Pentagon planning covert espionage program for economic war with China, report says

The Washington Post has reported that the Pentagon is planning a highly classified espionage program to wage economic war against China, a plan the Defense Department denies.

• The Washington Post reported, citing unnamed sources, that the Pentagon is planning a highly secret espionage program for economic war against China and other US competitors.
• The program would employ operatives with non-official cover posing as businessmen or private-sector employees with no declared link to the US government.
• Retired CIA veteran Tom Rakusan, now senior adviser to Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, is to oversee the program.
• Pentagon deputy press secretary Jacob Bliss denied the program exists, saying the inquiry rests on "completely incorrect information."
• The report, citing six informed sources, said the program would target strategic sectors including artificial intelligence, biotechnology and semiconductors.
• The CIA declined to comment, and the program reportedly still faces legal and security hurdles while in planning stages.