Bruce New MA Ed.
CEO / Contributor
On March 6, 2025, a shocking revelation emerged from the U.S. Department of Justice:
two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers, Jian Zhao and Li Tian, stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, along with a former soldier, Ruoyu Duan, were arrested in a high-profile espionage case with ties to China. The arrests, following indictments by federal grand juries in the District of Oregon and the Western District of Washington, have sent ripples through the military and national security communities, exposing vulnerabilities in the safeguarding of sensitive military information.
Jian Zhao, an active-duty Supply Sergeant, faces charges in the Western District of Washington for allegedly conspiring to transmit national defense information to individuals based in China. The indictment claims that starting in July 2024, Zhao collaborated with unnamedco-conspirators to obtain and sell classified military documents, including details about the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and U.S. military readiness in the event of a conflict with China. Zhao is also accused of attempting to sell a stolen encryption-capable computer belonging to the U.S. government. In exchange for his betrayal, he allegedly received at least $15,000, a paltry sum for compromising national security.
Meanwhile, Li Tian and Ruoyu Duan face related charges, with Duan indicted in Oregon for bribery and theft of government property. The trio’s actions represent a breach of trust that undermines the integrity of the U.S. military and its mission to protect the nation. The FBI and U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command spearheaded the investigation, highlighting the urgency of countering espionage threats within the ranks.
This case is part of a broader pattern of Chinese espionage efforts targeting
the U.S. military and critical infrastructure. Recent incidents, such as the arrest of a former Federal Reserve adviser for leaking economic secrets to China and reports of "virtual espionage" targeting service members on social media, underscore Beijing’s aggressive intelligence-gathering campaign. The soldiers’ alleged actions not only jeopardized military preparedness but also handed a strategic advantage to a geopolitical rival at a time of heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
The legal proceedings are ongoing, with all defendants presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, the allegations alone raise serious questions about recruitment, vetting, and oversight within the armed forces. How could individuals entrusted with sensitive information so easily succumb to foreign influence? The answer may lie in a combination of financial incentives, ideological leanings, or insufficient counterintelligence measures—none of which excuses the gravity of their alleged crimes.
Pray, Vote and be Active --- Bruce
Peter M. Katz --- Executive Proofreader
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