The United States is expected to face a “complex” security environment and will need to work on two “critical” strategic challenges – emerging powers, such as China, seeking dominance in the global order – and challenges such as climate change – that could “intersect”. “. and bolster their national security implications, the US intelligence community assessed.
This was announced by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on Wednesday Annual Threat Assessment 2023, which warned of threats against the US from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. It also warned of global challenges such as climate change and evolving technologies that could have the potential to “disrupt” traditional business and society while creating “unprecedented vulnerabilities”.
“These two strategic challenges will intersect and interact in unpredictable ways, leading to mutually reinforcing effects that can test our ability to respond, but also provide new opportunities to forge collective action with allies and partners, including non-state actors,” the statement said. states report.
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As for China, the US intelligence community said the Chinese Communist Party will continue its efforts to make China the “preeminent power in East Asia and a major power on the world stage.”
As for the Chinese military, the intelligence community said Beijing is “accelerating” the development of key capabilities it believes the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) needs to “face the United States in a large-scale, ongoing conflict.” The PLA’s efforts are designed to “deter U.S. intervention in a future cross-strait crisis,” officials said.
Officials also warned that Beijing is strengthening its domestic defense production capabilities for weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and advanced conventional weapons. The intelligence community also warned that China is building hundreds of new ICBM silos.
“Beijing is concerned that bilateral tensions, nuclear modernization in the US and the PLA’s advancing conventional capabilities have increased the likelihood of a US first strike,” the report said. “Beijing’s increased confidence in its nuclear deterrent is likely to strengthen its resolve and intensify conventional conflict.”
