Lauren Mai

Program Manager and Research Associate, Southeast Asia Program
Lauren Mai

Lauren Mai is a program manager and research associate for the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. She holds a BA in international relations (specializing in foreign policy and the Asia Pacific) and a BA in political science from Boston University. Prior to joining CSIS in 2023, Lauren spent two years at the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, specializing in private-public sector engagement. Her research interests and expertise include U.S.-ASEAN relations, Vietnam, renewable energy, and climate policy.

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Southeast Asia Radio

Energy Transitions and Climate Developments in Southeast Asia with Jenny Schuch-Page

Greg and Elina are joined by Jenny Schuch-Page to discuss regional energy transitions and climate developments after COP 30. Japhet and Lauren cover the latest from the region, from SCS naval drills to multifaceted cooperation from unlikely partners.

Podcast Episode by Gregory B. Poling, Lauren Mai, and Japhet Quitzon — December 4, 2025

CSIS Southeast Asia Radio
Southeast Asia Radio

Trump at ASEAN with Brian Eyler and Prashanth Parameswaran

Greg and Elina are joined by Prashanth Parameswaran and Brian Eyler to discuss recent summits across the Indo-Pacific, including the ASEAN and East Asia Summits.

Podcast Episode by Gregory B. Poling, Japhet Quitzon, and Lauren Mai — October 30, 2025

CSIS Southeast Asia Radio

The Latest on Southeast Asia: South China Sea Updates

Tensions between China and the Philippines have been elevated for more than two months in the South China Sea and show no signs of abating.

Blog Post by Julia Rocio Gatdula, Lauren Mai, and Gregory B. Poling — October 23, 2025

The Latest on Southeast Asia: Regional Natural Disaster Updates

Three powerful typhoons battered the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, and southern China from late September through early October while a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the Philippines’ Cebu province.

Blog Post by Lauren Mai and Gregory B. Poling — October 9, 2025

The Latest on Southeast Asia: Typhoon Kajiki Updates

The storm, initially anticipated to be as severe as the devastating Typhoon Yagi in 2024, proceeded to develop into a typhoon after stirring over the South China Sea, skirting China’s Hainan province before hitting Vietnam the hardest.

Blog Post by Lauren Mai — August 28, 2025

Southeast Asia Radio

Regional Development Financing with Scott Morris

Greg is joined by Scott Morris, Asian Development Bank Vice President for East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, to discuss the evolving nature of development finance within the region.

Podcast Episode by Gregory B. Poling, Japhet Quitzon, and Lauren Mai — August 21, 2025

CSIS Southeast Asia Radio