Lawfare Archive: ‘Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare,’ with Edward Fishman
Summary
Scott R. Anderson interviews Edward Fishman, author of *Choke Points*, about the evolution of U.S. economic statecraft. They discuss how globalization created financial vulnerabilities that the U.S. weaponizes, shifting power from naval blockades to regulatory enforcement. The conversation covers case studies involving Iran, Russia, and China, highlighting the need for better institutional planning and political honesty regarding domestic economic costs.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and introduction to economic warfare
Edward Fishman's background and book Choke Points
Fishman's career in Treasury and Iran sanctions
The concept of choke points in economic statecraft
Evolution of sanctions from counterterrorism to state rivalry
Need for strategic planning and institutional capacity
Political risks and domestic backlash of sanctions
Sponsors: Bill.com, AT&T, Bombas, and Ro
Private sector overcompliance and sanction precision
Multilateralism vs. unilateral sanctions and dollar dominance
De-dollarization risks and China's digital currency
Export controls and enforcement challenges
The impossible trinity of economic security and competition
Outro and final sponsor messages
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