VictorD. Cha
President, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Korea Chair, CSIS
Distinguished University Professor, D.S. Song-KF Chair, Georgetown University
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Photograph · CSIS
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Latest from both shows · 86 + 143 episodes
On Air
The Impossible State
Latest episode
▶
Brewing Korea Crisis? Mines, Missiles, & POWsOct 8, 2026 · The Impossible State
The Capital Cable
Latest episode
▶
Taking Command: The U.S.-Korea OPCON DebateOct 5, 2026 · The Capital Cable #143
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Nine books · Asia, the two Koreas, alliances, sport & coercion
The Books
New · Reviewed in Foreign Affairs
China's Weaponization of Trade
Resistance Through Collective Resilience
This pathbreaking book comprehensively documents how Beijing uses its market power to try to force international actors to align with Chinese policy preferences. . . . It is a detailed blueprint for action that will be invaluable for policymakers and business leaders around the world.Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs
Signature work · Foreign Affairs Best Book on the Asia-Pacific, 2012
The Impossible State
North Korea, Past and Future
An up-close, insightful portrait. . . . The Impossible State is a clearheaded, bold examination of North Korea and its future.The Washington Post
2026
China's Weaponization of Trade
Columbia University Press
2025
North Korea's Sea-Based WMD Capability
Bloomsbury
2024
The Black Box
Columbia University Press
2023
Korea: A New History of South and North
Yale University Press
2012
The Impossible State
HarperCollins Ecco
2016
Powerplay
Princeton University Press
2009
Beyond the Final Score
Columbia University Press
2003
Nuclear North Korea
Columbia University Press
1999
Alignment Despite Antagonism
Stanford University Press
03
Op-eds & Foreign Affairs · selected list
The Columns
CSIS · Aug 2026
After Iran: A Scenario for Renewed Trump-Kim Summitry
North Korea
CSIS · Aug 2026
Old Friends, New Calculations: A Reset in China-North Korea Relationswith Bonny Lin, Truly Tinsley, and Andy Lim
China
CSIS · Jun 2026
Who Are the G7's Top Performers?
Global Order
CSIS · Jun 2026
The 2026 World Cup: Sports and Conflict
Sport
CSIS · Jun 2026
Strategic Clarity: Reassessing the Value of China to Korea
China
Foreign Affairs · May 2026
Why Japan and South Korea Won't Go Nuclear
Deterrence
Foreign Affairs · Apr 2026
North Korea as It Is: The Case for a Cold Peace
North Korea
Foreign Affairs · Jan 2026
South Korea Can Stand Up to China
China
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5,124 media mentions · 865 outlets · 21 languages
On Screen
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Before Congress & allied governments
Testimonies
Sep 2026
The Long Arm of China and North Korea's RepressionHouse Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific
House
Mar 2025
Shared Threats: Indo-Pacific Alliances and Burden Sharing in Today's Geopolitical EnvironmentSenate Foreign Relations Committee
Senate
Dec 2024
DPRK-Russia Axis and the War in UkraineNATO Headquarters, Brussels
NATO
Oct 2024
COVID-19 in North KoreaU.S. State Department · human rights testimony
State
Oct 2024
Security on the Korean PeninsulaSenate Foreign Relations Committee
Senate
Center for Strategic and International Studies
I lead the CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department
As president of the department, I oversee CSIS’s regional and functional programs on Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and the global order: the largest concentration of foreign policy expertise at the Center.
Also at CSIS
Korea Chair · Beyond Parallel · The Impossible State · The Capital Cable.