Pentagon pushes ‘zero tolerance’ audit on foreign university partnerships that ‘compromise our national security’
Schools must complete a review and terminate arrangements deemed problematic—or face funding losses.
The Pentagon has mandated a review of partnerships between 30 U.S. universities and foreign institutions, especially those linked to China, as part of efforts to safeguard national security. If any universities fail to complete the audit and discontinue concerning collaborations within two weeks, they risk losing federal funding.
Pentagon officials emphasized that academic ties that undermine national security are not tolerated. Specific institutions under scrutiny include Harvard University, MIT, and Johns Hopkins University, though the Pentagon did not disclose the names. The move follows the release of a list of 130 foreign entities accused of potentially compromising U.S. research and development efforts, with a significant number of Chinese universities on the list.
Critics argue that the order lacks evidence and unfairly singles out the universities. The American Council on Education expressed concern over the implication that universities are not good partners on research security, given their previous cooperation. The audit follows the Trump administration's ongoing apprehension about China's global influence, including its activities in the Americas, such as port ownership, Belt and Road infrastructure projects, and investments in telecommunications.
The Chinese embassy condemned the "politization" of academic and scientific exchanges, urging the U.S. to adopt a non-discriminatory approach.
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