Monica Sato

Research Associate, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative
5Sato

Monica Michiko Sato is a research associate for the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She holds an MA in security studies from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Prior to her time at AMTI, she worked for the Atlantic Council’s Asia Security Initiative, CSIS’s Southeast Asia Program, and the Albert del Rosario Institute for Strategic and International Studies. Born and raised in the Philippines, Monica graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University with a BA in diplomacy and international relations, specializing in East and Southeast Asia. Her research interests include maritime security, environmental impacts of state activities in the South China Sea, and U.S.-ASEAN relations.

Programs & Projects

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No One, Not Even Beijing, Is Getting Through the Strait of Hormuz

As war chokes off traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, Chinese ships are not getting special treatment. New ship-tracking data shows Chinese vessels have largely halted transits, underscoring Beijing’s exposure to instability in a region critical to its energy security.

Commentary by Harrison Prétat, Monica Sato, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Matthew P. Funaiole — March 6, 2026

Audio Briefs

No One, Not Even Beijing, Is Getting Through the Strait of Hormuz

An audio version of “⁠No One, Not Even Beijing, Is Getting Through the Strait of Hormuz⁠,” a new Commentary by Harrison Prétat, Monica Sato, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Matthew P. Funaiole. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Harrison Prétat, Monica Sato, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Matthew P. Funaiole — March 6, 2026

Audio Briefs
Southeast Asia Radio

Pacific Airwaves - Politics and Power in the Pacific

John and Monica discuss ocean governance, China’s growing influence in the region, and domestic political dynamics across the Pacific.

Podcast Episode by Monica Sato and John Augé — February 26, 2026

CSIS Southeast Asia Radio
Audio Briefs

Rhetoric vs. Reality: The Philippines, ASEAN, and the South China Sea

An audio version of “⁠Rhetoric vs. Reality: The Philippines, ASEAN, and the South China Sea⁠,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Monica Sato. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Monica Sato — November 7, 2025

Audio Briefs
Southeast Asia Radio

Pacific Airwaves - Rivalry, Resilience, and Regional Unity

Monica and Andreyka discuss great power rivalry in the Pacific, climate change, and domestic politics in Nauru and the Solomon Islands.

Podcast Episode by Andreyka Natalegawa and Monica Sato — October 30, 2025

CSIS Southeast Asia Radio
Audio Briefs

The Risks of U.S. Deep-Sea Mining

An audio version of “⁠The Risks of U.S. Deep-Sea Mining⁠,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Harrison Prétat and Monica Sato. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Harrison Prétat and Monica Sato — August 26, 2025

Audio Briefs

The Risks of U.S. Deep-Sea Mining

The United States has begun taking steps to secure its access to seabed minerals. But U.S. unilateral mining on the high seas poses grave risks to the rules-based regional order.

Commentary by Harrison Prétat and Monica Sato — August 26, 2025