Brian Waidelich

Brian Waidelich is currently the CNA field analyst to Commander, US Seventh Fleet and recently completed a two-year deployment with Commander, Task Force 70/Carrier Strike Group Five. His research portfolio ashore in Japan and underway on the US Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier has included exercise assessment, unmanned systems employment, Red force analysis, and artificial intelligence applications.

At CNA, Brian has led and contributed to studies on topics including strategic competition, naval logistics, commercial space, ally and partner integration, and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) operations and activities. His recent publications outside CNA include a book chapter on PLA Navy organization and articles on China’s approach to maritime governance, the functions of the PLA Navy Party Committee, and the adoption of defense AI by Japan and South Korea.

Brian received a Master of Arts in Asian studies from Georgetown University. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese and a Bachelor of Arts in English from George Mason University. He speaks Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish.