
Caitlin Welsh is the director of the Global Food Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where she analyzes the economic, political, social, and environmental drivers and consequences of food insecurity in the United States and around the world. Her specific areas of focus include the impacts of Russia’s war in Ukraine on global food security, the relationship of food security to climate change and water security, food insecurity in the U.S. military, and malnutrition in all its forms. Prior to joining CSIS, Ms. Welsh had over a decade of experience in the U.S. government, including the National Security Council and National Economic Council, where she served as director for global economic engagement with responsibility for the G7 and G20, and the Department of State’s Office of Global Food Security, where she served as acting director. Ms. Welsh served as a presidential management fellow at the U.S. African Development Foundation and as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco. She has testified before Congress on global food security on multiple occasions, and her analysis has been featured in the New York Times, CNN, NPR, PBS, the Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Financial Times, Foreign Policy, BBC, Newsweek, and other outlets. Ms. Welsh received her BA from the University of Virginia and MPA from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and hails from Erie, Pennsylvania.
Media Queries
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- 202.775.3242
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In the News
America’s states are pursuing their own foreign policies
Caitlin Welsh in The Economist — June 1, 2023
Russia agrees to extend Ukraine grain deal in a boost for global food security
Caitlin Welsh in Associated Press — May 18, 2023
China Won’t Let Russia Starve the World
Caitlin Welsh in Foreign Policy — May 17, 2023
Russia Renews Black Sea Grain Initiative in Last-Minute Negotiations
Caitlin Welsh in Foreign Policy — May 17, 2023
Wheat Is the New Fault Line for Ukraine in Europe
Caitlin Welsh in Foreign Policy — April 20, 2023
Crunch Time Looms for Black Sea Grain Export Deal
Caitlin Welsh in Foreign Policy — March 17, 2023
Soils of war: The toxic legacy for Ukraine's breadbasket
Caitlin Welsh in Reuters — March 1, 2023
China is buying up more U.S. farmland. Some lawmakers consider that a security threat
Caitlin Welsh in NPR — March 1, 2023
All content by Caitlin Welsh
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Mitigating Risk and Capturing Opportunity: The Future of Alternative Proteins
Report by Zane Swanson , Caitlin Welsh , and Joseph Majkut — May 11, 2023
Food Security in the Middle East: A Conversation with HE Minister Mariam Almheiri of the UAE
Event by Jon B. Alterman , Caitlin Welsh , and HE Minister Mariam Almheiri — May 10, 2023
Digital Report Launch: The Future Appetite for Alternative Proteins
Event by Caitlin Welsh , Joseph Majkut , Sanah Baig , Genevieve Croft , Jon Bateman , Matt Spence , and Bruce Friedrich — May 4, 2023
The Future Appetite for Alternative Proteins
Digital Report by Caitlin Welsh , Joseph Majkut , and Zane Swanson — May 4, 2023
The Status of Women in Agrifood Systems: An Armchair Discussion with Dr. Lauren Phillips and Dr. Vanya Slavchevska
Event by Caitlin Welsh , Lauren Phillips , and Vanya Slavchevska — April 24, 2023
Investments in the Future: Reversing the Dire State of Maternal Nutrition
Critical Questions by Anita Kirschenbaum , Zane Swanson , and Caitlin Welsh — April 14, 2023
Multiple Micronutrient Supplements: Achieving a critical standard of care for pregnancy in humanitarian settings
Event by Caitlin Welsh , Emily Mates , Dr. Akihiro Seita , Dr. Martin Mwangi , and Jackie Sanders — March 28, 2023
Russia, Ukraine, and Global Food Security: A One-Year Assessment
Critical Questions by Caitlin Welsh — February 24, 2023
The Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS): Keynote Address and Armchair Discussion with Dr. Cary Fowler with Special Remarks from Ambassador Cindy McCain
Event by Dr. Cary Fowler , Ambassador Cindy McCain , John J. Hamre , and Caitlin Welsh — February 1, 2023
Recognizing the Role of Food Safety to Food and Nutrition Security with Caroline Smith DeWaal
Podcast Episode by Caitlin Welsh — December 16, 2022
