Caitlin Welsh is the director of the Global Food and Water Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where she analyzes the drivers and consequences of food and water insecurity around the world, including for U.S. national security. Her specific areas of focus include the impacts of Russia’s war in Ukraine on global food security and nutrition, food insecurity in the U.S. military, and the coherence between U.S. global water security policy and U.S. global food security policy. Prior to joining CSIS, Ms. Welsh served for over 12 years in the U.S. government, including at the National Security Council and National Economic Council as director for global economic engagement with responsibility for the G7 and G20, and at the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Food Security, where she served as acting director. Ms. Welsh was a presidential management fellow at the U.S. African Development Foundation and a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco. She has testified before Congress on global food security on multiple occasions, and her analysis has been featured in the New York Times, CNN, NPR, PBS, the Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Financial Times, Foreign Policy, BBC, Newsweek, and other outlets. Ms. Welsh received her BA from the University of Virginia and MPA from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and hails from Erie, Pennsylvania.
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
- Paige Montfort
- Media Relations Manager, External Relations
- 202.775.3173
- pmontfort@csis.org
In the News
How bad will things get now that Russia has quit its grain deal with Ukraine?
Caitlin Welsh in Vox — July 20, 2023
The uncertain future of the Black Sea grain deal, explained
Caitlin Welsh in VOX — July 19, 2023
Russia ends grain export deal with Ukraine, raising fears about global food security
Caitlin Welsh in PBS — July 17, 2023
Western Focus Sharpens on China Over Black Sea Grain Deal
Caitlin Welsh in The Cipher Brief — July 17, 2023
Russia halts deal allowing Ukraine to export grain, in a hit to global food security
Caitlin Welsh in LA Times — July 17, 2023
Why allowing Ukraine to ship grain during Russia’s war matters to the world
Caitlin Welsh in AP — July 15, 2023
Russia’s threat to pull out of Ukraine grain deal raises fears about global food security
Caitlin Welsh in AP — July 12, 2023
America’s states are pursuing their own foreign policies
Caitlin Welsh in The Economist — June 1, 2023
All Caitlin Welsh Content
Filter by
Russia Inflicts Grain Pain
Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Caitlin Welsh — July 20, 2023
A Conversation with UN IFAD President Alvaro Lario
Event by John J. Hamre , Caitlin Welsh , Dr. Alvario Lario , and Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) — July 13, 2023
Mitigating Risk and Capturing Opportunity: The Future of Alternative Proteins
Report by Zane Swanson , Caitlin Welsh , and Joseph Majkut — May 11, 2023
Food Security in the Middle East: A Conversation with HE Minister Mariam Almheiri of the UAE
Event by Jon B. Alterman , Caitlin Welsh , and HE Minister Mariam Almheiri — May 10, 2023
Digital Report Launch: The Future Appetite for Alternative Proteins
Event by Caitlin Welsh , Joseph Majkut , Sanah Baig , Genevieve Croft , Jon Bateman , Matt Spence , and Bruce Friedrich — May 4, 2023
The Future Appetite for Alternative Proteins
Digital Report by Caitlin Welsh , Joseph Majkut , and Zane Swanson — May 4, 2023
The Status of Women in Agrifood Systems: An Armchair Discussion with Dr. Lauren Phillips and Dr. Vanya Slavchevska
Event by Caitlin Welsh , Lauren Phillips , and Vanya Slavchevska — April 24, 2023
Investments in the Future: Reversing the Dire State of Maternal Nutrition
Critical Questions by Anita Kirschenbaum , Zane Swanson , and Caitlin Welsh — April 14, 2023
Multiple Micronutrient Supplements: Achieving a critical standard of care for pregnancy in humanitarian settings
Event by Caitlin Welsh , Emily Mates , Dr. Akihiro Seita , Dr. Martin Mwangi , and Jackie Sanders — March 28, 2023
Russia, Ukraine, and Global Food Security: A One-Year Assessment
Critical Questions by Caitlin Welsh — February 24, 2023