Inside the CIA: Confronting China’s Digital Strategy

Inside the CIA: Confronting China’s Digital Strategy

From Smart Women, Smart Power by CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies

August 27, 2025 · 48 min

About this episode

This episode explores Jennifer Ewbank's leadership in the CIA's digital innovation team and its focus on countering China's digital strategy.

When Jennifer Ewbank was chosen to lead the CIA’s digital innovation team, she quickly made the strategic decision to center its digital mission around countering China’s comprehensive national digital strategy — a threat widely underestimated at the time within the U.S. government. On this episode, Host Kathleen McInnis digs into the “why” of this story and dives in deeper on Jennifer’s career in the CIA and State Department.

People in this episode

Host: Kathleen McInnis

Guest: Jennifer Ewbank

Topics covered

  • digital strategy
  • national security
  • China
  • CIA
  • innovation

Keywords

  • CIA
  • digital innovation
  • China's national digital strategy
  • U.S. government
  • State Department

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Inside the CIA: Confronting China’s Digital

Places: China, U.S.

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