After initial attacks began on Friday, news reports surfaced indicating that Israel had secretly built a drone base on Iranian soil to launch its drone strikes against the country. The operation, which was years in the making, involved the smuggling of weapons systems and soldiers into the country ahead of time, according to an Israeli security official. This covert operation underscores the growing sophistication of modern warfare and the lengths to which nations will go to achieve strategic objectives.
China policy expert Michael Sobolik drew a direct comparison between Israel’s operation and the growing influence of Chinese companies in the United States. He highlighted how Chinese entities have made inroads into critical infrastructure, including the power grid, law enforcement, and social media platforms. “Look at the ways Israel penetrated Iran for sabotage operations. Now look at the Chinese companies and assets permeating the U.S. power grid (solar converters), local law enforcement (DJI drones), and social, media (TikTok),” Sobolik wrote. “The CCP is preparing to paralyze us in a crisis.” This analogy highlights the perceived risk that China’s growing presence in America could mirror the tactics used by Israel and other adversaries to undermine national security.
Gabriel Noronha, president of Polaris National Security, further emphasized the parallels between the recent drone operations and the broader threat posed by China’s land and asset purchases. “It is increasingly dangerous to allow Chinese companies and individuals to own land, especially near our military bases and critical infrastructure,” Noronha stated. “Left unchecked, we are opening our land to host clandestine Chinese military bases to launch all sorts of attacks and cripple our nation in wartime.” This sentiment reflects growing concerns within the U.S. national security community about the potential for foreign entities, particularly China, to exploit vulnerabilities in American infrastructure.
Recent legislative developments, such as Arizona’s failed attempt to limit Chinese land ownership near military bases, illustrate the political dimension of this issue. The bill, which sought to block Chinese entities from acquiring more than a 30% stake in Arizona real estate, was vetoed by Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs. According to the bill’s sponsor, the legislation was prompted by recent efforts by China to lease property near a major Air Force base in the state. This highlights the ongoing tension between national security concerns and economic interests, as well as the political polarization surrounding the issue of foreign land ownership in the U.S.
Michael Lucci, CEO of State Armor Action, a conservative group focused on addressing global security threats, warned that without serious measures to intercept China’s asset acquisitions, the U.S. risks losing a war with China. He emphasized that land ownership is just the “tip of the iceberg,” with deeper concerns about China’s industrial property holdings, port access, and infrastructure control. “I now understand the potential problem of the Chinese government owning land in America,” added writer and podcast host Jamie Weinstein. This growing awareness underscores the need for a comprehensive and unified approach to counter the perceived threats posed by China’s expanding influence in the United States.