Michael Kovrig Senior Adviser, Asia Please submit all media inquiries to media@crisisgroup.org Crisis Group Role Michael’s role at Crisis Group involves research, analysis and advocacy on Indo-Pacific geopolitics and security, politics and foreign policies of China and Asia-Pacific countries, non-Asian states' foreign policies on Asia and multilateral diplomacy. Professional background Michael Kovrig is a former Canadian foreign service officer who previously served for more than a decade as a diplomat in China and at the United Nations, and as a senior desk officer covering international security at Canada's foreign ministry in Ottawa. He has worked in several countries in roles including strategic communications specialist for the UN Development Group, researcher on China for the firm that is now Rhodium Group, and earlier as a journalist and foreign correspondent in Eastern Europe. Michael has a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University. Areas of Expertise Asia-Pacific/Indo-Pacific geopolitics and security China U.S. and EU foreign policy on China and Asia United Nations Multilateral diplomacy Languages Chinese (fluent) French (fluent) Select Publications China Expands Its Peace and Security Footprint in Africa The Future is Now for China’s Challenges and Xi Jinping’s Ambitions Deep Freeze and Beyond: Making the Trump-Kim Summit a Success The Korean Peninsula Crisis (I): In the Line of Fire and Fury The Korean Peninsula Crisis (II): From Fire and Fury to Freeze-for-Freeze The Twists and Turns along China’s Belt and Road Central Asia’s Silk Road Rivalries In The News 23 Oct 2018 U.S.-China relations have deteriorated to their worst point since the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in Beijing. Miami Herald Michael Kovrig Senior Adviser, Asia 2 Jul 2018 [Pyongyang is] trying to encourage China to lobby for the sanctions to be lifted and to provide financial help, trade and investment. China’s long-standing policy has bee... South China Morning Post Michael Kovrig Senior Adviser, Asia 13 Jun 2018 I think Kim wanted to win the hearts [of people] and draw some sympathy for himself and his regime, as part of an effort to weaken resolve to maintain sanctions and press... South China Morning Post Michael Kovrig Senior Adviser, Asia 25 May 2018 Kim is already trying to move closer to China, and further uncertainty about the U.S. will likely make him more willing to offer concessions to Beijing. If Kim refrains f... South China Morning Post Michael Kovrig Senior Adviser, Asia 26 Feb 2018 [China's leader Xi Jinping could build on a centralised party-state system]. Whether that is good for the world depends on whether [he] makes the right decisions. South China Morning Post Michael Kovrig Senior Adviser, Asia 23 Jan 2018 A deal whereby Pyongyang freezes its most sensitive tests and Washington freezes some military exercises could help de-escalate the crisis and buy time for diplomacy. South China Morning Post Michael Kovrig Senior Adviser, Asia Latest Updates Commentary / Asia 24 October 2018 China Expands Its Peace and Security Footprint in Africa Also available in 简体中文 Op-Ed / Asia 24 July 2018 National Ambitions Meet Local Opposition Along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Commentary / Asia 23 May 2018 Trilateral North East Asia Summit Signals a Return to Cooperation Also available in 简体中文 Op-Ed / Asia 13 May 2018 How A Long-awaited Hotline Could Pave the Way For Calmer China-Japan Relations Also available in 简体中文 Op-Ed / Asia 11 April 2018 Why China Should Help Solve Venezuela’s Deepening Crisis Also available in 简体中文 Commentary / Asia 30 March 2018 China Moves Centre Stage in Korean Peninsula Peace Efforts Also available in 简体中文 Load more