The United States’ top intelligence official, Tulsi Gabbard, has warned that China and Pakistan are among the biggest nuclear threats to the country. She said both nations are working on missile programs that could potentially reach the US mainland.
Gabbard spoke about this during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, presenting the 2026 Annual Threat Report. She said that China, Pakistan, Russia, and North Korea are developing new missile technologies, some capable of carrying nuclear weapons. These could challenge US defenses.
She highlighted that China and Russia are building advanced missile systems designed to avoid detection and interception. North Korea already has missiles that can reach the United States and is expanding its nuclear arsenal.
On Pakistan, Gabbard said that while the country mainly focuses on shorter-range missiles for regional defense, its work on longer-range missiles could eventually threaten the US. She stressed that growing cooperation between countries like China, Russia, and North Korea could make these threats even more serious.
Gabbard also noted that the total number of missiles worldwide that could strike the US is expected to increase in the coming years. She added that extremist groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS remain dangerous in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, though their threat is smaller compared to state-backed programs.
Her warning comes as the US continues to monitor global nuclear developments and rethink defense strategies. Lawmakers and intelligence officials say these programs could change the balance of power and increase risks to American security.
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