James Andrew Lewis

Senior Vice President and Director, Strategic Technologies Program
James Andrew Lewis

James Lewis writes on technology and public policy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he is a senior vice president and directs the Strategic Technologies Program. Before joining CSIS, he was a diplomat and a member of the Senior Executive Service with extensive negotiating, politico-military, and regulatory experience. Lewis developed groundbreaking policies on remote sensing, encryption, high-tech exports, and cybersecurity. He helped organize the Wassenaar Arrangement and led the first U.S. delegation to its Experts Group.

Lewis was rapporteur and senior adviser for four UN Groups of Governmental Experts on Information Security, and his work on norms and confidence-building measures to build stability in cyberspace is foundational. He leads a long-running track 2 dialogue with the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. Lewis has authored numerous publications (for a complete list see here) on technology and digital issues since coming to CSIS, is frequently quoted in the media, and has testified numerous times before Congress. He serves on the board of a network services company. Lewis is the recipient of several awards and received his PhD from the University of Chicago.

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Inside Cyber Diplomacy

2022 in Review

Jim Lewis and Chris Painter review the evolution of cyber in 2022.

Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis and Christopher Painter — January 19, 2023

CSIS Inside Cyber Diplomacy

Government Policies for Open Source Software

The CSIS Strategic Technologies Program on January 10 at 10:00 am for an event on government open source software policies.

Event by James Andrew Lewis , Laura Cunningham , Allan Friedman , Eugenia Lostri , Shelley McKinley , and Frank Nagle — January 10, 2023

Photo: maciek905/ Adobe Stock

Notes on Creating an Export Control Regime

Growing concerns about unregulated technology transfer to China have led to calls for export controls. To produce a functional regime, proposals should include vital components such as links to a larger security agenda, senior leadership, and multilateral involvement.

Commentary by James Andrew Lewis — December 15, 2022

Photo by: BERND LAUTER/POOL/AFP/Getty Images
This Does Not Compute

Emerging Technologies: Regulation and Innovation

In this episode, Jim Lewis speaks with John Smee, Senior Vice President of Engineering at Qualcomm Technologies. They speak about semiconductor regulations, the CHIPS Act, innovation and competition, American 5G implementation, and much more.

Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis — December 9, 2022

CSIS This Does Not Compute

Building Democratic Resilience

The CSIS Strategic Technologies Program hosted a conversation on democratic resilience with Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius.

Event by James Andrew Lewis , Emily Harding , Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius , and Amos Guiora — November 30, 2022

Photo: ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images

Tech Regulation Can Harm National Security

Tech regulation in the European Union has stifled innovation and impacted European economies. Amid growing calls in the United States for regulating big tech, the United States should maintain a regulatory environment that promotes innovation to protect national security.

Commentary by James Andrew Lewis — November 28, 2022

Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
This Does Not Compute

The State of Cybersecurity in Japan

Jim Lewis speaks with Mihoko Matsubara about the current state of Japanese cybersecurity, relations with China, public-private partnerships, cyber threat perceptions, and more.

Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis — November 15, 2022

CSIS This Does Not Compute

TikTok and the First Amendment

Concerns over TikTok’s influence and connection to China continue to grow, but an outright ban would be difficult to execute. The United States should utilize the Committee on Foreign Investment and cloud service requirements to impose oversight and mitigate risk.

Commentary by James Andrew Lewis — November 14, 2022

Photo: STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
Inside Cyber Diplomacy

Accountability and Multilateralism in Israel’s Approach to Cyber Diplomacy

In this episode, co-hosts Jim Lewis and Chris Painter talk with Amir Sagie to discuss he recent OEWG meeting, national cyber strategies, multilateralism and capacity building, accountability mechanisms, and more.

Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis and Christopher Painter — November 9, 2022

CSIS Inside Cyber Diplomacy