The Office of the US Director of National Intelligence today, Wednesday, released its annual threat assessment for 2023, warning of threats once morest the United States from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.
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Democratic Senator Mark Warner makes an opening statement during the US Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on global threats.
Today, Wednesday, the US Senate Intelligence Committee held its annual open hearing to examine global threats to US national security.
The committee heard testimony from the Director of National Intelligence, Avril Haines, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, William Burns, the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Scott Perrier, the Director General of the National Security Agency, Paul Nakasone, and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Christopher Wray.
The assessment of the US Director of National Intelligence’s office predicted that the United States would face a “complex” security environment, and that it would need to work to confront two “critical” strategic challenges, which are emerging powers, such as China, that seek to dominate the global system, and challenges such as climate change, which It is possible to “intersect”.
Iran will increase the level of challenge if sanctions are not lifted
The assessment report warned of the possibility that Iranian officials will work on the challenge of enriching uranium by up to 90%, if the sanctions imposed on Tehran are not eased.
The report issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said, “Since the assassination of the nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, in November 2020, Iran has accelerated the expansion of its nuclear program, and stated that it is no longer bound by any restrictions from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and if Tehran does not obtain If sanctions are eased, Iranian officials are likely to consider enriching uranium up to 90%.
The officials noted that Tehran might “accelerate the expansion of its nuclear program,” while also posing a “significant threat” to US networks and data, due to its capabilities and willingness to conduct “aggressive cyber operations.”
Also read: Le Monde: The “inevitable progress” of the Iranian nuclear program embarrasses the West
The escalation of the war in Ukraine leads to unprecedented dangers
The annual threat report stated that the war in Ukraine is an extraordinary event that is reshaping Russia’s relations with the West and China, on a broader scale, in ways that are unfolding and remain highly uncertain.
The report stated that the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis into a military confrontation between Russia and the West Atlantic carries high risks that the world has not faced in decades.
The US intelligence community report said: “Russia may not want a direct military conflict with US and NATO forces, but there is a possibility of that happening. Russian leaders have so far avoided taking measures that would expand the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders, but the risk of escalation remains great.” .
The intelligence report claimed that the Russian army needs “years” to rebuild its forces following “losses in Ukraine”.
The report stressed that Moscow will become more dependent on nuclear, electronic and space capabilities, because it is dealing with “the enormous damage to the Russian ground forces,” he said.
Also read: American studies list the dangers of prolonging the Ukraine war once morest Washington
China will continue its work to undermine American influence
The report warned that China will press hard on Taiwan for unity, with Chinese President Xi Jinping entering his third presidential term, and will work resolutely to undermine American influence, and that 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.”
Evaluation indicated, to confirm The leaders of the American intelligence agencies that China will deepen its cooperation with Russia, in order to try to challenge the United States despite the international condemnation that the West is trying to gather once morest Russia.
The assessment issued said that despite the global reaction to the war in Ukraine, China will maintain its diplomatic, defense, economic and technological cooperation with Russia, to continue trying to challenge the United States, even if it will reduce public support for it.
With regard to Taiwan, the US intelligence community warned that China would use “complete and coordinated government tools” in its quest to assert sovereignty over Taiwan, and that China might build on its measures in 2022, which means more central crossings of the Taiwan Strait, flights and missile launches over Taiwan. .
US officials also warned that if China succeeded in retaking Taiwan, this would have “wide-ranging effects, including disruption of global supply chains for semiconductor chips, as Taiwan dominates the production of high-end chips.”
Also read: “The Wall Street Journal”: America is not ready for a great power struggle
North Korea is a threat to Washington
The officials emphasized that North Korea’s military “will pose a serious threat to the United States and its allies by continuing to invest in specialized capabilities designed to provide the Korean leader with a range of options to deter outside interference.”
The report states that Kim Jong Un remains “strongly committed” to expanding North Korea’s nuclear weapons arsenal, and to preserving nuclear weapons as “the cornerstone of his national security architecture.”
The officials also warn that North Korea’s chemical and biological weapons “continue to pose a threat,” and the report notes that the intelligence community is “concerned” that North Korea “may use such weapons during a conflict or in an unconventional or covert attack.”
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will “probably” conduct a new nuclear test, as part of his efforts to build up his country’s nuclear arsenal, according to the US intelligence report.
The annual report also indicated that the Korean leader might move forward with launching missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, as part of efforts to improve Pyongyang’s missile tests.
