Matthew P. Funaiole

Vice President, iDeas Lab, Andreas C. Dracopoulos Chair in Innovation and Senior Fellow, China Power Project
Matthew P. Funaiole

Matthew P. Funaiole is vice president of the iDeas Lab, Andreas C. Dracopoulos Chair in Innovation, and senior fellow in the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He specializes in using data-driven research to address complex policy issues, with a focus on Chinese foreign policy, dual-use technology, and maritime trade. In 2022, he launched the “Hidden Reach” initiative, which leverages open-source intelligence to uncover poorly understood sources of Chinese influence and examine how China advances its strategic interests through commercial and scientific ventures. From late 2015 through mid-2020, he was the principal researcher for the ChinaPower website. Prior to joining CSIS, Dr. Funaiole taught international relations and foreign policy analysis at the University of Saint Andrews in Scotland, where he also completed his doctoral research. Dr. Funaiole is also engaged in several creative writing projects, and he is an avid photography enthusiast. 

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A New Supercarrier Emerges

China’s fourth aircraft carrier is rapidly taking shape at Dalian Shipyard. Satellite imagery reveals a vessel likely to be larger and more advanced than its predecessors, with evidence suggesting it may be China’s first nuclear-powered carrier.

Digital Feature by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — May 21, 2026

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The U.S.-China Trade Truce Has Not Solved the Gallium Problem

An audio version of “⁠The U.S.-China Trade Truce Has Not Solved the Gallium Problem⁠,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Aidan Powers-Riggs, Brian Hart, and Matthew P. Funaiole. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Aidan Powers-Riggs, Brian Hart, and Matthew P. Funaiole — May 11, 2026

Audio Briefs

The Strait of Hormuz in 8 Charts

As the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz drags on, new vessel-tracking and trade data reveal the state of play in the strait and explore how the crisis is rattling global markets.

Commentary by Matthew P. Funaiole, Harrison Prétat, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Jasper Verschuur — April 22, 2026

No One, Not Even Beijing, Is Getting Through the Strait of Hormuz

As war chokes off traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, Chinese ships are not getting special treatment. New ship-tracking data shows Chinese vessels have largely halted transits, underscoring Beijing’s exposure to instability in a region critical to its energy security.

Commentary by Harrison Prétat, Monica Sato, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Matthew P. Funaiole — March 6, 2026

Audio Briefs

No One, Not Even Beijing, Is Getting Through the Strait of Hormuz

An audio version of “⁠No One, Not Even Beijing, Is Getting Through the Strait of Hormuz⁠,” a new Commentary by Harrison Prétat, Monica Sato, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Matthew P. Funaiole. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Harrison Prétat, Monica Sato, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Matthew P. Funaiole — March 6, 2026

Audio Briefs

In China’s Orbit: Beijing’s Space Diplomacy in the Global South

China is using its dual-use space industry to lock in long-term influence across the Global South, creating strategic, economic, and security dependencies that will shape the future balance of power in orbit.

Digital Feature by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — January 15, 2026

U.S. Policies Only Temporarily Shake China's Shipbuilding Dominance

New U.S. policies aimed at curtailing China’s growing dominance over global shipbuilding went into effect on October 14. The rollout of these measures over the past year triggered temporary volatility in international ship ordering behavior but has not yet produced lasting change in China’s market position.

Analysis by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — October 16, 2025

Are U.S. Policies Eroding China’s Dominance in Shipbuilding?

Washington is ramping up efforts to challenge China’s dominance in global shipbuilding, but newly analyzed data shows shipping companies are still turning to Chinese yards despite looming U.S. penalties.

Commentary by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — September 24, 2025