Intelligence Squared Chokepoints: Economic Warfare in the Modern World, with Edward Fishman
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Feb 23, 2025 
Edward Fishman, a leading authority on economic statecraft and a professor at Columbia University, shares insights from his book on economic warfare. He discusses how the U.S. uses economic tools like sanctions to assert its power in global crises. Along with Chris Miller, a Tufts University historian, they examine the complexities of sanctions against countries like Iran and Russia. They also delve into the evolving nature of economic strategies in modern diplomacy and the role of technology in navigating these turbulent times.
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Fishman's Path to Sanctions
- Edward Fishman's interest in economic statecraft stemmed from observing the U.S. struggle to achieve international goals despite being a superpower.
- The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, coupled with the Iranian nuclear program, highlighted the limitations of military force and inspired his exploration of economic tools.
Choke Points and Globalization
- Choke points, crucial for understanding sanctions effectiveness, are areas in the global economy with little redundancy, often controlled by a single state or a small coalition.
- These points of control emerge from globalization, particularly the hyper-globalization of the 1990s, leading to integrated financial markets and supply chains.
Modern vs. Historical Sanctions
- Modern sanctions differ from historical examples because they don't require naval force, lowering the threshold for their use.
- Choke points and expanded U.S. regulatory power enable unilateral economic actions, bypassing multilateral bodies like the UN.
