James Andrew Lewis

James Lewis writes on technology and strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Before joining CSIS, he was a diplomat and a member of the Senior Executive Service. Lewis has a track record of being among the first to identify new tech and security issues and devise polices to address them. He developed groundbreaking policies on cybersecurity, remote sensing, encryption, spectrum management, and high-tech exports to China, including 5G, software, and semiconductors. He also helped create the Wassenaar Arrangement. Lewis was a senior adviser for four UN Groups of Governmental Experts on Information Security, and his work on norms to build stability in cyberspace is foundational. He leads a long-running track 2 dialogue with the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. His current work looks at how countries innovate and at digitalization and its political, economic, and security effects. Early in his career, Lewis was a political adviser to two combatant commanders.
Lewis has authored numerous publications since coming to CSIS (see the full list here). He is frequently quoted in the media, has served on several federal advisory committees, and has testified numerous times before Congress. He received his PhD from the University of Chicago.
Areas of Expertise
Media Queries
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In the News
China Is Full of Risks. So Why Can’t Corporate America Leave?
James Andrew Lewis in New York Times — September 8, 2023
U.S. lawmakers raise alarm over new Huawei phone
James Andrew Lewis in Yahoo News — September 7, 2023
Rite Aid deployed facial recognition systems in hundreds of U.S. stores
James Andrew Lewis in Reuters — September 6, 2023
China’s quantum tech quest: ‘limited’ fallout expected from Biden’s investment curbs
James Andrew Lewis in South China Morning Post — August 13, 2023
Government watchdog finds U.S. embassies running software vulnerable to attacks
James Andrew Lewis in Politico — August 4, 2023
Exclusive: A Baltimore musician was hired to organize a protest. He says he never knew his client had links to pro-China operatives
James Andrew Lewis in CNN — July 26, 2023
As Japan aligns with U.S. chip curbs on China, some in Tokyo feel uneasy
James Andrew Lewis in Reuters — July 24, 2023
Will Congress still ban TikTok four months after hearing?
James Andrew Lewis in Spectrum News — July 18, 2023
All James Andrew Lewis Content
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Global Foresight: Preparing for Future Trends
Inside the Department of Treasury’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis
Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis — August 21, 2023

The Current State of the CLOUD Act
Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis — August 15, 2023

“Cyberattack on Civilian Critical Infrastructure in a Taiwan Scenario”: Audio Brief with James Lewis
Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis — August 14, 2023

Cyberattack on Civilian Critical Infrastructures in a Taiwan Scenario
Report by James Andrew Lewis — August 11, 2023
Cloud Computing in Southeast Asia and Digital Competition with China
Report by James Andrew Lewis — August 7, 2023
The Proposed United Nations Cybercrime Convention
Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis and Christopher Painter — August 7, 2023

Accelerating Federal Cloud Adoption for Modernization and Security
Report by James Andrew Lewis — July 28, 2023
The European Commission’s Proposed Ruling on Standard Essential Patents
Commentary by James Andrew Lewis and Julia Brock — July 26, 2023
AI and Rumors of Impending Doom
Commentary by James Andrew Lewis — July 5, 2023