Aidan Powers-Riggs

Associate Fellow, iDeas Lab
Aidan Powers-Riggs

Aidan Powers-Riggs is an associate fellow with the iDeas Lab at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he primarily supports the Hidden Reach special initiative. Previously, he researched China’s foreign and security policies and U.S.-China tech competition at the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR), the Asia Society Policy Institute, the China Power Project at CSIS, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Aidan earned an MA in Asian studies with an emphasis in politics and security at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS) at Georgetown University. He earned his BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in political science and a minor in professional writing.

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At the Doorstep: A Snapshot of New Activity at Cuban Spy Sites

New satellite imagery offers an updated look at two Cuban signals intelligence sites, including construction of a new circularly disposed antenna array. The two sites are among those most likely to be supporting Chinese intelligence-gathering operations from Cuba.

Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — May 6, 2025

Audio Briefs

Unpacking the White House’s Executive Order on Restoring the U.S. Shipbuilding Industry

An audio version of “Unpacking the White House’s Executive Order on Restoring the U.S. Shipbuilding Industry,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS's  Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — April 11, 2025

Audio Briefs

China Dominates the Shipbuilding Industry

China has rapidly established itself as the world’s dominant shipbuilding power, marginalizing the United States and its allies in a strategically important industry.

Analysis by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — March 25, 2025

Murky Waters: Navigating the Risks of China’s Dual-Use Shipyards

China’s booming dual-use shipyards are accelerating its rapid naval buildup. This Hidden Reach investigation demystifies China’s murky shipbuilding ecosystem and explores the role foreign firms play in supporting it.

Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — March 25, 2025

Ship Wars: Confronting China’s Dual-Use Shipbuilding Empire

China is leveraging its globally dominant commercial shipbuilding industry to support its naval modernization—and foreign companies are inadvertently helping. This report outlines how the United States and its partners can confront China's dual-use shipyards.

Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — March 11, 2025

Audio Briefs

China Makes Progress on Its Fifth Antarctic Research Station

An audio version of “China Makes Progress on Its Fifth Antarctic Research Station,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, Jennifer Jun, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, Jennifer Jun, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — December 20, 2024

Audio Briefs

China Makes Progress on Its Fifth Antarctic Research Station

New satellite imagery, including images captured using synthetic aperture radar, shows recent construction progress at Qinling Station, China's newest research station in Antarctica.

Commentary by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, Jennifer Jun, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — December 19, 2024

China’s Intelligence Footprint in Cuba: New Evidence and Implications for U.S. Security

China’s deepening ties with Cuba are opening doors for its military and intelligence services there. Satellite imagery and other open-source information offer an unprecedented look at facilities in Cuba likely to be supporting China’s efforts to spy on the United States.

Brief by Matthew P. Funaiole, Aidan Powers-Riggs, Brian Hart, Henry Ziemer, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Ryan C. Berg, and Christopher Hernandez-Roy — December 6, 2024

Audio Briefs

China’s Massive Next-Generation Amphibious Assault Ship Takes Shape

An audio version of “China’s Massive Next-Generation Amphibious Assault Ship Takes Shape,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — August 2, 2024

Audio Briefs