Truly Tinsley

Associate Director, China Power Project
Truly Tinsley

Truly Tinsley is the associate director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Before joining CSIS, Truly worked as an associate in operations for Democracy International, an international development organization. Before joining Democracy International, Truly conducted research for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Public Diplomacy Office. In this role, she provided research for and helped facilitate the release of the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. Before this role, Truly conducted research for the U.S. House of Representatives, the Office of the Mayor of San Antonio, and the United States Senate. Truly’s primary interests are in Chinese foreign policy, track II and public diplomacy, human rights, and U.S. foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific. Truly holds a master’s degree in international affairs from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and Chinese language from Trinity University.

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The Purges Within China’s Military Are Even Deeper Than You Think

This CSIS China Power report is based on a groundbreaking dataset of Chinese military purges since 2022. The report sheds light on the unprecedented scope and reach of these purges and their implications for the PLA’s present and future.

Commentary by Bonny Lin, Brian Hart, Leon Li, Suyash Desai, Truly Tinsley, Linda Yang, and Feifei Hung — February 24, 2026

Is China Leading the Robotics Revolution?

The CSIS China Power Project examines the growing role of robots in China’s economy and the resulting geopolitical impacts from China’s transforming industrial landscape.

Commentary by Hugh Grant-Chapman, Leon Li, Brian Hart, Bonny Lin, Truly Tinsley, and Feifei Hung — February 12, 2026

Surveying the Experts: The State of U.S.-China Relations Entering 2026

The CSIS China Power Project surveyed dozens of former U.S. government officials and leading China experts on key questions relating to U.S.-China relations. This report summarizes the findings of that survey.

Commentary by Bonny Lin, Brian Hart, Truly Tinsley, and Leon Li — January 13, 2026

Audio Briefs

Renewed China-DPRK Diplomacy: Symbolism or Substance?

An audio version of "⁠Renewed China-DPRK Diplomacy: Symbolism or Substance?⁠" a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Victor Cha, Bonny Lin, Andy Lim, and Truly Tinsley. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha, Bonny Lin, Andy Lim, and Truly Tinsley — October 14, 2025

Audio Briefs

Renewed China-DPRK Diplomacy: Symbolism or Substance?

CSIS experts address critical questions regarding Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s recent visit to North Korea and its significance for bilateral ties.

Critical Questions by Victor Cha, Bonny Lin, Andy Lim, and Truly Tinsley — October 14, 2025

CRINK Security Ties: Growing Cooperation, Anchored by China and Russia

This brief utilizes data to explore the strengths and limits of security cooperation among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (CRINK), with a focus on lessons learned from Russia’s war in Ukraine and Iran’s conflicts in the Middle East.

Brief by Bonny Lin, Brian Hart, Leon Li, Hugh Grant-Chapman, Truly Tinsley, and Feifei Hung — September 30, 2025

How Robust Is China’s Energy Security?

Energy security is a key pillar of economic and national security. This ChinaPower feature weighs China’s main energy security vulnerabilities and strengths.

Commentary by Brian Hart, Bonny Lin, Hugh Grant-Chapman, Leon Li, Truly Tinsley, Claire Tiunn, and Peter Dazheng Huang — June 4, 2025

How Severe Are China’s Food Security Challenges?

Food security is fundamentally important to China’s economic security and social stability. This ChinaPower feature explores key strengths and vulnerabilities of China’s food security.

Commentary by Brian Hart, Bonny Lin, Hugh Grant-Chapman, Leon Li, Truly Tinsley, Peter Dazheng Huang, and Claire Tiunn — April 24, 2025