexicon represents a collaborative effort to support more effective communication and informed decision-making on economic statecraft.

Events

Transatlantic Forum

The Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics is our annual flagship conference convening economic and financial leaders from both sides of the Atlantic, and launches cutting-edge research and analysis on transatlantic alignment on economic statecraft.

Stay Connected

Sign up for initiative highlights, event invites, and analysis

Staff

Fellows