Aidan Powers-Riggs

Associate Fellow for China Studies, iDeas Lab
Aidan Powers-Riggs

Aidan Powers-Riggs is an associate fellow for China Studies 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.

Programs & Projects

In the News

All Aidan Powers-Riggs Content

Filter by

1 - 10 of 24 results

U.S. Policies Only Temporarily Shake China's Shipbuilding Dominance

New U.S. policies aimed at curtailing China’s growing dominance over global shipbuilding went into effect on October 14. The rollout of these measures over the past year triggered temporary volatility in international ship ordering behavior but has not yet produced lasting change in China’s market position.

Analysis by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — October 16, 2025

Audio Briefs

Are U.S. Policies Eroding China’s Dominance in Shipbuilding?

An audio version of "⁠Are U.S. Policies Eroding China’s Dominance in Shipbuilding?⁠," a new Commentary 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 — September 24, 2025

Audio Briefs

Are U.S. Policies Eroding China’s Dominance in Shipbuilding?

Washington is ramping up efforts to challenge China’s dominance in global shipbuilding, but newly analyzed data shows shipping companies are still turning to Chinese yards despite looming U.S. penalties.

Commentary by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — September 24, 2025

Beyond Rare Earths: China’s Growing Threat to Gallium Supply Chains

Two years after China imposed export controls on gallium—a critical input for semiconductors, radar, and defense systems—this brief assesses how the restrictions have impacted supply chains amid escalating U.S.-China economic competition.

Brief by Aidan Powers-Riggs, Brian Hart, Matthew P. Funaiole, Scott Thomsett, Simon Zieleniewski, and Tim Rose — July 17, 2025

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