The Pentagon has officially designated China-backed campus cultural centers, commonly known as Confucius Institutes, as a threat to US national security.
Pentagon Declares Confucius Institutes a Security Threat
On Friday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the new Department of Defense designation, alleging that these institutions operate in disguise on American university campuses. Washington has maintained long-standing accusations that the centers function as Chinese propaganda tools, prompting various measures to curb their presence over recent years.
The latest action by the defense department elevates the scrutiny surrounding the centers, marking a significant escalation in federal oversight regarding foreign influence within US higher education institutions.
