Abraham M. Denmark Joins CSIS as Non-Resident Senior Associate with the Asia Program

Abraham M. Denmark Joins CSIS as Non-Resident Senior Associate with the Asia Program

Photo: CSIS

Press Release - August 26, 2024

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 26, 2024 - The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) today announced that Abraham M. Denmark has joined CSIS as non-resident senior associate with the Asia Program. Denmark is an expert on the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. strategy and defense policy toward the region, and the intersection of global security trends and emerging technologies. He brings significant public, private, and think-tank experience to this position, having served most recently as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense for AUKUS and previously as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia.

"Abe Denmark is a highly respected leader with an outstanding track record as a policymaker and is considered one of the most insightful observers of Indo-Pacific dynamics," said Charles Edel, who holds the Australia Chair at CSIS. "With experience in the academic, public, and private sectors and valuable insights into strategy, Abe will make a tremendous contribution to CSIS's work on the evolving architecture of the Indo-Pacific. We couldn't be more thrilled to welcome him on board."

As senior advisor to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on AUKUS, Denmark led and coordinated the Department of Defense's efforts to implement President Biden's vision for the historic AUKUS partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom. Mr. Denmark was a key architect of the Optimal Pathway for Australia to acquire conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines and led efforts to deepen cooperation among the AUKUS partners in the development and fielding of advanced capabilities.

Prior to joining the Department of Defense, Denmark worked at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars as vice president for programs and director of studies, and as director of the Asia Program. Denmark also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia, earning the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service (2024) and the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service (2017). He currently serves as a senior advisor at The Asia Group. A Colorado native, Denmark received an MA from the University of Denver Korbel School for International Studies and a BA with honors from the University of Northern Colorado. He lives with his wife and children in Maryland.

"I am thrilled to join the extraordinary team at CSIS," said Denmark. "Their insights on geopolitics and the future impact of emerging technologies are unparalleled, and I look forward to working with them to build a greater understanding of the opportunities and challenges we will face during this era of rapid and profound change."

Denmark is the author of U.S. Strategy in the Asian Century: Empowering Allies and Partners (2020 by Columbia University Press).

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