The World October 10, 2025
Jonathan Czin was interviewed by NPR “The World’s” Carolyn Beeler about the significance of China’s new rare earths export controls.
Jonathan A. Czin is the Michael H. Armacost Chair in Foreign Policy Studies and a fellow in the John L. Thornton China Center. He is a former member of the Senior Analytic Service at CIA, where he was one of the intelligence community’s top China experts.
Czin led the intelligence community’s analysis of Chinese politics and policymaking, playing a central role in assessing and briefing senior policymakers on President Xi Jinping, his rise to power, and decisionmaking on an array of key issues and crises. From 2021 till 2023, he was director for China at the National Security Council, where he advised on, staffed, and coordinated White House and inter-agency diplomacy with the People’s Republic of China, including all of President Biden’s interactions with President Xi, and played a leading role in addressing a wide range of global China issues.
He also served as advisor for Asia-Pacific security affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and overseas at a CIA field station in Southeast Asia. Czin holds a master’s in international relations from Yale University, graduated magna cum laude from Haverford College, and studied at Oxford University. He is proficient in Mandarin Chinese.
Affiliations:
- Ergo, senior advisor
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Past Positions
- Senior China Analyst, Central Intelligence Agency
- Director for China, National Security Council
- Advisor for Asia-Pacific Security Affairs, Office of the Secretary of Defense
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Education
- M.A., Yale University
- B.A., Haverford College
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Languages
- Chinese (proficient)
Media and Appearances
BBC October 10, 2025
[President Xi is] looking for ways to seize the initiative. The Trump administration is having to play a game of whack-a-mole and deal with these issues as they come up.
Politico September 19, 2025
The only clear agreement today appears to be on when the two leaders will next meet in person: in late October, at a summit in South Korea. And even that might have been a win for Xi.
Reuters September 3, 2025
The [military] parade allows Xi to focus the world’s attention on its impressive strides in modernizing its military hardware, while overshadowing the stubborn challenges afflicting the..."
CNN September 3, 2025
[China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea’s attendance at the parade was] disconcerting [and allowed them to present] a facade of partnership. However, it is likely a symbolic high-water..."
The Washington Post September 2, 2025
The reversal of fortunes for Miao and others who climbed the ranks under Xi reflects a broader shift in Chinese politics where Xi wants to manage cleavages among various acolytes. With..."
New York Times August 30, 2025
The success of Xi’s foreign policy strategy is reflected in the parade of leaders traveling to China. Indeed, Xi today probably feels more besieged by visiting heads of state than..."
Center for Strategic and International Studies July 7, 2025
Jonathan Czin joined an expert discussion at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on the rule of law in China 10 years after the 709 crackdown.
New York Times June 12, 2025
I think China is very comfortable with this cycle of economic skirmishing with the United States followed by episodes of diplomacy that merely return to the status quo ante.
New York Times June 12, 2025
I think China is very comfortable with this cycle of economic skirmishing with the United States followed by episodes of diplomacy that merely return to the status quo ante.
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