Monica Sato

Research Associate, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative
5Sato

Monica Michiko Sato is a research associate for the Asia Maritime Security Initiative (AMTI) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She holds an MA in security studies from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Prior to her time at AMTI, she worked for the Atlantic Council’s Asia Security Initiative, CSIS’s Southeast Asia Program, and the Albert del Rosario Institute for Strategic and International Studies. Born and raised in the Philippines, Monica graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University with a BA in diplomacy and international relations, specializing in East and Southeast Asia. Her research interests include maritime security, environmental impacts of state activities in the South China Sea, and U.S.-ASEAN relations.

Programs & Projects

All Monica Sato Content

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China and Vietnam Are Driving Reef Destruction in the South China Sea

Claimants in the South China Sea have created thousands of acres of artificial land to support their competing claims, causing irreparable damage to the marine habitat and leading to calls for international legal action against environmentally destructive practices.

Analysis by Harrison Prétat, Monica Sato, and Gregory B. Poling — January 30, 2025

Southeast Asia Radio

Southeast Asia Radio’s Third Annual Holiday Special

Greg and Elina answer questions from Andreyka Natalegawa, Japhet Quitzon, Leon Cao, Lauren Mai, and Monica Sato for this year’s special holiday episode.

Podcast Episode by Gregory B. Poling, Andreyka Natalegawa, Japhet Quitzon, Lauren Mai, and Monica Sato — December 19, 2024

CSIS Southeast Asia Radio
Southeast Asia Radio

Pacific Airwaves - Walking the Balance Beams

Monica and Andreyka discuss the 10th Pacific Island Leaders Meeting, New Zealand’s engagements with the Solomon Islands, U.S.-China competition in Vanuatu, and other domestic and regional developments.

Podcast Episode by Andreyka Natalegawa and Monica Sato — July 31, 2024

CSIS Southeast Asia Radio
Southeast Asia Radio

Pacific Airwaves - Powers, Partnerships, and Protest

Monica and Andreyka discuss Vanuatu’s constitutional changes, New Zealand and U.S. engagement with the Pacific Islands, Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Australia and New Zealand, and other domestic and regional developments.

Podcast Episode by Andreyka Natalegawa and Monica Sato — June 28, 2024

CSIS Southeast Asia Radio
Southeast Asia Radio

Pacific Airwaves - Navigating Pacific Perils

Monica and Andreyka discuss the landslide in Papua New Guinea, deadly riots in New Caledonia over electoral reforms, the collapse of Air Vanuatu, Australia’s engagements with the new Solomon Islands government and Tuvalu, and other domestic and regional developments. 

Podcast Episode by Andreyka Natalegawa and Monica Sato — May 31, 2024

CSIS Southeast Asia Radio
Southeast Asia Radio

Pacific Airwaves - COFA Negotiations Come to a Close

Monica and Andreyka discuss the passage of COFA funding legislation and request for more Guam defense system funding in the U.S., Wang Yi’s visit to New Zealand, election updates from the Solomon Islands, a torture incident in West Papua, and other domestic and regional developments. 

Podcast Episode by Andreyka Natalegawa and Monica Sato — April 5, 2024

CSIS Southeast Asia Radio
Southeast Asia Radio

Pacific Airwaves - Pacific Perspectives on the Taiwan Election

Monica and Andreyka discuss Pacific reactions to Taiwan's general election, Maori backlash against the Luxon government, Marshall Islands elections, and other domestic updates from the region.

Podcast Episode by Monica Sato and Andreyka Natalegawa — January 30, 2024

CSIS Southeast Asia Radio
Southeast Asia Radio

Deep Blue Scars with Monica Sato and Harrison Prétat

Greg and Elina chat with Monica Sato and Harrison Prétat about their latest digital report on environmental degradation in the South China Sea. Japhet is joined by Tappy Lung, research intern for the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS, to cover the latest from the region.

Podcast Episode by Gregory B. Poling, Harrison Prétat, Monica Sato, and Japhet Quitzon — January 11, 2024

CSIS Southeast Asia Radio
Southeast Asia Radio

Pacific Airwaves - I’ll Have a Blue Pacific Christmas

Monica and Andreyka discuss New Zealand’s new government, Australian defense updates, China-Pacific police cooperation, the Blue Pacific Prosperity initiative at COP28, Marshall Islands elections, and Chinese aid to Kiribati.

Podcast Episode by Monica Sato and Andreyka Natalegawa — December 19, 2023

CSIS Southeast Asia Radio