CIA Chief: Ukraine Making China Rethink When, Not Whether, to Invade Taiwan

CIA chief William Burns. (Getty Images)
CIA chief William Burns. (Getty Images)
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CIA Chief: Ukraine Making China Rethink When, Not Whether, to Invade Taiwan

CIA chief William Burns. (Getty Images)
CIA chief William Burns. (Getty Images)

China appears determined on using force in Taiwan, with Russia's experience in Ukraine affecting Beijing's calculations on how, not whether, to invade, the head of the CIA said Wednesday.

Appearing at the Aspen Security Forum, Central Intelligence Agency Director Bill Burns played down speculation that Chinese President Xi Jinping could move on Taiwan after a key Communist Party meeting later this year, AFP said.

"The risks of that become higher, it seems to us, the further into this decade that you get," Burns said.

Burns said that China was "unsettled" when looking at Russia's five-month-old war in Ukraine, which he characterized as a "strategic failure" for President Vladimir Putin as he had hoped to topple the Kyiv government within a week.

"Our sense is that it probably affects less the question of whether the Chinese leadership might choose some years down the road to use force to control Taiwan, but how and when they would do it," Burns said.

He said that China is believed to have observed from Ukraine that "you don't achieve quick, decisive victories with underwhelming force."

"I suspect the lesson that the Chinese leadership and military are drawing is that you've got to amass overwhelming force if you're going to contemplate that in the future," he said.

China also has likely learned that it has to "control the information space" and "do everything you can to shore up your economy against the potential for sanctions," he added.

Burns, in line with previous US assessments, said that the United States does not believe that Beijing is offering military support to Russia despite rhetorical backing.

He said China has stepped up purchases of Russian energy but appears careful about not incurring Western sanctions.

China considers self-ruled Taiwan part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.

China's defeated nationalists fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the mainland's civil war, but the island has since developed into a vibrant democracy and leading technological power.



Amid Gaza War, Israel Defense Exports Jump 13% in 2024 to Record $15 bln

A remote controlled machine gun is attached to an Israeli military vehicle during an Israeli raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta/File Photo
A remote controlled machine gun is attached to an Israeli military vehicle during an Israeli raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta/File Photo
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Amid Gaza War, Israel Defense Exports Jump 13% in 2024 to Record $15 bln

A remote controlled machine gun is attached to an Israeli military vehicle during an Israeli raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta/File Photo
A remote controlled machine gun is attached to an Israeli military vehicle during an Israeli raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta/File Photo

Israel's defense exports rose 13% in 2024 to a record of nearly $15 billion, led by missiles, rockets and air-defense systems with over half the deliveries going to European militaries, the government said on Wednesday.

Military exports, the Defense Ministry said in a statement, have more than doubled over the past five years, reaching nearly $15 billion in value in 2024.

The ministry said that since the outbreak of the Gaza war on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel's defense industries have operated in emergency mode with round-the-clock arms production while also maintaining manufacturing for foreign clients.

"The new record in Israeli defense exports, achieved during a year of war, reflects more than anything else the growing global appreciation for Israeli technology’s proven capabilities," said Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram, Reuters reported.

"Israeli systems have resonated throughout the Middle East this past year. More nations want to protect their citizens using Israeli defense equipment."

The ministry said there was significant growth in contracts from Europe last year, where exports accounted for 54% of the total, up from 36% in 2023. Asia-Pacific was next at 23% with the United States at 9%.

Missile, rocket and air defense systems comprised 48% of defence exports, followed by vehicles and armoured personnel carriers at 9%, and satellites and space systems, radar and electronic warfare, manned aircraft and avionics at 8% each.

Some 57% of contracts amounted to more than $100 million.