Bonny Lin is director of the China Power Project and senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Previously, she was the acting associate director of the Strategy and Doctrine Program of RAND Project AIR FORCE and a political scientist at the RAND Corporation, where she analyzed different aspects of China’s foreign and defense policy and U.S. competition with China, including China’s use of gray zone tactics against U.S. allies and partners. Her research advised senior leaders in the Department of Defense, including military leaders at U.S. Pacific Air Forces and U.S. Army Pacific. Dr. Lin also served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense from 2015 to 2018, where she was director for Taiwan, country director for China, and senior adviser for China. Dr. Lin has testified in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee, House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and an adjunct at the RAND Corporation and Institute for Defense Analysis (IDA). Dr. Lin holds a PhD in political science from Yale University, a master’s degree in Asian studies with a focus on China from the University of Michigan, and a bachelor’s degree in government from Harvard College.
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In the News 8 of 110 results
Marco Rubio says 'we're not asking for China's help' with Iran
Bonny Lin appearance on NBC News — May 14, 2026
The World’s 2 Most Powerful Men Are Set to Meet Again. Here’s What to Know.
Bonny Lin cited in The New York Times — May 9, 2026
Scale of Xi’s military purges could hinder China’s ability to fight, says think tank
Bonny Lin cited in CNN — February 25, 2026
Xi’s Purges of China’s Military Run Deep, New Study Shows
Bonny Lin cited in The New York Times — February 24, 2026
Trump has no qualms weighing in on all matters. So why is he silent about Xi’s military purge?
Bonny Lin cited in The Strait Times — January 29, 2026
Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific for 2026: A Conversation With Bonny Lin
Bonny Lin appearance on Taiwan Plus News — January 27, 2026
China's top generals under investigation as country's leader clears out ranks
Bonny Lin cited in NPR — January 26, 2026
Trump Tackles Concerns Over Taiwan Strategy With Massive Weapons Deal
Bonny Lin cited in Wall Street Journal — December 18, 2025
All Bonny Lin Content
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Press Briefing: Previewing the Trump-Xi Summit
Event — September 17, 2026
Part II: Biotechnology in U.S.-China Competition: A Conversation with Caitlin Frazer
Podcast Episode by Bonny Lin — August 27, 2026
Part I: Biotechnology in U.S.-China Competition: A Conversation with Senator Todd Young
Podcast Episode by Bonny Lin — August 13, 2026
Old Friends, New Calculations: A Reset in China-North Korea Relations
Commentary by Victor Cha, Bonny Lin, Truly Tinsley, and Andy Lim — August 6, 2026
China's Moonshot AI’s Kimi K3 and Open AI Strategy: A Conversation with Ngor Luong
Podcast Episode by Bonny Lin — July 30, 2026
Escalating Japan-China Tensions: A Conversation with Kristi Govella
Podcast Episode by Bonny Lin and Kristi Govella — July 17, 2026
Unpacking China’s Recent SLBM Test into the Pacific
Event — July 15, 2026
China’s SLBM Test Underscores the Importance of a Ballistic Missile Launch Notification Agreement
Podcast Episode by Joseph Rodgers, Bonny Lin, and Joseph Lim — July 7, 2026
China’s SLBM Test Underscores the Importance of a Ballistic Missile Launch Notification Agreement
Commentary by Joseph Rodgers, Bonny Lin, and Leon Li — July 7, 2026
China’s Role in Southeast Asia’s Scam Centers: A Conversation with Courtney Weatherby
Podcast Episode by Bonny Lin — July 2, 2026