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. Brian’s 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. 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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How Robust Is China’s Energy Security?

Energy security is a key pillar of economic and national security. This ChinaPower feature weighs China’s main energy security vulnerabilities and strengths.

Commentary by Brian Hart, Bonny Lin, Hugh Grant-Chapman, Leon Li, Truly Tinsley, Claire Tiunn, and Peter Dazheng Huang — June 4, 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

How Severe Are China’s Food Security Challenges?

Food security is fundamentally important to China’s economic security and social stability. This ChinaPower feature explores key strengths and vulnerabilities of China’s food security.

Commentary by Brian Hart, Bonny Lin, Hugh Grant-Chapman, Leon Li, Truly Tinsley, Peter Dazheng Huang, and Claire Tiunn — April 24, 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

How Do Financial Risks Threaten China’s Economic Security?

This ChinaPower feature explores four key vulnerabilities and three strengths in China’s financial security. Taken together, they paint a cloudy picture of Beijing’s long-term prospects of becoming a global financial leader.

Commentary by Hugh Grant-Chapman, Brian Hart, Bonny Lin, Leon Li, and Truly Tinsley — March 28, 2025

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