Edward Fishman

  • Leading Authority on Economic Statecraft
  • Author of 'Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare'
  • Former Top Sanctions Official at the U.S. State Department
  • Senior Research Scholar and Adjunct Professor at Columbia University

Edward Fishman is one of the world’s leading authorities on economic statecraft and sanctions. He teaches at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and is a senior research scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy. He also advises companies on geopolitical strategy and invests in early-stage technology startups. His first book, Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare, will be published by Portfolio/Penguin Random House in February 2025.

Between 2011 and 2017, Fishman served in key foreign policy roles across the U.S. government. At the State Department, he served as a member of the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff, where he advised Secretary John Kerry on Europe and Eurasia and led the staff’s work on economic sanctions, long-range strategic planning, and international order and norms. Fishman was also the Russia and Europe Lead in the State Department’s Office of Economic Sanctions Policy and Implementation, where he played a central role in designing and negotiating international sanctions in response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Earlier, Fishman served as a member of the Iran sanctions team, where he developed policies to strengthen sanctions against Iran and maintain pressure during the negotiations that led to the Iran nuclear deal. Outside of the State Department, Fishman has served at the Pentagon as special assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Treasury Department as special assistant to the Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, and at Foreign Affairs as a member of the editorial staff. Fishman is a recipient of the State Department’s Superior Honor Award (twice) and its Meritorious Honor Award, having been recognized for his contributions to U.S. policy toward Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and Iran.

Fishman’s analysis is regularly featured by outlets such as The New York TimesThe Wall Street JournalThe Washington Post, and NPR, and he frequently writes for publications such as Foreign Affairs and Politico. He holds a B.A. in History from Yale, an M.Phil. in International Relations from Cambridge, and an M.B.A. from Stanford. He lives with his wife and two children in New York City.

 

Edward Fishman  headshot
Past Hosts Include:
  • Morgan Stanley
  • New York Forum on Economic Sanctions
  • Yale University
  • Naval War College
  • Indiana Council on World Affairs
  • Ergo Global Flashpoints Roundtable at the Metropolitan Club
  • Center for a New American Security
  • Central Synagogue
Rave Reviews About Edward Fishman
We were thrilled to have an expert like Eddie available to our community. While we had all been worried about the news from Ukraine following Russia's invasion, that news was rarely accompanied by thoughtful analysis. Eddie brought his deep expertise to an audience of more than 100 congregants, and gave us an engaging and clear presentation. He avoided jargon and conventional wisdom, instead focusing on historic and geopolitical context, as well as his own expert read of the situation. He ably handled all of the questions put to him, and left all of us feeling like we had a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the situation in Ukraine.

A Community Conversation on Ukraine With Edward Fishman | Central Synagogue - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Edward Fishman

The Rise of Sanctions in U.S. Foreign Policy: Past, Present, and Future

How Economic Warfare is Reshaping the World Order

Deep Dive on Russia: Inside the Campaign to Stop Putin’s War Machine

Deep Dive on Iran: Inside the Campaign to Roll Back Iran’s Nuclear Program

Deep Dive on China: Inside the Campaign to Blunt China’s Economic Aggression

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Biography

Edward Fishman is one of the world’s leading authorities on economic statecraft and sanctions. He teaches at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and is a senior research scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy. He also advises companies on geopolitical strategy and invests in early-stage technology startups. His first book, Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare, will be published by Portfolio/Penguin Random House in February 2025.

Between 2011 and 2017, Fishman served in key foreign policy roles across the U.S. government. At the State Department, he served as a member of the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff, where he advised Secretary John Kerry on Europe and Eurasia and led the staff’s work on economic sanctions, long-range strategic planning, and international order and norms. Fishman was also the Russia and Europe Lead in the State Department’s Office of Economic Sanctions Policy and Implementation, where he played a central role in designing and negotiating international sanctions in response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Earlier, Fishman served as a member of the Iran sanctions team, where he developed policies to strengthen sanctions against Iran and maintain pressure during the negotiations that led to the Iran nuclear deal. Outside of the State Department, Fishman has served at the Pentagon as special assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Treasury Department as special assistant to the Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, and at Foreign Affairs as a member of the editorial staff. Fishman is a recipient of the State Department’s Superior Honor Award (twice) and its Meritorious Honor Award, having been recognized for his contributions to U.S. policy toward Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and Iran.

Fishman’s analysis is regularly featured by outlets such as The New York TimesThe Wall Street JournalThe Washington Post, and NPR, and he frequently writes for publications such as Foreign Affairs and Politico. He holds a B.A. in History from Yale, an M.Phil. in International Relations from Cambridge, and an M.B.A. from Stanford. He lives with his wife and two children in New York City.


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