Monica Michiko Sato

佐藤美智子

Hello, I’m Monica (she/her). Hailing from the Philippines, I now live in Washington, D.C. with my two rescue cats, Dango and Mikan.My professional experience focuses on international relations, specifically maritime security and unconventional warfare. I also nerd out over psychology, philosophy, and their intersections with pop culture.

About Me

Monica Michiko Sato is a research associate for the Asia Maritime Security Initiative (AMTI) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She holds an MA in Security Studies and a certificate in Asian Studies from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.Prior to her time at AMTI, Monica worked for the Atlantic Council’s Asia Security Initiative, CSIS’ Southeast Asia Program, and 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. She is fluent in English and Tagalog and has working proficiency in Japanese.

Full CV and resume available upon request via email

Education

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (on leave of absence)
Doctor of Philosophy, International Psychology, concentration in Systems and Organizations, January 2021 to January 2023Georgetown University, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service
Master of Arts, Security Studies, concentration in International Security, January 2018 to December 2019
Thesis: Omnibalancing: The Philippines’ Balancing Strategy Amid the U.S.-China Competition in Southeast Asia
Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Patterson
Certificate Program, Asian Studies, January 2018 to December 2019Ateneo de Manila University
Bachelor of Arts, Diplomacy and International Relations, concentration in East and Southeast Asia Studies, June 2013 to May 2017

Publications

Monica Sato, Harrison Prétat, Tabitha Mallory, Hao Chen, and Gregory Poling, “Deep Blue Scars: Environmental Threats to the South China Sea,” Center for Strategic and International Studies – Features, December 18, 2023.Monica Sato, Gregory Poling, and Jared Tupuola, “President Marcos Goes to Washington,” Center for Strategic and International Studies – Commentary, May 4, 2023.Monica Michiko Sato, Miyeon Oh, James Hildebrand, Harry W.S. Lee, and Fumika Mizuno, “Build an Atlantic-Pacific Partnership,” Atlantic Council: NATO 20/2020 (October 14, 2020).Monica Michiko Sato and Adrien Chorn, “Maritime Gray Zone Tactics: The Argument for Reviewing the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” Center for Strategic and International Studies: New Perspectives in Foreign Policy 18 (October 1, 2019).Monica Michiko Sato, “Duterte’s Domestic Political Grip Lessens Unpredictability of Philippine Foreign Policy,” Center for Strategic and International Studies: cogitASIA, June 25, 2019.Monica Michiko Sato and Timothy Robbins, “China’s Paramilitary Navy Just Sank a Philippine Fishing Boat (and the U.S. Said Nothing),” The Buzz – The National Interest, June 22, 2019.

Podcasts

Monica Sato and Andreyka Natalegawa, “I’ll Have a Blue Pacific Christmas,” December 19, 2023, in Pacific Airwaves, produced by Marla Hiller, published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.Monica Sato and Andreyka Natalegawa, “A Sea of Pacific Perspectives,” November 21, 2023, in Pacific Airwaves, produced by Marla Hiller, published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.Monica Sato and Andreyka Natalegawa, “Voted Off the Islands,” October 26, 2023, in Pacific Airwaves, produced by Marla Hiller, published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.Monica Sato and Andreyka Natalegawa, “Summiting Challenges in the Pacific,” September 28, 2023, in Pacific Airwaves, produced by Marla Hiller, published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.Jared Tupuola and Monica Sato, “Bleu Pacific,” August 22, 2023, in Pacific Airwaves, produced by Marla Hiller, published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.Jared Tupuola and Monica Sato, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” July 25, 2023, in Pacific Airwaves, produced by Marla Hiller, published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.Karen Lee and Jared Tupuola, interview with Monica Sato, “External Powers in the Pacific,” June 20, 2023, in Pacific Airwaves, produced by Marla Hiller, published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.Terry Schultz, interview with James Hildebrand, Harry W.S. Lee, and Monica Michiko Sato, “Build an Atlantic-Pacific Partnership,” January 12, 2021, in NATO 20/2020, published by the Atlantic Council.

Professional Experience

Center for Strategic and International Studies
Research Associate – Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, February 2023 to presentAtlantic Council, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security
Program Assistant – Asia Security Initiative, April 2020 to January 2021Center for Strategic and International Studies
Graduate Researcher – Southeast Asia Program, January to August 2019Georgetown University, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service
Research Assistant – Dr. Oriana Skylar Mastro, May to December 2018
Research Assistant – Dr. Kimberley Roberts, May to December 2018Stratbase – Albert del Rosario Institute for Strategic and International Studies
Research Assistant, August to December 2017Philippine House of Representatives
Political Affairs Assistant, May to August 2017Asia Society Philippines
Global Initiatives Intern, August to December 2016U.S.-Asia Institute
Political Affairs Assistant, June to August 2016

Contact

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