Bonny Lin is a senior fellow for Asian security and director of the China Power Project 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.
Media Queries
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In the News
China Increases Defense Budget, Adopts Tougher Language for Taiwan
Bonny Lin in Voice of America — March 4, 2024
China steps up Taiwan pressure campaign with more balloons
Bonny Lin in Axios — January 24, 2024
China Isn't Going to Put the Squeeze on Taiwan's New Leader for Now. He Doesn't Have a Mandate.
Bonny Lin and Lily McElwee in Barron's — January 17, 2024
Beijing fears unpredictability of Trump-Lai combination: analyst
Bonny Lin and Victor Cha in Nikkei — January 17, 2024
On GPS: How will Taiwan's election affect US-China tensions?
Bonny Lin in CNN — January 15, 2024
Xi’s comments on reunification could influence Taiwan’s upcoming election
Bonny Lin in NBC News: Meet the Press — December 20, 2023
Biden and Xi agree to restore some military-to-military communications between the US and China
Bonny Lin in AP — November 16, 2023
Biden aims for improved military relations with China when he meets with Xi
Bonny Lin in AP — November 15, 2023
All Bonny Lin Content
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Analyzing China’s Escalation after Taiwan President Tsai’s Transit through the United States
Brief by Bonny Lin, Brian Hart, Samantha Lu, Hannah Price, and Matthew Slade — June 29, 2023
Managing Crises between the U.S. and China: A Conversation with Xin Qiang and Dennis Wilder
Podcast Episode by Bonny Lin — June 21, 2023
The G7 Summit and U.S.-China Competition for Influence: A Conversation with Michael J. Green
Podcast Episode by Bonny Lin — June 6, 2023
China’s Approach to Artificial Intelligence: A Conversation with Gregory C. Allen
Podcast Episode by Bonny Lin and Gregory C. Allen — May 24, 2023
Hand-Off: The Evolution of U.S. Policy in Asia
Event — May 23, 2023
U.S.-China Competition and Indo-Pacific Security
Event — May 12, 2023
China’s Capabilities in Space: A Conversation with Kari Bingen
Podcast Episode by Bonny Lin and Kari A. Bingen — May 12, 2023
TikTok and U.S.-China Technology Competition: A Conversation with Caitlin Chin
Podcast Episode by Bonny Lin and Caitlin Chin-Rothmann — April 27, 2023
Analyzing China’s Escalation after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s 2023 U.S. Transit
Commentary by Bonny Lin, Brian Hart, Samantha Lu, Hannah Price, and Matthew Slade — April 26, 2023