A U.S. State Department purchase of more than 15,000 computers made by Lenovo Group of China is starting to draw criticism, in the latest sign of American unease about the role of foreign companies in the domestic economy.

I’m sorry; last year wasn’t this called “IBM”?

I know somewhere in the DC area a certain chief scientist in a certain agency is jumping for joy (Hey bud, how’s tricks?). To be sure the security issues involved here are not trivial, but find me the 100% made-in-the-USA from chips-to-case computer manufacturer. That’s what I thought.

State can’t keep its own conference rooms secure and we’re flying off the hook over complex and convoluted plots to compromise the supply chain. Valid? Yes. Meaningful? No. Does anyone think this deal would slide under the radar in light of DP World? Do you think that the Mandarins wouldn’t have thought of this (if the answer is ‘yes’ you’re not paying attention to the China problem)?

Simple is best. Busting the supply chain is hard; pursuing The Bear and the Dragon option is a lot easier. It isn’t like they don’t have practice.

About the Author

Michael Tanji

Michael Tanji spent nearly 20 years in the US intelligence community. Trained in both SIGINT and HUMINT disciplines he has worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office. At various points in his career he served as an expert in information warfare, computer network operations, computer forensics, and indications and warning. A veteran of the US Army, Michael has served in both strategic and tactical assignments in the Pacific Theater, the Balkans, and the Middle East.