The other shoe is expected to drop this week on the disastrous loss of confidential information from the databases of the Office of Personnel Management. The agency is expected to reveal the extent to which information from security investigations of current, former and prospective federal employees and contractors was compromised.

Thieves walked out with the most intimate details about U.S. public servants, including those who handle the most highly classified secrets of the United States. This unforgivable failure of stewardship should lead to firings for incompetence.

The director of national intelligence, James Clapper, said China is the “leading suspect” in the breach. A Reuters report quotes sources saying that the perpetrators seemed to be a group affiliated with China’s Ministry of State Security. This is a worrisome prospect. The Chinese security service may be attempting to use the stolen personal data to build a directory of Americans who work in sensitive government positions and who can be targeted for further espionage.

The Chinese would like to have a smooth, harmonious summit when presidents Xi Jinping and Obama meet in September. Obama should put China on notice today that such theft is inconsistent with harmony at the table – and he’s mad as hell about it.

If that doesn’t get Beijing’s attention, the United States should begin preparations for retaliation aimed specifically at the alleged Chinese attackers. The thieves must feel the heat. It is the only way to deter future attacks.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.

filed under: