Kathryn Paik

Senior Fellow, Australia Chair
Photo: CSIS

Kathryn Paik is a senior fellow with the Australia Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Prior to joining CSIS, Kathryn served in the United States Marine Corps for over 23 years, most recently as the director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific on the National Security Council (NSC) (2021–2023), where she spearheaded numerous initiatives for the administration, including the creation of the first U.S. Pacific Partnership Strategy and the initial U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Summit. Prior to her time at the NSC, Kathryn held a variety of positions as a Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia foreign area officer, including serving as the marine attaché to Indonesia for three years and as a CH-46E combat helicopter pilot, during which she deployed to Iraq and throughout the Indo-Pacific. Kathryn has a master’s in national security affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School and a bachelor of science in systems engineering from the Naval Academy. She speaks Mandarin and Indonesian.

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U.S. Leadership in the Pacific Is at Risk

Funding for COFA states provides Washington with a concrete opportunity for an easy win in the competition with China—but also a test for U.S. global leadership that it cannot fail. 

Commentary by Charles Edel and Kathryn Paik — March 5, 2024

Indo-Pacific Forecast 2024

Join CSIS experts during our annual preview of economic, political, and security developments across the Indo-Pacific region.

Event — January 16, 2024

The Geopolitical Promise of New Zealand’s Conservative Swing

Last October, New Zealand elected its most conservative government in decades and the country's first-ever three-party coalition. This CQ discusses the new government's foreign policy and implications for U.S.-New Zealand relations.

Critical Questions by Kathryn Paik — January 16, 2024

Global Implications of the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting

Leaders from 18 Pacific countries and territories convened at the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting last week. This CQ discusses main outcomes of the meeting, Australia's role in the forum, implications for U.S. policymakers, and challenges ahead for the PIF.

Critical Questions by Kathryn Paik — November 21, 2023