Geopolitics and Foreign Policy

The CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department examines the key political, economic, security, and societal trends shaping the future of global governance and institutions.

With deep regional expertise and strong global relationships across Africa, Americas, Europe, Eurasia, Russia, Indo-Pacific, and Middle East, our experts offer comprehensive analysis to guide policymakers in navigating the evolving challenges to U.S. global leadership.

Africa Asia China Middle East Americas Europe Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Global Governance and Institutions Geopolitics and International Security Allies and Partners Maritime Issues and Oceans

Meet Our Experts and Programs

Featured Podcast

State of Play

The world order has been disrupted, and a new international system is emerging. Hosted by Will Todman, State of Play unpacks the biggest geopolitical developments of the week. Every episode brings together CSIS’s leading regional experts to explore how global power is shifting, how allies and adversaries are responding, and what it all means for the future of international order.

State of Play is produced by Cera Baker.

Podcast Series

Featured Analysis
All Department Analysis

Photo: Fabio Murgia/CSIS; assets from Getty Images

Commentary

The Sudan War in 10 Charts

Commentary by CSIS Scholars — April 17, 2026

Page

Geopolitical Implications of the War with Iran

Commentary

North Korea As It Is: The Case for a Cold Peace

Commentary — April 21, 2026

Report

Resilience Through Linkage: Russia, Iran, and Aspirations for North–South Trade

Report by Maria Snegovaya, Tina Dolbaia, and Nicholas Fenton — April 16, 2026

Commentary

Why “Mowing the Grass” Won’t Work in Iran

Commentary by Mona Yacoubian — April 17, 2026

Victor Cha

President of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Korea Chair

Dr. Victor Cha is the President of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department at CSIS and serves as the CSIS Korea Chair. He is also the distinguished university professor and professor of government at Georgetown University.

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Department Experts

Nicholas Szechenyi

Vice President, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Senior Fellow, Japan Chair

Thomas J. Christensen

Pritzker Chair, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department

Charles Edel

Senior Adviser and Australia Chair

Edgard D. Kagan

Senior Adviser and Freeman Chair in China Studies

Kristi Govella

Senior Adviser and Japan Chair

Bonny Lin

Director, China Power Project and Senior Adviser

Mona Yacoubian

Director and Senior Adviser, Middle East Program

Max Bergmann

Director, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and Stuart Center

Oge Onubogu

Director and Senior Fellow, Africa Program

Gregory B. Poling

Director and Senior Fellow, Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative

Will Todman

Chief of Staff, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department; and Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

Christopher Hernandez-Roy

Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Americas Program

Kathryn Paik

Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Australia Chair

Henrietta Levin

Senior Fellow, Freeman Chair in China Studies

Maria Snegovaya

Senior Fellow, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program

Matthew P. Funaiole

Vice President, iDeas Lab, Andreas C. Dracopoulos Chair in Innovation and Senior Fellow, China Power Project

Brian Hart

Deputy Director and Fellow, China Power Project

Diego Marroquín Bitar

Fellow, Americas Program

Yuko Nakano

Associate Director, U.S.-Japan Strategic Leadership Program and Fellow, Japan Chair

Harrison Prétat

Deputy Director and Fellow, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative

Donatienne Ruy

Fellow, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program

Jonathan Burchell

Visiting Fellow, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program

Astrid Chevreuil

Visiting Fellow, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program

Federico Steinberg

Visiting Fellow, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program

All Staff and Experts

Featured Book

China’s Weaponization of Trade

In recent years, China and the United States have each turned economic interdependence into an instrument of coercion, using their dominant positions in international trade to push states and firms to comply with their political goals. What is distinctive about this form of economic pressure, and how can other countries fight back?

In a new book, CSIS Korea Chair experts shed new light on how China exercises economic power—and provide a playbook to deter bullies and rebalance the global order.

Learn more

Featured Project

A New CRINK Axis of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea?

Using original data scraping analysis, infographics, and satellite imagery, CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department experts assess the degree and substantive nature of changing alignment patterns among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (CRINK), and the challenges they pose to global governance.