Have you ever wondered what the cost of American technology and defense secrets are? Interestingly, not that much-- in 2003, Sabi Yakou and Regard Yakou arranged the sale of six armored patrol boats to Saddam Hussein which only cost them one year of probation. And what about selling weapons to fuel the drug war? Certainly, with all the phony hype about Mexico’s “drug guns” coming from the United States the US must exact a heavy price? Alas, when the US does catch somebody for illegally supplying semiautomatic firearms to Mexico, they charge the offenders with a mere 36 months in prison.

 

 

These cases are part of the “National Security Division’s Counterespionage Section’s Report on Significant Export Control Cases since September 2001.” In a 27 page document, the case, charges, defendants and disposition are all indicated. The reason for the relatively light sentences for some of the violations is unclear. Perhaps, the government exchanged light sentences for information; did not have enough evidence; or (erroneously) believed the crimes were petty. The ramifications of these transactions, however, are monumental. In 2003, the United States was preparing an attack against Iraq and believed the nation was in control of nuclear weapons and posed a serious threat to the United States.The violence in Mexico has escalated to unprecedented levels (despite Mexico’s spin) and there appears to be only a weak deterrent to smuggle guns into Mexico. In the case that an offender is caught, a few years of prison time is nothing compared to what their employers will do to them (cartels have been known to burn their victims in tubs of acid).   

 

 

Other alarming illegal exports include those to China. As a nation adept at copying products as part of its economic rise and with few qualms about intellectual property rights (never mind other laws), China actively steals US technology. From the National Security Division report, Iran and China have the most violations. All other nation-related violations occurred only a few times.  Iran and China occurred 30 and 21 times respectively. While Iran is known to be hostile to the United States, the US government has lauded China as a partner. Despite such rhetoric of collaboration, China has long been known for its asymmetric warfare ideology which includes knowing one’s enemy well and attempting to compromise or defeat them without firing a shot. Stealing US technology and secrets appears more like asymmetric warfare and enemy designation than mutual collaboration. Moreover, in responding to Judicial Watch’s FOIA request, the National Security Division (Department of Justice) released a Homeland Security Affairs article that they keep on file. This report explains that in addition to the Chinese government’s inclination to steal US secrets, its “private” companies also actively seek such secrets. Such private companies, of course, depend upon and cooperate with the central government.   

 

 

The United States will continue to struggle to prevent other nations and entities from engaging in illegal export activities, but without a significant increase of effort to do so, such efforts will barely influence US enemies’ efforts. If US counterterrorism agents and police are able to track down and arrest the offenders, the least the United States can do is prosecute them vigorously. The US may not be able to prevent such theft, but it can exact such a heavy price that individuals will be disinclined to commit these crimes.