Nicole Perlroth

As of this recording, President Trump's position on Ukraine has been anything but consistent. He initially cut off military aid and intelligence sharing, only to reverse course a couple of weeks later. More recently, he's been threatening Putin with sanctions if the missile strikes on Ukraine don't stop. But all of this could shift at any moment. Under Trump, the U.S.

As of this recording, President Trump's position on Ukraine has been anything but consistent. He initially cut off military aid and intelligence sharing, only to reverse course a couple of weeks later. More recently, he's been threatening Putin with sanctions if the missile strikes on Ukraine don't stop. But all of this could shift at any moment. Under Trump, the U.S.

has revealed itself to be an unpredictable trading partner and military ally. Taiwan might still be able to count on the U.S. coming to its defense. But what appetite will Americans have to support an island halfway around the world when we can't get access to clean water or even just working Wi-Fi?

has revealed itself to be an unpredictable trading partner and military ally. Taiwan might still be able to count on the U.S. coming to its defense. But what appetite will Americans have to support an island halfway around the world when we can't get access to clean water or even just working Wi-Fi?

We've largely shifted the focus to China's attacks on our infrastructure, but lest you think the CCP has let traditional intelligence go by the wayside, let me introduce you to Volt Typhoon's colleagues, Salt Typhoon. In early October, 2024, news broke that America's biggest telecoms, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, others we don't even know about yet,

We've largely shifted the focus to China's attacks on our infrastructure, but lest you think the CCP has let traditional intelligence go by the wayside, let me introduce you to Volt Typhoon's colleagues, Salt Typhoon. In early October, 2024, news broke that America's biggest telecoms, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, others we don't even know about yet,

had been hacked by a Chinese group that Microsoft calls Salt Typhoon.

had been hacked by a Chinese group that Microsoft calls Salt Typhoon.

Salt Typhoon is now considered the most significant cyber intrusion we've had on our telecommunications systems to date. And we're still unpacking the damage. We know that they accessed the private calls of President Trump and J.D. Vance, Kamala Harris' staff, and Chuck Schumer. We know they got access to metadata, texts, and phone calls.

Salt Typhoon is now considered the most significant cyber intrusion we've had on our telecommunications systems to date. And we're still unpacking the damage. We know that they accessed the private calls of President Trump and J.D. Vance, Kamala Harris' staff, and Chuck Schumer. We know they got access to metadata, texts, and phone calls.

And perhaps most damaging of all, we know they got a counterintelligence goldmine.

And perhaps most damaging of all, we know they got a counterintelligence goldmine.

That was Dakota Carey speaking to China's hacks of our biggest telecom providers. And the worst part is, we don't even know if they're out. In fact, we have to assume they're still inside.

That was Dakota Carey speaking to China's hacks of our biggest telecom providers. And the worst part is, we don't even know if they're out. In fact, we have to assume they're still inside.

Stepping back here, if China can access our most personal data, eavesdrop on our highest level officials and our most private moments, if they can manipulate our supply chains and have the power to disrupt our critical infrastructure at will, then we don't control our own destiny. By any honest definition, we're not a sovereign nation. That is where we are.

Stepping back here, if China can access our most personal data, eavesdrop on our highest level officials and our most private moments, if they can manipulate our supply chains and have the power to disrupt our critical infrastructure at will, then we don't control our own destiny. By any honest definition, we're not a sovereign nation. That is where we are.

Now, here's where I'm often asked, aren't we in their systems too? Can't we do the same to them? And aren't we better? It's what I call mutually assured digital destruction. China and Russia are in our infrastructure, and we're in theirs. We know less about what the U.S. is doing overseas, but it's no secret that the U.S. is actively exploiting these systems too. Here's Dale Peterson.

Now, here's where I'm often asked, aren't we in their systems too? Can't we do the same to them? And aren't we better? It's what I call mutually assured digital destruction. China and Russia are in our infrastructure, and we're in theirs. We know less about what the U.S. is doing overseas, but it's no secret that the U.S. is actively exploiting these systems too. Here's Dale Peterson.

Starting about seven years ago, US officials began publicly acknowledging their own digital forays abroad. It was part of a strategy that then NSA director and cyber command chief, Paul Nakasone called defend forward or persistent engagement.

Starting about seven years ago, US officials began publicly acknowledging their own digital forays abroad. It was part of a strategy that then NSA director and cyber command chief, Paul Nakasone called defend forward or persistent engagement.