Monica Michiko Sato (@_mmsato) header
Monica Michiko Sato (@_mmsato) profile picture

Research Associate for @AsiaMTI @CSIS. Maritime & environmental security, SE Asia & Pacific Islands. RT≠E.

Washington, DC
Joined May 2017
Photo by Monica Michiko Sato (@_mmsato)
Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
Nice, timely analysis here from @_mmsato. 2026 will be a key year for the Philippines diplomacy, in ASEAN, and with external partners. Australia is inexplicably missing, though, which adds to my sense that there needs to be more public messaging from Canberra & Manila.
In her latest commentary, @_mmsato examines how Manila’s expanding defense partnerships reveal a pragmatic strategy that goes beyond ASEAN’s consensus-based diplomacy in the South China Sea. cs.is/4qLphyq
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
In her latest commentary, @_mmsato examines how Manila’s expanding defense partnerships reveal a pragmatic strategy that goes beyond ASEAN’s consensus-based diplomacy in the South China Sea. cs.is/4qLphyq
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
The International Criminal Court formally charges ex-PH pres Rodrigo Duterte with 3 counts of crimes vs humanity over 78 killings during the bloody drug war he waged from when he was Davao City mayor up to his presidency. Thousands died in Duterte’s drug war. @straits_times
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
China declares a nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal—on an area of reef already devastated by Chinese clam harvesting. cs.is/3Vo4lPH
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
Washington is taking steps toward seabed mining in the Pacific. But, if it’s not careful, its efforts could lead to a more dangerous Indo-Pacific, argue AMTI’s Harrison Prétat and @_mmsato: cs.is/4lEIMF7
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
With the race for critical minerals accelerating, Washington is eyeing several paths toward deep sea mining—but each comes with normative and environmental risks. AMTI explores the state of seabed mining in the Pacific: cs.is/3Z9mNxL
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
AMTI’s @GregPoling and @_mmsato argue that, despite increasing tensions in the South China Sea last year, China has failed to deter other claimant states from improving their positions. See their latest commentary for @east_asia_forum: eastasiaforum.org/2025/03/12…
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
Despite the China Coast Guard being as active as ever in the South China Sea in 2024, Beijing’s patrols have been largely unsuccessful in changing the behavior of other claimants. Read more in AMTI’s latest feature: cs.is/4jPzaYs
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
AMTI and @SoutheastAsiaDC Director @GregPoling argues that utilizing a UN General Assembly vote would expand the Philippines' options for arbitration on the South China Sea: cs.is/3PxpBjc
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
Awareness of China’s maritime militia and their confrontations with the Philippines has grown. Though their presence is known, details about their size and composition remain unclear. More from @AsiaMTI on militia activities in the South China Sea: amti.csis.org/behind-the-cur…
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
AMTI has expanded its list of known and suspected Hainan-based maritime militia from 69 to 152. Read more about our latest feature: cs.is/4gqZBBX
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
Satellite imagery and AIS data show that the China Coast Guard has been shadowing an Indonesian gas survey in the South China Sea since October 16 and remains on site, despite the efforts of Indonesian navy and law enforcement: cs.is/4hr0xHo
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
The Philippines’ fragile energy outlook threatens to undermine its strategic autonomy, but Washington has options to turn this vulnerability into a source of allied strength. Read the full report on energy security and the U.S.-Philippine alliance: cs.is/4f8Sxsm
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
Shifts in tactics by Chinese coast guard and militia in 2024 have led to more damage being sustained by Philippine vessels, more injuries to Philippine personnel, and a higher risk of escalation at Second Thomas Shoal: cs.is/4fOOa77
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
New #PacificAirwaves episode! Join AMTI's @_mmsato and @SoutheastAsiaDC's @a_natalegawa as they discuss the 10th Pacific Island Leaders Meeting, sovereign risks in the Pacific, U.S., Chinese, and NZ engagements in the region, and more: cs.is/3yx0esC
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
Opportunity alert! AMTI is looking for a full-time intern for Fall 2024. If you are passionate about maritime security issues in the Asia Pacific, motivated, and have strong research and writing skills, this is your chance. Apply now: careers.csis.org/opportuniti…
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
Earlier this week, Michelle and I called our friend @KamalaHarris. We told her we think she’ll make a fantastic President of the United States, and that she has our full support. At this critical moment for our country, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure she wins in November. We hope you’ll join us.
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
Could China’s increased military activity around Taiwan be diverting resources from its intrusions into Japan’s ADIZ in the East China Sea? AMTI dives into the latest data: cs.is/4dhNAwr
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Monica Michiko Sato retweeted
Tune in to the latest #PacificAirwaves episode, as AMTI's @_mmsato and @SoutheastAsiaDC's @a_natalegawa discuss Vanuatu’s constitutional changes, New Zealand and U.S. engagement with the Pacific Islands, Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visits, and more: cs.is/3zwTOKb
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