Brian Hart

Deputy Director and Fellow, China Power Project
Brian Hart

Brian Hart is deputy director and fellow of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He also helps to lead Hidden Reach, a CSIS special initiative that shines light on underappreciated sources of China's influence through open-source data and satellite imagery. His research focuses on Chinese foreign and security policy, China’s military and defense industrial base, Taiwan security issues, U.S.-China relations, and Chinese technology policy. Brian is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. Prior to joining the CSIS China Power Project, he conducted research at the Project 2049 Institute, the CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies, Trivium China, and Wake Forest University. Brian earned his MA with honors in China studies and international economics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a graduate certificate in China studies from the SAIS Hopkins-Nanjing Center. He received a BA with honors in politics and international affairs from Wake Forest University.

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Troubled Straits: Analyzing Trade Chokepoints in the South China Sea

This CSIS brief offers groundbreaking insight into the value and types of goods flowing through eight different South China Sea chokepoints. The analysis reveals each country’s reliance on each chokepoint and challenges assumptions about their relative importance.

Brief by CSIS Scholars — July 1, 2026

Audio Briefs

New Activity at Possible Chinese Intelligence Facilities in Cuba

An audio version of "⁠New Activity at Possible Chinese Intelligence Facilities in Cuba⁠," a new commentary by CSIS’s Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., and Aidan Powers-Riggs. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., and Aidan Powers-Riggs — June 18, 2026

Audio Briefs

A New Supercarrier Emerges

China’s fourth aircraft carrier is rapidly taking shape at Dalian Shipyard. Satellite imagery reveals a vessel likely to be larger and more advanced than its predecessors, with evidence suggesting it may be China’s first nuclear-powered carrier.

Digital Feature by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — May 21, 2026

Audio Briefs

The U.S.-China Trade Truce Has Not Solved the Gallium Problem

An audio version of “⁠The U.S.-China Trade Truce Has Not Solved the Gallium Problem⁠,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Aidan Powers-Riggs, Brian Hart, and Matthew P. Funaiole. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Aidan Powers-Riggs, Brian Hart, and Matthew P. Funaiole — May 11, 2026

Audio Briefs

How is the Iran War Impacting China's Economy?

This report analyzes the most important economic impacts of the Iran war on China and shows that while China is better positioned than others, the conflict threatens China’s economy in key ways.

Commentary by CSIS Scholars — April 30, 2026

State of Play

Has the Iran war upended U.S.-China negotiations?

Scott Kennedy and Brian Hart join Will to assess the war's impact on President Trump and Xi Jingping's summit.

Podcast Episode by Will Todman, Scott Kennedy, and Brian Hart — April 9, 2026

Photo: iLab/CSIS
ChinaPower

Assessing the Scope and Impacts of Xi’s Military Purges

In this special episode of the China Power Podcast, listen to our recent event assessing Xi Jinping’s widespread purges of China’s military and what they reveal about China’s priorities, dynamics within the PLA, and China’s overall military readiness.

Podcast Episode by Bonny Lin and Brian Hart — February 26, 2026

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