Brian Hart is deputy director and fellow of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He also helps to lead Hidden Reach, a CSIS special initiative that shines light on underappreciated sources of China's influence through open-source data and satellite imagery. His research focuses on Chinese foreign and security policy, China’s military and defense industrial base, Taiwan security issues, U.S.-China relations, and Chinese technology policy. Brian is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. Prior to joining the CSIS China Power Project, he conducted research at the Project 2049 Institute, the CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies, Trivium China, and Wake Forest University. Brian earned his MA with honors in China studies and international economics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a graduate certificate in China studies from the SAIS Hopkins-Nanjing Center. He received a BA with honors in politics and international affairs from Wake Forest University.
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In the News 8 of 91 results
Delayed Trump-Xi Summit Gives Fresh Grievances Room to Grow
Brian Hart cited in Bloomberg — March 31, 2026
China’s Military Has Quietly Cut Flying Near Taiwan. But Why?
Brian Hart cited in The New York Times — March 11, 2026
China's military has a leadership problem, and it's serious
Brian Hart cited in Business Insider — February 2, 2026
Civilian or military? China turns to merchant fleet to boost military power.
Brian Hart cited in The Japan Times — January 12, 2026
China commissions Fujian aircraft carrier
Brian Hart cited in DW News — November 7, 2025
China shipyard orders strong despite US port fees on China vessels, report says
Brian Hart cited in Reuters — September 25, 2025
Xi, Putin, Kim and the optics of a new world order
Brian Hart cited in The Guardian — September 6, 2025
Could China’s hi-tech military display help it surpass Russia in arms sales?
Brian Hart cited in South China Morning Post — September 4, 2025
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Assessing the Scope and Impacts of Xi’s Military Purges
In this special episode of the China Power Podcast, listen to our recent event assessing Xi Jinping’s widespread purges of China’s military and what they reveal about China’s priorities, dynamics within the PLA, and China’s overall military readiness.
Podcast Episode by Bonny Lin and Brian Hart — February 26, 2026
China’s Carriers Increasingly Venture Beyond the First Island Chain
The Chinese military is steadily building up a “blue water” navy capable of operating farther from China’s shores.
Analysis by Bonny Lin, Brian Hart, Truly Tinsley, and Leon Li — February 25, 2026
Assessing the Scope and Impacts of Xi’s Military Purges
Join the CSIS China Power Project for a virtual event to discuss the widespread purges in the PLA and what they reveal about China’s strategic priorities and overall military readiness.
Event — February 24, 2026
Assessing Xi’s Unprecedented Purges of China’s Military: Key Developments and Potential Implications
This report brings together top experts on China’s military to assess Xi Jinping’s unprecedented purge of officers from all areas of its armed forces. Experts predict what this means for military readiness, modernization goals, and the reconstitution of the high command.
Report by CSIS Scholars — February 24, 2026
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 CSIS Scholars — 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 CSIS Scholars — February 12, 2026
Tracking China’s Increased Military Activities in the Indo-Pacific in 2025
Analysis of open-source data shows that China’s military activities in the Indo-Pacific region increased in both operational tempo and geographical reach.
Commentary by Bonny Lin, Brian Hart, and Truly Tinsley — February 5, 2026
What Does the Trump Administration’s New National Defense Strategy Say About China?
An audio version of “What Does the Trump Administration’s New National Defense Strategy Say About China?,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Bonny Lin and Brian Hart. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.
Podcast Episode by Bonny Lin and Brian Hart — January 26, 2026
What Does the Trump Administration’s New National Defense Strategy Say About China?
The Trump administration released its long-awaited National Defense Strategy on January 23. Here is how to interpret what the strategy says about China.
Critical Questions by Bonny Lin and Brian Hart — January 26, 2026
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 Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — January 15, 2026
