US Defense Department plans to deploy spies under cover of private business to wage economic war against China

The US Department of Defense is planning to deploy spies under the cover of private business to wage a large-scale economic war against China, according to The Washington Post. The Pentagon is developing a secret program to expand its intelligence network, led by a former head of the CIA's operations division. The initiative is still in the planning stage, and the plan involves embedding agents into international investment funds, logistics giants, and technology companies to legally collect data on China's supply chains and conduct covert economic sabotage. Primary targets include Chinese semiconductor manufacturers, rare earth metal producers, and the artificial intelligence sector, aiming to disrupt Beijing's technological dominance. The use of private business as a cover for military operations has sparked intense debate in Washington, with critics warning that legitimate American entrepreneurs abroad may come under suspicion by Beijing and face accusations of espionage.