Natasha Kassam

Director, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Program
Areas of expertise

China’s domestic politics; public opinion polling; human rights; Australian foreign policy; Taiwan; Indo-Pacific strategy

Natasha Kassam
Biography
Publications
News and media

Natasha Kassam was Director of the Lowy Institute's Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Program from 2019 to 2022, directing the annual Lowy Institute Poll and researching China’s politics, Taiwan, and Australia-China relations.

She was a Fellow of the ANU National Security College’s Futures Council for 2020-21 and a member of the Advisory Board for the University of Melbourne’s Asian Law Centre. Natasha is a regular contributor to Australian and international media outlets including CNN, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC and The New York Times.

Prior to joining the Lowy Institute, Natasha was an Australian diplomat in China and Solomon Islands. She was a part of the drafting team for the Australian government’s 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons I) and a Bachelor of International Studies from the University of Sydney and speaks Mandarin.

Disinformation and coronavirus
Disinformation and coronavirus
The dilution of information on the internet is currently posing a risk to global health and safety.
China is rewriting coronavirus history and nobody will stop it
Commentary
China is rewriting coronavirus history and nobody will stop it
In an opinion piece published in the Nikkei Asian Review, Natasha Kassam argues that China has leapt on the opportunity to shape the global narrative about its response to…
COVIDcast - Episode 1: The global response to the coronavirus
Podcasts
COVIDcast - Episode 1: The global response to the coronavirus
COVIDcast is a Lowy Institute pop-up podcast for anyone interested in understanding the effect of coronavirus on global politics. Each week for the next few weeks, Lowy Institute…
Covid-19: Nearing a global pandemic?
Covid-19: Nearing a global pandemic?
As cases appear in more and more countries, officials struggle to prevent infections – and to manage public fears.
Politics comes first in China's agony
Commentary
Politics comes first in China's agony
In an opinion piece originally published in the Financial Review, Natasha Kassam argues that China's biggest concern in dealing with the new coronavirus is maintaining stability…
As Wuhan virus spreads, Taiwan has no say at WHO
Commentary
As Wuhan virus spreads, Taiwan has no say at WHO
Chinese pressure keeps Taipei out of international organizations—putting everyone at more risk. Originally published in Foreign Policy.
The absurdity shaping Taiwan’s presidential elections
The absurdity shaping Taiwan’s presidential elections
The country that isn’t a country might one day reunify with the PRC, of which it was never a part. That’s just a start.
Taiwan’s 2020 elections
Research Notes
Taiwan’s 2020 elections
China has lost the battle for public opinion in Taiwan.
Favourites of 2019: Yangyang Cheng
Favourites of 2019: Yangyang Cheng
“When this part of history is written, my people will be remembered for what you have done.”
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