Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe by Niall Ferguson review
(Evening Standard) – From plagues and volcanic eruptions to the current Covid pandemic, mankind has always been faced with catastrophes.
Thought Leader: Niall Ferguson
Edward Fishman on Economic Chokepoints
In this edition of Global Institute Dialogues, Edward Fishman, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare, joins Goldman Sachs Global Institute Vice President Wilson Shirley for a wide-ranging discussion on the rise of economic statecraft and its implications for global business.
Fishman explains how hyperglobalization transformed the global economy into one defined by “chokepoints”—areas of concentrated power such as the U.S. dollar, advanced semiconductors, rare-earth minerals, and cloud infrastructure. These chokepoints allow countries to impose significant economic harm without resorting to military force, making economic warfare a central feature of today’s geopolitical landscape rather than a peripheral risk.
The conversation traces the evolution of U.S. economic strategy from sanctions designed to change adversaries’ behavior to longer-term policies aimed at weakening rivals’ industrial and technological capabilities. Fishman also examines how countries like China have adapted, building their own economic arsenals and exposing new vulnerabilities within the global system. As economic coercion spreads, supply chains, financial networks, and technology platforms have become key battlegrounds.
Looking ahead, Fishman argues that economic warfare is reshaping the global order in ways that undermine trust and stability, while creating new risks for companies operating across borders. He urges business leaders to treat geopolitical risk as a first-order concern—one that demands proactive planning, diversified supply chains, and independent assessments of where future chokepoints may emerge.
Edward Fishman is one of the world’s foremost experts on economic statecraft, with deep experience shaping U.S. foreign policy. His New York Times–bestselling book Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare is widely regarded as definitive and essential to understand how sanctions, tariffs, and export controls are reshaping the world. A Columbia University scholar, he brings sharp, timely insights into how economic warfare is transforming geopolitics and the business landscape. His ability to translate complex global dynamics into compelling narratives makes him a standout keynote speaker for any audience. Contact us today to learn more.
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