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Elon Musk to Access Secret U.S. Military Plans Against China

Musk's new role raises concerns over conflicts of interest as he advises the Trump administration.

By Eric Schmitt, Eric Lipton, Julian E. Barnes, Ryan Mac and Maggie HabermanSource: nytimes.com1 min read
Elon Musk to Access Secret U.S. Military Plans Against China
Image via nytimes.com

In brief

The Pentagon is briefing Musk on sensitive military strategies relating to a potential conflict with China, amplifying the debate over his dual roles as adviser and business leader.

In a surprising move, the Pentagon plans to provide Elon Musk with top-secret briefings on U.S. military strategies regarding a possible war with China. This briefing is set for Friday and will focus specifically on scenarios involving China, though exact details remain undisclosed. Granting Musk access to such classified information marks a significant expansion of his position as an adviser to President Trump. It raises important questions regarding potential conflicts of interest, considering Musk’s leadership of SpaceX and Tesla – companies that are major contractors for the government while he continues to conduct business ties with China.The U.S. military's war plans, also known as O-plans, are among the nation's most restricted secrets. Knowledge of these strategies could give potential adversaries insights to fortify their defenses, thus compromising the effectiveness of U.S. military operations.The classified briefing is expected to include around 20 to 30 slides detailing the U.S. response in the event of hostilities with China, including identifying threats and deciding which strategic targets to neutralize. These plans are designed to provide the President with options during times of crisis.

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