Kate Koren

Deputy Director, Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business
Kate Koren

Kate Koren is deputy director of the Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She brings more than two decades of public service experience advancing U.S. national and economic security at the intersection of technology, trade, and geopolitics. Prior to joining CSIS, Ms. Koren served at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, most recently as acting director of the Office of Technology Evaluation and director of the Foreign Technology Analysis Division. In these roles, she played a central role in the design, coordination, and implementation of U.S. export control policy, working closely with interagency partners and allied governments to protect critical technologies, counter adversarial threats, and analyze the effectiveness of export controls. Earlier in her career, Ms. Koren spent 20 years at the Office of Naval Intelligence, where she served as senior intelligence analyst for technology protection and led the Electronics Division of the Navy’s Foreign Materiel Exploitation Laboratory. She holds a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from Princeton University and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the George Washington University.

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What's Powering the Russian War Machine?

In this episode of The Trade Off, Kate Koren speaks with Damien Spleeters and Maria Snegovaya about sanctions decay, import substitution, and how to further degrade Russia's defense industry.

Event — November 10, 2026

2026 Elections: New Congress, New Trade Agenda?

Kate Koren, Bill Reinsch, and Meredith Broadbent discuss how the 2026 elections may shape U.S. trade policy, from tariffs and trade agreements to congressional trade tools.

Event — November 6, 2026

South Korea: Export Nation or Ecosystem Power?

This inaugural CESTA examines South Korea's most significant economic security challenges, the role of advanced technologies in shaping its national power, and opportunities to strengthen its position along with other market economies within the emerging economic order.

Report by CSIS Scholars — November 5, 2026

How Iran Smuggles Parts for its Drones | The High Top

In this episode of The High Top, Jon Alterman and Kate Koren examine the cheap commercial chips inside Iran’s weapons, why China and Russia aren’t helping, and what export controls can realistically achieve.

Event — October 7, 2026

Trump Administration Ratchets Up Export Control Penalties

Penalties for export control violations are rising, while government-led training and outreach has slowed, making effective compliance programs more critical than ever. Pending legislation could raise fines even higher. 

Analysis by Kevin Kurland and Kate Koren — September 24, 2026

Entity List Additions Cool to Their Slowest Pace Since 2008

The lack of additions to the Entity List since October 2025 marks a sharp break from years of U.S. geoeconomic strategy. Due to the continually shifting nature of procurement networks, a list that stops expanding tracks fewer relevant actors, eroding its value as a control. 

Analysis by Kate Koren and Brad Spicher — June 29, 2026