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“If China can take out our water supply or power grid, the national focus shifts inward, hampering our military and diplomatic response,” Hawk explains. “This, coupled with a campaign to cause confusion and chaos, is part of their strategic plan to weaken us from within.”
This approach serves a dual purpose: it’s psychological warfare designed to test U.S. resilience and a calculated move to gain advantages in potential future conflicts.
The Case of Littleton, Massachusetts
An illustrative example of China’s targeted cyber espionage is Littleton, Massachusetts, a town with just 10,000 residents and no direct military ties. In November 2023, FBI officials visited local utility manager Nick Lawler, revealing that China had gained access to his town’s water and electrical networks.