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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China's Power: Up for Debate 2026

Join in-person or online for one of CSIS's premier annual China conferences. Hear discussions and debates on core issues underpinning China's power and U.S.-China relations. 

Event — October 28, 2026

Takeaways from the Trump-Xi White House Summit

CSIS experts assess the outcomes of the Trump-Xi White House summit in September 2026 and what it means for the future of U.S.-China relations.

Commentary by CSIS Scholars — September 28, 2026

Xi Jinping’s Return to Washington: A State Visit to Build Stability

Xi’s visit to Washington is likely to be heavy on optics and symbolism but light on substantive progress, highlighting both leaders’ conviction that each is the only one who can manage the other and that regular meetings are necessary to stabilize the bilateral relationship.

Critical Questions by Edgard D. Kagan — September 22, 2026

Manila Strategy Forum 2026

The Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, in collaboration with Amador Research Services, is pleased to announce that the 2026 Manila Strategy Forum.
 

Event — September 9, 2026

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