DNI Dan Coats: 'The United States Is Under Attack' - The Weekly Standard ·

The DNI outlines threats from Russia, North Korea, China, and Iran.

The Trump administration’s top spy chief quietly criticized the White House in written testimony Tuesday, warning lawmakers that U.S. allies are questioning America’s ability to keep its international commitments amid looming threats from China and Russia.

“China and Russia will seek spheres of influence and to check US. appeal and influence in their regions,” Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said in written testimony before the Senate Intelligence committee. “Meanwhile, U.S. allies’ and partners’ uncertainty about the willingness and capability of the United States to maintain its international commitments may drive them to consider reorienting their policies, particularly regarding trade, away from Washington.”

He outlined continued malign activity by Russia, North Korea, China, and Iran, and touched especially on “the potential for surprise in the cyber realm.”

"Frankly, the United States is under attack,” Coats said. “Under attack by entities that are using cyber to penetrate virtually every major action that takes place in the United States."

The U.S. intelligence community said in a report last January that the Kremlin ordered a campaign to influence the 2016 election that aimed to undermine faith in the democratic process, discredit then-candidate Hillary Clinton, and help then-candidate Trump. That campaign included hacking and targeted leaks, cyber intrusions into electoral boards, and churning out propaganda. - Read More

DNI Dan Coats: 'The United States Is Under Attack'

DNI Dan Coats: 'The United States Is Under Attack'