Edgard D. Kagan

Senior Adviser and Freeman Chair in China Studies
Edgard Kagan

Ambassador (ret.) Edgard D. Kagan is senior adviser and Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He served as U.S. ambassador to Malaysia for Presidents Trump and Biden from December 2023 until February 2026. He previously served as special assistant to the president and senior director for East Asia and Oceania at the National Security Council. Ambassador Kagan also served as chargé d’affaires and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, as well as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is a former deputy assistant secretary for Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. He has also served as U.S. consul general in Mumbai, India, and as deputy director of the Washington office of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. He was a political officer and then political external unit chief at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. Ambassador Kagan is the recipient of the Presidential Meritorious Award and numerous Department of State performance awards. He speaks Mandarin Chinese and French and holds a BA from Yale University.

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What Xi Wants in Pyongyang: The Capital Cable #135

On The Capital Cable #135, Victor Cha, Oriana Skylar Mastro and Edgard Kagan joins Mark Lippert to assess what Xi Jinping wants in Pyongyang if he visits for the first time since June 2019.

Event — June 5, 2026

Southeast Asia Radio

Trump-Xi Summit Outcomes for Southeast Asia with Amb. Edgard Kagan

On this episode, Greg and Elina were joined by Amb. Edgard Kagan to discuss what the recent Trump-Xi summit means for Southeast Asia. Lauren and Japhet cover the latest, from Indonesian export controls to Luzon Economic Corridor updates.

Podcast Episode by CSIS Scholars — June 5, 2026

CSIS Southeast Asia Radio
State of Play

Is Something Big About to Happen with North Korea?

Victor Cha, Tom Christensen, and Edgard Kagan join Will to discuss a reported visit of Xi Jinping to North Korea.

Podcast Episode by Will Todman, Thomas J. Christensen, Victor Cha, and Edgard D. Kagan — May 29, 2026

Photo: iLab/CSIS
Audio Briefs

Unpacking President Trump’s Visit to China | State of Play

An audio version of "⁠Unpacking President Trump’s Visit to China | State of Play⁠," a new Commentary by CSIS's Edgard D. Kagan and Bonny Lin. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Edgard D. Kagan and Bonny Lin — May 15, 2026

Audio Briefs
State of Play

What did the Trump-Xi Summit Achieve?

Edgard Kagan, Scott Kennedy, and Bonny Lin joined Will to discuss how successful the Trump-Xi summit was.

Podcast Episode by Will Todman, Bonny Lin, Scott Kennedy, and Edgard D. Kagan — May 15, 2026

Photo: iLab/CSIS

Unpacking President Trump’s Visit to China | State of Play

President Trump’s historic state visit to China came amid heightened geopolitical tension surrounding Iran, and both sides entered the talks with sharply different priorities. Even so, the summit produced a framework for deeper cooperation and delivered several economic gains.

Commentary by Edgard D. Kagan and Bonny Lin — May 15, 2026

What the Iran War Means for China and the Global Order | The High Top

China watches the U.S.–Iran war with unease. Jon Alterman and Edgard Kagan explore Beijing’s fears over Hormuz, its read on U.S. power, and how the conflict reshapes China’s view of a global order it relies on but can’t control. Tune in for the full conversation.

Event — May 8, 2026