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Defense and National Security News
From Washington
National Security Correspondent, The Washington Times
China's military builds new multi-missile launcher for mass salvos against Taiwan, report warns
July 7, 2026 China's military recently built two new multiple missile launch systems that appear capable of firing massive numbers of ballistic and cruise missiles at Taiwan or against regional U.S. and allied forces, according to a new Air Force think tank report.
Trump administration accuses China of nuclear proliferation after submarine missile test
July 6, 2026 The Trump administration on Monday criticized China for conducting a test launch of a provocative submarine-launched, nuclear-capable missile that the State Department called a sign of Beijing's continuing arms buildup.
Defense of Taiwan is essential to defeat China's communist regime and liberate the Chinese people
July 2, 2026 The United States remains a bastion of freedom and democracy. But American leaders have failed for decades to understand and counter the most serious threat to our existence: the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the nation it rules, the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Space Force adds new mobile satellite jammer
July 2, 2026 A new electronic warfare system called Meadowlands is now operational and capable of disrupting enemy satellites, the Space Force announced Friday.
Marco Rubio orders deportation of Cuban communist influence agent
July 1, 2026 Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled the legal residency status of what the State Department on Wednesday called a major communist influence agent and ordered the national and his family deported to Cuba.
Report: Marxist tycoon is funding a China-backed influence campaign against AI data centers
June 30, 2026 A China-based American tycoon is funding a Beijing-backed influence campaign in the U.S. to block construction of large computer data centers, according to a new think tank report.
Chinese, Russian nuclear-capable bombers conduct saber-rattling 'strategic' patrol
June 29, 2026 Strategic bombers and warplanes from China and Russia conducted a joint strategic patrol over the Sea of Japan, East China Sea and western Pacific on Saturday, drawing scrambled U.S. and allied intercepts and protests from Japan and South Korea.
U.S. urgently rebuilding deterrence amid growing dual nuclear threats from China, Russia
June 25, 2026 The Energy Department is urgently working to strengthen U.S. nuclear weapons capabilities as dual threats from China and Russia mount, according to the administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Tensions rise at disputed South China Sea shoal
June 25, 2026 Chinese-Philippine tensions were raised over China's recent placement of some type of floating platform near the Scarborough Shoal, a resource-rich islet claimed by both Beijing and Manila.
Senators urge Energy Secretary Chris Wright to block Chinese access to U.S. labs
June 25, 2026 Two senators urged Energy Secretary Chris Wright to crack down on Chinese nationals' gaining access to sensitive information at Energy national laboratories.
DNI says new documents show intelligence agencies covered up lab origin of COVID
June 19, 2026 Former government infectious disease leader Anthony Fauci provided millions of American taxpayer dollars to China's Wuhan Institute of Virology where the virus behind COVID-19 pandemic likely began, the Office of Director of National Intelligence said in releasing new documents on the controversy.
Iran says its missiles not part of peace talks
June 18, 2026 The Iranian government announced Thursday that limits on its large force of ballistic missiles will not be part of negotiations with the U.S. during talks following the signing of a peace deal.
Chinese AI poses serious and growing threat to U.S. national security, report reveals
June 18, 2026 Advanced artificial intelligence systems now being used by China are a major threat to American national security, according to a think tank report.
Indo-Pacific Command chief sounds alarm on China war threat in private report to Congress
June 16, 2026 The commander of the Indo-Pacific Command has warned Congress that the danger of war with China is growing and the U.S. military urgently needs new arms and capabilities to prevent a conflict, according to a report to Congress obtained by The Washington Times.
DNI rebukes faulty intelligence analyses of Havana Syndrome
June 12, 2026 Outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard revoked two U.S. intelligence reports on brain injuries suffered by U.S. diplomats and intelligence personnel called Havana Syndrome, an official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said Friday.
Senate intelligence chairman seeks federal probe of Chinese AI-related influence operation
June 11, 2026 China is engaged in a covert influence campaign to prevent the development of U.S. data centers needed for artificial intelligence capabilities, according to the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
Security firm says China stepping up AI tech cybertheft
June 11, 2026 Chinese hackers are increasing cyberattacks aimed at stealing advanced artificial intelligence technology in the United States, according to a report by the security company CrowdStrike.
FBI shutters covert Chinese websites targeting secrets
June 10, 2026 Federal authorities shut down 13 internet domains on Wednesday, which were said to be used by China for operations to obtain classified and sensitive U.S. government information, the Justice Department said.
American who helped China gather secrets pleads guilty
June 5, 2026 An American who worked for Beijing state media pleaded guilty on Thursday to acting as an unregistered agent of China in helping obtain secrets for the Chinese intelligence service.
FBI, MI5 warn against stepped-up Chinese military spying
June 4, 2026 Chinese military intelligence services are using Western professional networking platforms and online job sites to obtain secrets, according to a threat notice issued by the FBI, Britain's MI5 security service and three other allied security agencies.
Hegseth: U.S. reverting to Cold War balance of power security strategy in Asia
May 30, 2026 The U.S. will prevent China from dominating the Indo-Pacific by enhancing military power and increasing backing from regional allies but with less confrontational rhetoric, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a speech Saturday.
Commander of U.S. Forces Korea calls South Korea a 'dagger' aimed at China
May 29, 2026 American military power in South Korea represents "a dagger" pointed at China, according to the commander of U.S. Forces Korea.
Congressional report reveals China's continuing nuclear, missile proliferation
May 28, 2026 Chinese companies are continuing to sell nuclear weapons and missile-related systems and goods to Russia, North Korea and Iran, according to a Congressional Research Service report.
Boots on the moon: Report urges Space Force deployment to counter China
May 28, 2026 The Space Force must plan to deploy troops on orbiting space stations and at bases on the moon to prevent China from winning the new space race and controlling outer space, according to a report by an aerospace think tank.
FBI: American who worked for Chinese state media is an illegal foreign agent
May 26, 2026 The FBI has accused an American who worked for Chinese state media of acting illegally as an agent of the Chinese intelligence services in seeking secrets from a U.S. official, according to court documents.
Trump upends long-standing U.S. defense policy on Taiwan
May 18, 2026 President Trump is challenging a long-standing U.S. policy toward Taiwan after his two-day visit to China by announcing he may restrict a multibillion-dollar arms package for the island democracy in a bid to improve relations with Beijing.
Rubio dismisses Xi's warning of a potential clash over Taiwan
May 14, 2026 Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Chinese warnings of a conflict over Taiwan during the summit in Beijing have not altered the U.S. policy of supporting the island democracy.
Chinese President Xi expected to push Trump on Taiwan concessions as Iran conflict set to reignite
May 12, 2026 President Trump's summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week will be long on ceremony but short on deliverables, with potential risks for American security, analysts predict.
Feds urge greater protection of critical infrastructure from Chinese hacks
May 7, 2026 American critical infrastructures are vulnerable to Chinese sabotage and the federal government is taking steps to mitigate the threats, according to the lead U.S. cybersecurity agency.
Rubio: U.S. to discuss Taiwan at China summit
May 7, 2026 President Trump and top aides will discuss the flash point issue of Taiwan at the upcoming summit meeting in Beijing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday.
Pentagon paying Chinese-linked firm to vet Beijing military threats, critics warn
May 5, 2026 The Pentagon's counterintelligence agency is contracting a company with ties to China's state financial infrastructure to identify threats posed by military companies -- entities that Beijing could use to hide dangers, national security analysts disclosed to The Washington Times.
China's space threat includes tracking U.S. troops
April 30, 2026 A Chinese artificial intelligence company has been tracking U.S. military operations in the Middle East, threatening U.S. forces engaged in the conflict in Iran, according to congressional testimony made public Wednesday.
Golden Dome weapons to attack enemy missiles with new high-tech interceptors, lasers, cyberattacks
April 29, 2026 The Golden Dome will employ advanced ground-based interceptors, space-based missiles, laser guns and cyberattacks to defend against threats to the U.S., according to officials.
Space Force announces plan to rapidly deploy space-based anti-missile interceptors
April 24, 2026 The Space Force announced it is spending $3.2 billion through 12 defense contractors to rapidly build the first U.S. system of high-technology, space-based anti-missile interceptors.
Security agencies say Chinese hackers using hijacked networks for large-scale cyberattacks
April 23, 2026 Chinese hacking groups linked to large-scale cyberattacks and intrusions of critical infrastructure are using covert computer networks for their operations, according to a British government security report made public Thursday.
Adm. Paparo, Indo-Pacific commander, weighs in on Chinese military's use of AI
April 23, 2026 The commander of the Indo-Pacific Command told Congress that the Chinese People's Liberation Army is already using artificial intelligence to enhance the combat power of its forces.
U.S. Navy to deploy modular containers carrying payloads of weapons, drones for swarming
April 23, 2026 The Navy is developing weapons and other military systems to be deployed inside shipping containers and used on both drone ships and traditional warships, according to Navy officials.
Pacific commander says victory over Iran needed to deter Chinese attack on Taiwan
April 21, 2026 A U.S. victory in the war with Iran will help deter a Chinese military assault on Taiwan, the commander of the Indo-Pacific Command told Congress Tuesday.
Chinese fentanyl exports, lock on rare earths to top Trump's agenda at summit with Xi
April 20, 2026 President Trump will press China on its export of deadly fentanyl and related chemicals during a meeting next month with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, according to a senior Trump administration trade official.
Military intelligence chief: Iran military still has thousands of missiles, attack drones
April 17, 2026 Iran's military forces still hold stockpiles of thousands of missiles and attack drones that pose a threat to U.S. and allied forces in the region, the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency told Congress.
Space Force report predicts future conflict with China
April 16, 2026 China is rapidly building up space warfare capabilities and, by 2040, will be conducting low-level warfare powered by advanced technology aimed at weakening the United States, according to a new Space Force report.
Trump warns China not to supply arms to Iran
April 12, 2026 President Trump on Saturday warned China not to provide weapons to its strategic partner Iran.
Pentagon awards $4.7 billion contact for new Patriot interceptor missiles
April 10, 2026 The Pentagon has awarded a $4.76 billion contract to defense contractor Lockheed Martin to rapidly build up stockpiles of the Army’s most advanced terminal anti-missile interceptors, a weapon depleted during heavy use in the war against Iran.
Xi Jinping calls on PLA brass to stay 'pure,' communist after corruption scandal in military
April 9, 2026 Chinese President Xi Jinping is urging the People's Liberation Army to stay pure and committed to communism after being rocked by political purges and corruption, according to state media.
NSA, Australians warn Starlink can be hacked
April 9, 2026 Four government security agencies are warning that low-Earth orbit satellite communications, such as SpaceX's Starlink system, are vulnerable to hostile cyber hacking operations.
Trump administration to spend $39 billion for priority plan to field Golden Dome missile defenses
April 7, 2026 The Trump administration will spend nearly $39 billion in the next several years on rapidly building the first parts of the new Golden Dome nationwide missile defense system.
Inside the push to 'subdue the enemy without fighting': Pentagon readying for cognitive war/font>
April 3, 2026 The Pentagon's Strategic Capabilities Office is launching an initiative to wage cognitive warfare -- nonkinetic military operations short of major destructive conflict.
Drone incursion at Air Force nuclear bomber base under investigation
April 2, 2026 A recent swarm of drones that intruded on an Air Force nuclear bomber base in Louisiana remains under investigation, the Air Force Global Strike Command said.
Hegseth: U.S. working to counter Chinese and Russian support to Iran
March 31, 2026 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the military knows that China and Russia are backing Iran in the war as steps are underway to counter the support.
Chinese warships, jets conduct combat patrol near disputed South China Sea shoal
March 30, 2026 Chinese warships and military aircraft conducted a show of force around a disputed shoal in the South China Sea on Sunday amid growing tensions with the Philippines.
Two people charged with attempted bombing near CENTCOM headquarters
March 27, 2026 A Florida man charged with planting a bomb near the U.S. military's Central Command has fled to China and his sister is under arrest in the plot, according to federal prosecutors.
DNI threat report faulted for playing down danger of China invading Taiwan
March 26, 2026 The Director of National Intelligence's annual report on global threats includes faulty assessments asserting that the Chinese military does not plan an assault on Taiwan by 2027, China experts say.
Tucker Carlson calls for U.S. to share power with China, says American military can't defend Taiwan
March 24, 2026 Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson said he no longer views Communist China as a major threat and is calling for the U.S. to share power with Beijing in a new world order with a weakened America.
U.S. indicts three in plot to illegally sell advanced computer tech to China
March 20, 2026 Federal authorities indicted three men charged with conspiracy to sell sophisticated artificial intelligence servers containing Nvidia chips to China in violation of U.S. export controls.
Stratcom admiral says China strategic threat growing
March 19, 2026 Advanced technology and low-yield nuclear weapons highlight the most complex and strategic threat environment for the United States since World War II, the new commander of the Strategic Command says.
Western Hemisphere military commanders warn of growing Chinese threats
March 17, 2026 Leaders of U.S. military forces in the Western Hemisphere told Congress Tuesday that Chinese activities and influence pose a growing threat to U.S. national security.
China resumes warplane flights near Taiwan as Trump delays Xi visit
March 16, 2026 The Trump administration's military operation against A The Chinese military has resumed warplane flights near Taiwan after a 10-day hiatus during which no aircraft were detected around the self-ruled island that Beijing has vowed to annex.
CIA videos viewed by tens of millions in China
March 12, 2026 The Trump administration's military operation against A The CIA recently launched a program to recruit agents inside the near-totalitarian Chinese Communist system through a series of online videos in Mandarin.
Chinese government-linked company fined in radio secrets theft
March 10, 2026 The Trump administration's military operation against A Chinese telecommunications company has been fined $50 million as part of a decade-long legal case involving the theft of radio technology secrets from Motorola.
Beijing pulls back warplanes near Taiwan before Trump-Xi summit
March 10, 2026 Chinese military warplane flights around Taiwan have declined sharply while warship incursions continue to be detected around the self-ruled island in the run-up to a planned summit between President Trump and his Chinese counterpart.
Iran operation threatens China's global strategy and domestic economy
March 3, 2026 The Trump administration's military operation against Iran, ostensibly to destroy a reviving nuclear program and remove regional and global terrorist threats, includes a major side benefit: It will undermine China's oil-based economy and counter Beijing's global anti-U.S. strategy, American experts say.
Trump abandons his campaign stance against regime change, divides MAGA
Feb. 28, 2026 The U.S. attacks on Iran this weekend have made clear that the commander in chief is no longer the presidential candidate who consistently criticized the use of American military force to oust threatening foreign regimes.
Beijing says stop bombing ally Iran
Feb. 28, 2026 China denounced the U.S.-Israeli attack on its regional ally Iran, calling Saturday's missile strikes a violation of Iranian sovereignty and security.
China-linked leftist group calls for anti-war protests
Feb. 28, 2026 The People's Forum, one of two leftist domestic groups identified by the State Department as linked to China, called Saturday for holding mass protests against the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran.
China fears U.S. bomber strikes on nuclear sites
Feb. 19, 2026 China reacted with unease to the daring U.S. military raid on Iran's nuclear facilities with official state media voicing fears that underground Chinese nuclear sites are vulnerable to similar strikes, according to a U.S. Air Force think tank report.
Pentagon publishes, then withdraws, new list of Chinese military companies
Feb. 13, 2026 The Pentagon on Friday published an expanded list of Chinese military companies linked to the People's Liberation Army and operating in the U.S., including those linked to Beijing's civilian-military fusion program.
China's military reveals future air warfare plans
Feb. 12, 2026 An internal Chinese military report has revealed that the People's Liberation Army is placing a heavy emphasis on waging advanced air war using stealth, drones and high-technology weapons.
Air Force urged to build 200 B-21 bombers
Feb. 12, 2026 Current plans for U.S. bomber forces are inadequate for winning a future conflict with China and the Air Force needs 200 new B-21 bombers to bolster the strategic bomber shortfall, according to a new report by a think tank that supports the Air Force.
U.S. racing to build space weapons to counter anti-satellite power of China and Russia
Feb. 11, 2026 The U.S. Space Force is accelerating the deployment of counterspace weapons under a new Trump administration policy aimed at reasserting and ensuring American dominance over China and Russia in any potential orbital conflict.
U.S. rejects flawed New START arms accord
Feb. 6, 2026 The Trump administration rejected continuing to abide by the expired New START agreement limiting U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons, because it fails to curb Moscow's strategic arsenal and excludes China's rapid expansion of its nuclear forces, a senior State Department official said Friday.
Xi demands 'prudence' on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan in phone call with Trump
Feb. 5, 2026 Chinese President Xi Jinping pressed President Trump on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan during a phone call this week, according to the official Beijing readout of the discussion.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says China 'weaponizing' rare earths
Feb. 5, 2026 Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said this week that China is "weaponizing" its control over rare earth minerals and other goods and the Trump administration is taking steps to counter the problem.
Panama blocks Chinese-linked company from operating ports at either end of the canal
Feb. 2, 2026 The Panamanian government has voided contracts for a pro-Chinese company to operate two port facilities at either end of the Panama Canal, bolstering Trump administration efforts to secure the waterway as a military transit route in any future conflict with China.
Chinese software engineer convicted of stealing AI trade secrets from Google
Jan. 30, 2026 A federal jury in San Francisco convicted a former Google software engineer and Chinese national of economic espionage for stealing artificial intelligence secrets from the tech giant.
Pentagon urged to wage decision-based AI warfare
Jan. 26, 2026 The Pentagon is joining the global race to use artificial intelligence to produce more lethal forces but needs to shift from the current use of large language models to a new form of combat that a high-tech company is calling "agentic warfare."
Report: Purged Chinese general probed for leaking nuclear secrets
Jan. 26, 2026 The Chinese military's most senior general under investigation for corruption leaked nuclear secrets to the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Trump administration's new defense strategy seeks greater accommodation of Beijing
Jan. 25, 2026 The Trump administration's new national defense strategy seeks more accommodation of communist China and a renewal of the Monroe Doctrine in the Western Hemisphere.
Two Chinese generals latest victims of Xi's military purge
Jan. 24, 2026 The Chinese Communist Party has placed two senior generals under criminal investigation, including the most powerful officer of the People's Liberation Army, the Defense Ministry announced Saturday.
Defense bill bars Pentagon from paying for adult entertainment
Jan. 22, 2026 A defense appropriations bill that cleared a House-Senate conference this week will ban Pentagon military and civilian officials from using government credit cards to pay for nude entertainment at topless bars.
Defense officials project Iran will develop intercontinental ballistic missile fleet by 2035
Jan. 22, 2026 A Defense Intelligence Agency report made public in support of President Trump's Golden Dome missile defense system reveals that Iran could field up to 60 intercontinental ballistic missiles by 2035.
Critical infrastructures face major threat from Chinese cyberattacks, nominee warns
Jan. 20, 2026 China has conducted aggressive cyberattacks on U.S. critical infrastructures, and the U.S. needs to step up efforts to block the planting of malicious software in control networks, the general slated to be the next commander of Cyber Command told Congress.
U.S.-Japan to boost defense cooperation with new missiles, more intense exercises
Jan. 18, 2026 The Pentagon and Japan's defense ministry agreed to increase cooperation on fielding new and more capable missiles and to step up military exercises along the so-called First Island Chain stretching from Japan south across the coast of China.
Justice Department blocks China from getting U.S.-origin flight simulator technology
Jan. 15, 2026 Federal authorities blocked two South African containers with flight simulators destined for the Chinese military, the Justice Department said Thursday.
Sen. Tom Cotton: China threatens U.S. AI development
Jan. 15, 2026 A California man charged with handling tens of millions of dollars in a Chinese money-laundering operation supporting Mexican drug cartels is being held in federal detention in Ohio, the Justice Department said Thursday.
Cold War document shows military chiefs sought U.S. purchase of Greenland
Jan. 15, 2026 President Trump's plan to acquire Greenland is not new. A 1956 document from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff called for the U.S. to purchase Greenland for its strategic military value.
Ex-DIA counterspy reveals use of psychics to hunt spies
Jan. 14, 2026 A decorated former Defense Intelligence Agency counterintelligence official used a psychic to identify spies working in the U.S., including a suspected foreign agent still working for the FBI, former DIA counterspy, Scott W. Carmichael reveals in a forthcoming book.
Ex-Navy sailor sentenced to prison as spy for China
Jan. 13, 2026 A San Diego-based former Navy sailor convicted of spying for China was sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for his role in supplying secrets to China, the Justice Department said Tuesday.
Major Chinese money laundering suspect detained
Dec. 24, 2025 A California man charged with handling tens of millions of dollars in a Chinese money-laundering operation supporting Mexican drug cartels is being held in federal detention in Ohio, the Justice Department said Thursday.
Chinese communist calls for Venezuelan-style raid on Taiwan
Jan. 8, 2026 Li Yi, a former Chinese university professor, took to social media to praise President Trump for the successful military raid in Venezuela and criticized Beijing for failing to conduct a similar operation against Taiwan.
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