Leah Kieff

Senior Associate (Non-resident), Project on Prosperity and Development
Leah Kieff

Leah Kieff is a senior associate (non-resident) with the Project on Prosperity and Development at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Leah has spent over a decade tackling complex policy and operational challenges in senior roles across executive branch agencies, including but not limited to the Department of Homeland Security, the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, and the White House. Her work across several administrations has focused regionally on the Indo-Pacific and post-Soviet states. She also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Moldova, where she witnessed firsthand the very real geopolitical threats of malign influence across the region. A native of Virginia, she attended the University of Mary Washington for her undergraduate degree and the Naval War College for graduate school. Leah currently works supporting federal cybersecurity policy with a global consulting firm.

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Transnistria: A Conflict Unfrozen but Not Thawed

For the first time in three decades, there is clear and significant momentum toward Transnistrian reintegration, but converting this moment into a permanent solution requires vision, substantial financial resources, and delicate diplomacy.

Critical Questions by Leah Kieff — February 18, 2026

Russian Roulette

The 2025 Moldovan Parliamentary Elections

Max and Maria spoke with Leah Kieff and Vlad Lupan about the outcomes of the recent Moldovan parliamentary elections at the end of September, and why they're significant for both Moldova, and the broader region.

This conversation was recorded on October 14, 2025.

Podcast Episode by Max Bergmann, Maria Snegovaya, and Leah Kieff — October 21, 2025

Russian Roulette podcast logo

Defending Democracy: Why Moldova’s 2025 Parliamentary Elections Matter

On Sunday, September 28, 2025, Moldova will hold pivotal parliamentary elections. This vote comes at a critical juncture for the small European nation, as it continues to navigate complex domestic challenges and struggles to position itself between Europe and Russia.

Commentary by Leah Kieff and Romina Bandura — August 29, 2025

Audio Briefs

Defending Democracy: Why Moldova’s 2025 Parliamentary Elections Matter

An audio version of “⁠Defending Democracy: Why Moldova’s 2025 Parliamentary Elections Matter⁠,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Leah Kieff and Romina Bandura. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 


 

Podcast Episode by Leah Kieff and Romina Bandura — August 29, 2025

Audio Briefs
Audio Briefs

An Energy Crisis Provides Opportunity in Moldova

An audio version of “An Energy Crisis Provides Opportunity in Moldova,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Leah Kieff. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Leah Kieff — January 7, 2025

Audio Briefs

Moldova in the Digital Age

A focus on cybersecurity is especially important as the Moldovan government continues its efforts to digitize more systems and to support the growth of the technology sector.  It is also vital given the significant uptick in cyberattacks in the country.

Report by Daniel F. Runde, Leah Kieff, and Thomas Bryja — December 4, 2024