Kate Koren

Deputy Director, Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business
Kate Koren

Kate Koren is deputy director of the Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She brings more than two decades of public service experience advancing U.S. national and economic security at the intersection of technology, trade, and geopolitics. Prior to joining CSIS, Ms. Koren served at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, most recently as acting director of the Office of Technology Evaluation and director of the Foreign Technology Analysis Division. In these roles, she played a central role in the design, coordination, and implementation of U.S. export control policy, working closely with interagency partners and allied governments to protect critical technologies, counter adversarial threats, and analyze the effectiveness of export controls. Earlier in her career, Ms. Koren spent 20 years at the Office of Naval Intelligence, where she served as senior intelligence analyst for technology protection and led the Electronics Division of the Navy’s Foreign Materiel Exploitation Laboratory. She holds a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from Princeton University and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the George Washington University.

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How Iran Smuggles Parts for its Drones | The High Top

In this episode of The High Top, Jon Alterman and Kate Koren examine the cheap commercial chips inside Iran’s weapons, why China and Russia aren’t helping, and what export controls can realistically achieve.

Event — October 7, 2026

Trump Administration Ratchets Up Export Control Penalties

Penalties for export control violations are rising, while government-led training and outreach has slowed, making effective compliance programs more critical than ever. Pending legislation could raise fines even higher. 

Analysis by Kevin Kurland and Kate Koren — September 24, 2026

Entity List Additions Cool to Their Slowest Pace Since 2008

The lack of additions to the Entity List since October 2025 marks a sharp break from years of U.S. geoeconomic strategy. Due to the continually shifting nature of procurement networks, a list that stops expanding tracks fewer relevant actors, eroding its value as a control. 

Analysis by Kate Koren and Brad Spicher — June 29, 2026

Preventing Iran’s Military Reconstitution

Iran’s ability to reconstitute its military depends on its ability to import key materials and equipment. With the UAE’s role as Iran’s central reexport hub up in the air, policymakers have a narrow window to identify and disrupt new procurement routes as they take shape. 

Report by CSIS Scholars — June 23, 2026