Pentagon gives 30 U.S. universities two weeks to review China partnerships
Universities face funding cuts unless they end arrangements the Pentagon deems problematic within two weeks.
The U.S. Department of Defense has ordered 30 American universities to complete a review of their partnerships with mainly Chinese universities and institutions that provide military training, giving the schools just two weeks to comply.
The Pentagon warned that the affected institutions will lose Department of Defense funding within the next two weeks if they do not finish the reviews and terminate any arrangements judged to be problematic. The ministry said the probe is intended to protect U.S. research funded by taxpayers from theft and exploitation.
“The 'Department of War' — the Trump administration's name for the Department of Defense — has zero tolerance for academic partnerships that jeopardize our national security,” Emil Michael, the Pentagon's chief technology officer, said.
The announcement did not list the universities by name. An unnamed official, however, told reporters that the group includes Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Johns Hopkins University.
Sara Spritzer, vice president of the American Council on Education, which represents college and university presidents, voiced concern that the Pentagon's public directive — issued without presenting evidence — implies wrongdoing by the institutions.
Background
Last month the Pentagon released an updated list of 130 foreign institutions it accused of engaging in “activities that increase the likelihood of misuse of U.S. government-funded research and development efforts.” The latest directive to universities appears aimed at quickly severing partnerships the department considers a national-security risk.
Photo: press material from the event
