CIA Says Winning Tech War With China Top Priority, Citing ‘Existential Threat' to US
CIA Deputy Director Michael Ellis says that China represents an 'existential threat' to the United States and that the agency's top priority is outpacing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in a high-stakes technological arms race that spans semiconductors, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence.
'China is the existential threat to American security in a way we really have never confronted before,' Ellis told Axios in an
In separate remarks, including an
'The IC is very good at ... counting Soviet tanks ... to be ready for a possible conflict in Europe in the Cold War,' Ellis said. 'But ... when you ask the IC to look at issues ... where Chinese companies are in artificial intelligence research, it's not one that we've been well-positioned historically to think about.'
As part of its shift in focus toward the tech race against adversaries such as China, the CIA is looking to develop more resources, including personnel, Ellis said, adding that this includes recruiting people with expertise in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
'We need more people with science and technology backgrounds, which is again a little different than the global war on terrorism mindset of the last 20 years,' he said, adding that the CIA is also increasingly looking at partnering with private-sector leaders—including recent consultations with Elon Musk—on how to cut waste, adopt artificial intelligence tools, and stay ahead of adversaries using emerging technologies like drone swarms.
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The deputy director's remarks echo a sharply-worded warning from former FBI Director Christopher Wray, who, before his resignation,
Ellis's concerns are also reinforced by the intelligence community's latest
Beijing's cyber campaign includes operations such as Volt Typhoon, a state-backed effort to infiltrate key U.S. systems and maintain covert, long-term access to vital infrastructure. A more recent campaign, known as Salt Typhoon, has targeted U.S. telecommunications networks, underscoring the regime's expanding digital reach and operational sophistication in targeting critical infrastructure in America.
The report warns that in the event of a looming military conflict with Washington, especially over Taiwan, China could launch aggressive cyber strikes against U.S. military and civilian networks. These would be intended to disrupt command decisions, generate chaos among the public, and hinder the rapid deployment of American forces.
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Vogue
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And They Call It Plushie Love: Fashionable People on Their Labubu Obsession
Unless you exist in a blissfully offline experience, you'll have noticed Labubu hype is at unprecedented high. Even IRL, you can hardly move on the streets of major cities without being nudged by a handbag bedecked with the fang-toothed critters. Personally, I love her. Yes, despite her gender-fluid appearance and undiscriminating appeal, Labubu is a girl. An elfin character first created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, Labubu was conceived as part of a story series called The Monsters in 2015. Then, in 2019, Labubu evolved into the collectible toy market with a line of figurines that became available through a partnership with Chinese retailer Pop Mart. Later, they were developed into plush toys on keychains—perfect timing, to chime with the emerging trend of bag charms, trinkets, and toys in fashion; Pop Mart's first Labubu keyring series was called the 'Exciting Macaron,' and dropped in October 2023. Inspired by Nordic folklore, the pastel shades of Labubu's fluffy body and the gently devilish facial expressions that differ with each iteration of the character are the perfect blend of cute and ugly. She's the latest in a long line of iconic characters that have emerged from Asia; Hello Kitty, Sonny Angel, and Gudetama are her foresisters. Pop Mart's Cry Baby series seems to be following fast in her footsteps. Labubu has been spotted on Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and perhaps most notably, Lisa from Blackpink, who spoke to Vanity Fair about her obsession—certainly, one of the sparks that lit the match for Labubu's now-worldwide domination. But, as with anything that becomes too beloved, too hyped, too memed, the backlash has begun. In the UK, Pop Mart was forced to pull Labubu from stores after an altercation in a queue occurred in May 2025. Overzealous resellers, it seems, resorted to violence to get their hands on the coveted critters. Fans remain furious with the pause. Labubu is, after all, the number one piece to collect on resale platform StockX. Some roll their eyes: Why are all these people—not even children—queueing for toys at a time like this? There are plenty of critiques from those harbouring hate—Labubu aren't recyclable, they're just a 'recession indicator,' a part of so-called 'regression core.' The mimetic desire they create feeds into the capitalist whirl of consumer culture! This type of collecting is a silly, frivolous pastime! As British Vogue's Daniel Rodgers writes: 'The Labubu is just another colorful flash on the internet's radar: Something we consume for a few months until the next trend arrives, kicking off a fresh cycle of thinkpieces.'
The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
Hegseth challenges China in its own backyard
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday in Singapore attempted to woo Asian defense leaders to Washington's side as he warned of the 'imminent' threat China poses to the Indo-Pacific region. Hegseth, who took the stage at the Shangri-La Dialogue, sought to seize on a gap China created in declining to send its own defense minister to the major annual gathering of diplomats, military officials and business leaders — an opportunity for the U.S. to make inroads with Asian countries. 'Here in the Indo-Pacific, our futures are bound together,' Hegseth told attendees. 'We share your vision of peace and stability, of prosperity and security. And we are here to stay.' 'And as a matter of fact, we are here this morning, somebody else isn't,' he added. Hegseth's trip to Singapore — his second visit to the region as Pentagon chief — takes place amid the backdrop of heightened rhetoric between Washington and Beijing, which President Trump accused Friday of violating a temporary trade deal. European and Indo-Pacific countries have found themselves at a crossroads as of late, increasingly pulled between the competing interests of the U.S. and China as both struggle for dominance. There's also uncertainty in the region over the U.S.'s commitment to the defense of Taiwan, which China has threatened to overtake, a potential reality Hegseth played into. 'There's no reason to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent,' he said, adding that any move on Taipei by Beijing 'would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world.' In an attempt to sway Indo-Pacific nations, Hegseth promised continued American partnership and support to those wary of the Trump administration's commitment to the region. But the pledges came with a caveat repeated in Europe, Africa and elsewhere in the world: a call for an increase in defense spending. 'We ask, and indeed we insist, that our allies and partners do their part on defense,' he said. 'Sometimes that means having uncomfortable and tough conversations.' The Shangri-La Dialogue, put on by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, traditionally gives U.S. defense leaders a soapbox to lay out America's strategy in the Indo-Pacific, with an audience of senior officials from across the globe. China, instead of sending its defense minister, sent only an academic delegation to the gathering. Hegseth took advantage of this absence and delivered the Trump administration's most concrete stance on U.S. security policy in the region since the president took office in January, pledging American support for allies while painting China as the common enemy. 'We do not seek conflict with communist China. … But we will not be pushed out of this critical region, and we will not let our allies and partners be subordinated and intimidated,' Hegseth said. 'It has to be clear to all that Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo Pacific,' he continued. While China has not sought war with any nation, it has flexed its military and economic might in the seas around East and South East Asia, attempting to dominate vital shipping lanes via its powerful navy and man-made islands laden with military equipment. Beijing has also built up its nuclear and conventional arsenals, amassing vessels for a navy that now outstrips the U.S. Navy in number of ships. And an ever looming presence is China's firm eye on Taiwan, which it views as its own territory and has vowed to 'reunify' with the island, using force if necessary. To that end, Beijing has increased war games around Taiwan and stepped up political pressure. The U.S. has made clear, however, that it will not be pushed from the region, with tens of thousands of troops based in Japan and South Korea, and several U.S. owned or maintained military bases in Australia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. Hegseth affirmed the U.S. alliance in the region when he visited the Philippines and Japan in March. The Pentagon also announced the development of a new defense strategy in May centered on 'deterring' China in the region and 'increasing burden-sharing' with international partners. But in Saturday's speech Hegseth expanded on Washington's plan, which includes improving U.S. forward force posture, rebuilding defense industrial bases, and helping allies and partners strengthen their defense capabilities. The pledges came, however, with an all-too-expected push for countries to ramp up their own defense spending, something the U.S. has already pushed its European allies to do. 'It doesn't make sense for countries in Europe to [spend more] while key allies in Asia spend less on defense in the face of an even more formidable threat — I've mentioned North Korea,' Hegseth said. While he didn't mention any specific spending goal, it is speculated that Hegseth will push Asian nations to increase defense spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP)— the new spending goal for NATO members in Europe. Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby hinted as much when he posted to the social media platform X on Wednesday that 5 percent 'is the new standard for our allies around the world, especially Asia.' Asian countries spent an average of 1.5 percent of GDP on defense in 2024 — a figure that has stayed constant over the last decade — but spending on weapons is spiking amid a darkening security outlook, according to a study released Wednesday by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. To nudge things along, Hegseth suggested on Saturday that European allies focus on security on their own continent, freeing up the U.S. to zero in on Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific. 'We would much prefer that the overwhelming balance of European investment be on that continent, so that as we partner there, which we will continue to do, we're able to use our comparative advantage as an Indo-Pacific nation to support our partners here,' he said during a Q&A portion after his speech. Hegseth's comments mark a turning point in his usual messaging, which has heavily centered around domestic issues such as protecting the U.S. southern border, restoring the 'warrior ethos,' and countering so-called 'woke' initiatives, including diversity, equity and inclusion programs, in the military. He still mentioned those issues, but played to a more international audience on Saturday. 'We are not here to pressure other countries to embrace or adopt our politics or ideology. 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The Hill
an hour ago
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My challenge to Charlamagne tha God
I am not interested in pointing fingers. I am not looking to assign blame. I have no interest in diving into the sewer of partisan politics. I am simply trying to reach out to one person who I believe can make a real difference with regard to the greatest failure in American 'leadership' over the course of the last seven decades. I refer, of course, to the complete abandonment by both political parties of millions of innocent men, women and children in America's crumbling inner-cities. The vast majority of those abandoned are Black, with children paying the highest price of all. This is a national disgrace and an obscenity that should haunt our dreams. But it is largely ignored because it has become one of the electrified 'third rails' of politics that should never be acknowledged or addressed. Why? Because of blind allegiance to those who created the tragedy. Who truly cares about the most continuous and inhumane failure in modern American history? Honestly, next to no one. Why? Powerful forces from both political parties want and need to keep it that way. Some people will give me little credibility on this subject just because I am an older white guy. But I have a history in this dystopian urban world. As a child, I grew up in abject poverty and was homeless often. By the time I was 17, I had been evicted from 34 homes. A number of those evictions relocated me into housing projects and school classes where I was often the only white child. That experience was one of the greatest blessings of my life. At an early age, I got to witness that Black America was a great and caring America. I bonded with that community like none since. My earliest heroes became some of the single Black mothers I saw working two or three jobs at a time to support their children while sacrificing their own happiness — women who are my enduring role models to this day. All these years later, there is not a week that goes by when I don't think of the plight of those often trapped in our inner cities, existing in hope-crushing realities that would make most people run into the night screaming for help. Occasionally, I write about it. But again, who really cares? I'm just an older white guy. Although my voice and my pleas for help for those suffering in anonymity and abandonment in our inner cities may never register or count, I do believe there is one voice today above all which would. That is the voice of Charlamagne tha God (a.k.a. Lenard McKelvey) — co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show 'The Breakfast Club.' His voice and his massive platform have the power to move the needle, to open eyes, to shine a light into corners many would just as soon leave shrouded in darkness and ignorance. Earlier this week, Charlamagne made news by airing his concern that the war in Ukraine 'could get stupid real fast' because the clashing egos of President Trump and Vladimir Putin 'could be the end of civilization as we know it.' It is gratifying to see him focus on a conflict that could trigger World War III. That said, there are people hurting unimaginably in our inner cities who no doubt believe they have long been experiencing 'the end of civilization as we know it.' The horrors happening in Ukraine may soon dissipate via a coming ceasefire, but the horrors taking place in our inner cities will go on unchecked, as they have for decades. Preordained suffering for the convenience and self-interests of various powerbrokers. Who today can expose this literal crime against humanity? I truly do believe the voice and platform of Charlamagne could begin the upending of this travesty of justice. And just how bad is it? What follows are but two examples out of literally hundreds in various inner-cities which could be highlighted. As the Chicago Tribune reported several years ago, over the course of the last 60 years, more than 40,000 men, women and children have been murdered in the city. More than 100,000 have been wounded, most of them Black, thousands of them innocent bystanders, including hundreds of children. If you extrapolate that number and timeframe across other large American cities, you will discover — shockingly — that those killed in our nation's urban areas equals or exceeds all U.S. soldiers killed and wounded during World War II. Again, the vast majority being Black men, women and children. Why are we not screaming out in protest against such a preventable perversion of justice? Going back to Chicago and speaking of children, a shocking headline from the Chicago Sun-Times a few years ago stated, 'Violence in some Chicago neighborhoods puts young men at greater risk than U.S. troops faced in Iraq, Afghanistan war zones, study finds.' As the paper reported, 'The risk of a man 18 to 29 years old dying in a shooting in the most violent ZIP code in Chicago … was higher than the death rate for U.S. soldiers in the Afghanistan war or for soldiers in an Army combat brigade that fought in Iraq.' Think about that: Almost twice as deadly as a heavily-engaged combat brigade. And now here is a truth I would like to bring to the attention of Charlamagne: Children must cross those 'war zones' five days a week to get to and from school. Again, it is but one more truth political forces from both sides have decided must never be admitted or discussed. An obscene reality that again can — and must be — extrapolated across multiple inner cities. These are innocent young boys and girls, children whose futures are being robbed from them in broad daylight. Yet we are told to look the other way. I believe Charlamagne tha God knows the a true problem when he sees it. He has an outstanding record of casting aside partisanship to speak truth to power — most especially for the disadvantaged. I am hoping he will laser-focus on this subject at some point and address it on his program. This is not about politics or choosing a side. It is only about exposing a crime against humanity and finally telling the millions living in orchestrated misery, 'We see you.' Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official.
