Lawmakers Warn Of Russia Sharing US Military Secrets With China
Concerns are mounting among U.S. lawmakers over the possibility that Russia is providing China with critical intelligence on American military capabilities. Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), the leaders of the House Select Committee on China, have called on the Biden administration to deliver a detailed assessment of the information Russia has obtained about U.S. weapons used in Ukraine and whether this information has been shared with China.
The two representatives are particularly worried about the implications of the close relationship between Russia and China, especially given China’s significant support for Russia during its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. They have requested the White House to provide “an assessment regarding information Russia has gained about the capabilities of U.S. weapons provided to Ukraine and the degree to which this information has been shared with the People’s Republic of China,” according to their letter.
China has been a crucial ally to Russia, offering substantial military and technological assistance that has allowed Russia to sustain its offensive despite extensive international sanctions. Lawmakers fear that this support is part of a larger strategy, with Russia potentially sharing valuable intelligence on American military systems with China. “We should anticipate and indeed operate under the assumption that Russia is passing information about vulnerabilities or counters to American and allied weapons systems to the PRC,” the lawmakers stated.
The request comes after a major NATO conference in Washington, D.C., where the ongoing support from China to Russia was highlighted. The lawmakers noted that Chinese assistance has been pivotal for Russia, with the Chinese government providing microelectronics, dual-use equipment, and other technological support to bolster Russia’s military capabilities. This cooperation is alarming as it could enhance China’s own military strategies, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region where tensions over Taiwan continue to rise.
Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi have asked the White House to detail Russia’s ability to mitigate U.S. weapons systems in Ukraine and the extent to which these insights have been shared with China. They are also seeking information on how the Chinese military might be adapting lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict to its own strategies. This intelligence sharing could potentially give China an edge in any future conflicts with the U.S., especially in areas like Taiwan.
The lawmakers’ letter to national security adviser Jake Sullivan underscores the urgency of understanding the full scope of Russian intelligence sharing with China. They stressed the importance of adapting U.S. military strategies to counteract any advancements made by these adversarial nations. They are urging the administration to ensure the continued effectiveness of American weapons systems against both Russian and Chinese threats.
By pushing for a thorough investigation, Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi aim to keep the U.S. ahead of potential threats posed by the strategic partnership between Russia and China. The outcomes of this assessment could play a crucial role in shaping future U.S. defense policies and maintaining national security in an increasingly complex global landscape.
