The Department of Defense has notified 30 US universities to conduct immediate audits of their academic, financial and research partnerships with foreign entities. The list includes Harvard, MIT and Johns Hopkins, with a deadline set for August 31.

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The audit and the Harvard Global case

Institutions must review their ties with foreign universities and military training centers, primarily in China. This follows a House report alleging that Harvard Global routed approximately $630 million in Chinese funding while bypassing federal disclosure laws. The Pentagon has threatened to cut federal grants for non-compliance.

Context of US-China tensions

This action is part of the Trump administration's broader strategy to isolate Beijing from critical scientific resources. As noted in Washington imposes a choice: Pax Silica or the Chinese framework, the US is forcing partners to choose between Western coalitions and Chinese influence. This university audit represents the academic front of a technological cold war that has already led to sanctions against firms like Moonshot AI.

Academic sector reactions

Higher education groups have criticized the Pentagon for implying wrongdoing without presenting public evidence. Experts warn that this political pressure could stifle academic freedom and undermine the role of US universities as global innovation hubs.