--- title: "US Pentagon names Confucius Institutes national security threat" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/us-pentagon-names-confucius-institutes-national-security-threat" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/us-pentagon-names-confucius-institutes-national-security-threat" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/us-pentagon-names-confucius-institutes-national-security-threat.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/us-pentagon-names-confucius-institutes-national-security-threat" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-10-24T07:46:00.914Z" source_reported: "2026-10-24T07:22:01.505Z" updated: "2026-10-24T07:46:00.914Z" trust_score: 58 critic_score: 60 hype_score: 30 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-24T07:45:10.164947+00:00" --- # US Pentagon names Confucius Institutes national security threat *Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the move, citing intellectual property theft and infiltration.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 58 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named body, with specific figures and dates, and two independent outlets quoted. - Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. Quotes from affected parties, clear fact/comment separation, and specific details provided. - Hype 30 of 100, lower is better. The language used is largely neutral, with a straightforward headline and no sensationalism. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - The US Department of Defense has designated Confucius Institutes as a threat to national security. - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the designation, stating the institutes are propaganda tools that steal intellectual property. - Hegseth said 80 new propaganda cells across 30 universities have been identified and dismantled by the Pentagon. - The Chinese embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment. The US Department of Defense has designated Confucius Institutes, Chinese-funded cultural centres on university campuses, as a threat to US national security. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the move, stating the Pentagon added the organisations to its list of institutions that threaten national security. Washington has long accused the centres of serving as Chinese propaganda tools and has taken steps to crack down on them. Hegseth stated that 80 new propaganda cells across 30 universities had appeared using different names and charters but with the same mission: to steal intellectual property and to infiltrate the minds of American students. He added that the Pentagon has systematically dismantled these organisations over the past two months. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment. ## Conflicting details on the number of dismantled organisations Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia, in their full reports, state that the Pentagon has systematically dismantled "every single one of these organisations." However, other reports, including digests from Khabarhub and Arab News, do not specify the number of organisations dismantled, and some, like IndexHR, mention that the Pentagon "banned and dismantled" them without providing a count. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated or centre-rated reports below mention the specific date Pete Hegseth announced the move, although Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia note it was on a Friday. The right-rated reports also do not specify the date of the announcement. ## Who covered it Shares of the 26 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 19% (5) - Centre: 23% (6) - Right: 58% (15) 30 of 56 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-24T07:45:10.164947+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 2 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-24T08:15:19.441Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports led with the Pentagon's designation of Confucius Institutes as a national security threat. These reports highlighted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's statements, particularly his claim that 80 new propaganda cells had emerged across 30 universities with the mission to steal intellectual property and infiltrate students' minds. Al Jazeera's full report quoted Hegseth saying the Pentagon had "systematically dismantled every single one of these organisations" over the past two months. IndexHR's digest reported Hegseth stating China had infiltrated American universities, and in.gr's digest mentioned the Pentagon banned and dismantled Chinese educational institutions to prevent them from "penetrating the consciousness of American students" through "propaganda." ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on the Pentagon's designation of Confucius Institutes as a national security threat. These reports included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's accusations that the institutes were stealing intellectual property and spreading propaganda on American university campuses. Channel News Asia and Digi 24 both reported Hegseth's statement about 80 new propaganda cells across 30 universities with the same mission. TRT World's digest quoted Hegseth accusing the centres of trying to "steal intellectual property and to infiltrate the minds of American students." ### Right - Right-rated reports highlighted the Pentagon's designation of Confucius Institutes as a national security threat. These reports frequently mentioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's claims about the institutes being propaganda tools and the identification of new "propaganda cells." Malay Mail's digest stated the Pentagon put the institutes on a US security threat list. Protothema's digest reported Hegseth claiming 80 new cores were identified at 30 universities, aimed at stealing intellectual property. News-pravda.com's digest reported Hegseth announcing the introduction of "propaganda cells" sponsored by Chinese authorities into American universities, identifying 80 such organisations in 30 universities. Voz.us's digest stated Hegseth accused organisations related to these programs of trying to influence American students and obtain intellectual property. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 1 - low: 3 - mixed: 6 - high: 14 - unknown: 30 - veryHigh: 2 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Khabarhub](https://khabarhub.com/2026/24/1039773) — America's Confucius Institute Considered a Threat to National Security, Preparing to Close It - [Al Arabiya](https://english.alarabiya.net/News/united-states/2026/10/24/chinafunded-confucius-institutes-deemed-us-national-security-threat-hegseth) — China-funded Confucius Institutes deemed US national security threat ... - [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/world-news/pentagon-designates-confucius-institutes-a-national-security-threat-4970468) — Pentagon designates Confucius Institutes in US a national security threat - [Digi 24](https://digi24.ro/stiri/externe/sua/pentagonul-desemneaza-institutele-confucius-din-sua-drept-o-amenintare-la-adresa-securitatii-nationale-4006915) — The Pentagon Designates the U.S. Confucius Institutes as a Threat to National Security - [www.economica.net](https://economica.net/pentagonul-desemneaza-institutele-confucius-din-sua-drept-o-amenintare-la-adresa-securitatii-nationale_988874.html) — The Pentagon Designates the U.S. Confucius Institutes as a Threat to National Security - [Hot News](https://hotnews.ro/iesire-dura-a-lui-hegseth-contra-chinei-se-pare-ca-au-aparut-80-de-noi-celule-de-propaganda-2385187) — Hegseth's Harsh Release Against China: "It Seems that 80 New Propaganda Cells Have Emerged - HotNews.ro - [iDNES.cz](https://idnes.cz/zpravy/zahranicni/pentagon-konfuciovy-insituty-usa-hrozba-narodni-bezpecnost-hegseth.A261024_074743_zahranicni_linh) — China's Confucius Institutes Threaten US National Security, Pentagon Chief Hegseth Says - [newsweek.ro](https://newsweek.ro/international/institutele-confucius-din-universitatile-americane-finantate-de-china-declarate-amenintari-de-sua) — Institutele Confucius, Finanțate De China, Declarate Alenențări La Addressa Securității De SUA. Cu Ce Se Ocupă? • Newsweek Romania - [thefinancialexpress.com.bd](https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/america/pentagon-designates-confucius-institutes-a-national-security-threat) — Pentagon designates Confucius Institutes a national security threat - [i-cable.com](https://i-cable.com/%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E%E8%B3%87%E8%A8%8A/516019/%E7%BE%8E%E5%9C%8B%E6%88%B0%E7%88%AD%E9%83%A8%E5%B0%87%E5%AD%94%E5%AD%90%E5%AD%B8%E9%99%A2%E5%88%97%E5%9C%8B%E5%AE%89%E5%A8%81%E8%84%85-%E6%B6%89%E7%AB%8A%E5%8F%96%E7%9F%A5%E8%AD%98%E7%94%A2) — The U.S. War Department Has Listed Confucius Institutes as a National Security Threat, Alleging Intellectual Property Theft and Ideological Infiltration of Students; Related Organizations Have Already Been Dismantled. - [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/3072170/hegseth-acusa-institutos-chineses-em-universidades-de-serem-ameaca) — Hegseth Accuses Chinese Institutes in Universities of Being a Threat - [The Business Standard](https://tbsnews.net/worldbiz/usa/pentagon-designates-confucius-institutes-us-national-security-threat-1581381) — Pentagon designates Confucius Institutes in US a national security threat - [newscord.org](https://newscord.org/article/pete-hegseth-designates-confucius-institutes-threatening-us-national-security--Story_20261024_ca4297c9) — Pete Hegseth Designates Confucius Institutes Threatening US National Security: 9 outlets compared - [Financial Intelligence](https://financialintelligence.ro/pentagonul-califica-institutele-confucius-din-sua-drept-o-amenintare-la-adresa-securitatii-nationale) — The Pentagon Qualifies the U.S. Confucius Institutes as a Threat to National Security - [topky.sk](https://topky.sk/cl/11/9538077/USA-zaradili-Konfuciove-instituty-na-ciernu-listinu--Washington-v-nich-vidi-hrozbu-pre-bezpecnost) — US Blacklists Confucius Institutes: Washington Sees Them as a Security Threat - [Aleph News](https://alephnews.ro/guvern/pete-hegseth-declara-institutele-confucius-o-amenintare-la-securitatea-nationala-pentagonul-acuza-china-de-propaganda-in-universitati) — US Declares Confucius Institutes a Threat to National Security - [IndexHR](https://index.hr/vijesti/clanak/video-hegseth-kina-se-infiltrirala-na-americka-sveucilista/2849165.aspx) — VIDEO Hegseth: China Has Infiltrated American Universities - [notiziegeopolitiche.net](https://notiziegeopolitiche.net/il-pentagono-dichiara-gli-istituti-confucio-cinesi-una-minaccia-alla-sicurezza-80-cellule-di-propaganda-in-30-universita) — The Pentagon Declares the Chinese Confucius Institutes a Threat to Security: 80 Propaganda Cells in 30 Universities - [AlKhaleej Today](https://alkhaleejtoday.co/international/5866162/Pentagon-puts-Confucius-Institutes-on-US-security-threat-list.html) — Pentagon Puts Confucius Institutes on US Security Threat List - [Malay Mail](https://malaymail.com/news/world/2026/10/24/pentagon-puts-confucius-institutes-on-us-security-threat-list/240417) — Pentagon puts China-funded Confucius Institutes on US security threat list - [Arab News](https://arabnews.jp/en/japan/us-defense-department-designates-chinas-confucius-institutes-a-national-security-threat-3001035) — The U.S. Department of Defense Has Designated China's Confucius Institutes as a Threat to National Security. - [大纪元 Epoch Times](https://epochtimes.com/b5/26/10/24/n14875807.htm) — The Pentagon Has Designated Confucius Institutes as a Security Threat to the United States. - [FNN.jpプライムオンライン](https://fnn.jp/articles/-/1139094) — U.S. Defense Secretary Heggesses Designates Chinese Government-Backed "Confucius Institutes" as a "National Security Threat," Stating They Are "Established with the Aim of Brainwashing Students and Stealing Intellectual Property" - [aljazeera.net](https://aljazeera.net/news/2026/10/24/%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%b4%d9%86%d8%b7%d9%86-%d8%aa%d8%b5%d9%86%d9%81-%d9%85%d8%b9%d8%a7%d9%87%d8%af-%d9%83%d9%88%d9%86%d9%81%d9%88%d8%b4%d9%8a%d9%88%d8%b3-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b5%d9%8a%d9%86%d9%8a%d8%a9) — Confucius Is a Threat to American National Security. - [ΑΘΗΝΑ 9,84](https://athina984.gr/2026/10/24/oi-ipa-vazoyn-sto-stochastro-organoseis-en-ypnosei-kinezikon-institoyton-se-amerikanika-panepistimia) — US Targets 'Sleeper Organizations' of Chinese Institutes at American Universities - [Al Jazeera](https://aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/24/pentagon-designates-confucius-institutes-a-national-security-threat) — Pentagon designates Confucius Institutes a national security threat - [MSNBCTV NEWS](https://msnbctv.news/pentagon-designates-confucius-institutes-a-national-security-threat-education-news) — Pentagon designates Confucius Institutes a national security threat - [regionalmedianews.com](https://regionalmedianews.com/world/pentagon-designates-confucius-institutes-in-us-a-national-security-threat) — Pentagon designates Confucius Institutes in US a national security threat - Regional Media News - [Protothema](https://protothema.gr/world/article/1899829/apeili-gia-tin-ethniki-asfaleia-ton-ipa-ta-kinezika-institouta-komfoukios-kataggelies-gia-kataskopeia-kai-propagand) — Chinese Confucius Institutes a Threat to US National Security, Accusations of Espionage and Propaganda - [zougla.gr](https://zougla.gr/kosmos/chegkseth-apeili-gia-tin-ethniki-asfaleia-ta-kinezika-institouta-komfoukios-stis-ipa) — Hegseth: Chinese Confucius Institutes in the US a "Threat to National Security" - [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/10/24/2690778.html) — The head of the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, announced the introduction of "propaganda cells" sponsored by the Chinese authorities in American universities - [www.ertnews.gr](https://ertnews.gr/eidiseis/ipa-sto-stoxastro-80-organoseis-pou-syndeontai-me-ta-kinezika-institouta-komfoukios) — US: 80 Organizations Linked to Chinese Confucius Institutes Targeted - [Business Daily](https://businessdaily.gr/diethni/239835_oi-ipa-stoheyoyn-kinezika-institoyta-komfoykios-gia-apeili-ethnikis-asfaleias) — US Targets Chinese Institutes at American Universities - [CHOCHILINO](https://chochilino.com/pentagon-designates-confucius-institutes-as-threat-to-u-s-national-security) — Pentagon Designates Confucius Institutes as Security Threat - [El Economista](https://eleconomista.com.mx/internacionales/eu-designa-amenaza-centros-culturales-financiados-china-universidades-eu-20261023-840266.html) — U.S. Designates China-Funded Cultural Centres at U.S. Universities as "Threat" - [Mediafax](https://mediafax.ro/externe/pentagonul-declara-institutele-confucius-din-universitatile-americane-drept-amenintari-la-securitatea-nationala-23830904) — Pentagon Declares Confucius Institutes in American Universities as Threats to National Security - [Channel News Asia](https://channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/pentagon-designates-china-funded-confucius-institutes-us-national-security-threat-6488301) — Pentagon designates China-funded Confucius Institutes as US national security threat - [PressNewsAgency](https://pressnewsagency.org/pentagon-designates-china-funded-confucius-institutes-as-us-national-security-threat) — Pentagon designates China-funded Confucius Institutes as US national security threat - [Clarin](https://clarin.com/estados-unidos/eeuu-designa-como-amenaza-a-centros-financiados-por-china_0_xtILRB4lYh.html) — US Designates China-Funded Centers as "Threat" - [voz.us](https://voz.us/es/politica/261024/40255/pete-hegseth-china-confucius-institutes.html) — Pentagon Declares Confucius Institutes a Threat to U.S. National Security · Global Voices - [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/54ad9a00b66b10de) — US labels Confucius Institutes as national security threat - [Free Malaysia Today News](https://freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/10/24/pentagon-designates-confucius-institutes-in-us-a-national-security-threat) — Pentagon designates Confucius Institutes in US a national security threat - [vz.ru](https://vz.ru/news/2026/10/24/1467176.html) — Hegsett Announced the Work of Secret Chinese Cells at U.S. Universities. - [The Epoch Times](https://theepochtimes.com/us/war-department-designates-confucius-institutes-a-national-security-threat-6108293) — War Department Designates Confucius Institutes a National Security Threat - [Washington Examiner](https://washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense/4778256/hegseth-dismantling-china-organizations-universities) — Hegseth dismantles Chinese 'sleeper organizations' at universities - [armedforces.press](https://armedforces.press/pentagon/2026/10/23/hegseth-says-pentagon-has-designated-confucius-institutes-a-national-security-threat) — Hegseth Says Pentagon Has Designated Confucius Institutes A National Security Threat - Armed Forces Press - [Arab News](https://arabnews.com/world/us-defense-department-designates-chinas-confucius-institutes-a-national-security-threat-3007970) — US Defense Department designates China’s Confucius Institutes a national security threat - [Unknown](https://alquds.co.uk/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%BA%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%B5%D9%86%D9%91%D9%81-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%AF-%D9%83%D9%88%D9%86%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B4%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%B3-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A3%D9%85) — The Pentagon Classifies Confucius Institutes in America as a Threat to National Security. - [24sata.hr](https://24sata.hr/news/pentagon-proglasio-kineske-institute-prijetnjom-infiltrirali-su-americka-sveucilista-1163375) — Pentagon Declares Chinese Institutes a Threat: 'They Have Infiltrated American Universities' - [in.gr](https://in.gr/2026/10/24/world/oi-ipa-katigoroun-ta-idrymata-confucius-institutes-tis-kinas-os-exthrous-gia-tin-ethniki-asfaleia) — US Accuses China's Confucius Institutes of Being 'Enemies of National Security' - [The Star Kuala Lumpur](https://thestar.com.my/news/world/2026/10/24/pentagon-designates-confucius-institutes-in-us-a-national-security-threat) — Pentagon designates Confucius Institutes in US a national security threat - [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/asia/pentagon-designates-confucius-institutes-in-us-a-national-security-threat) — Pentagon designates Confucius Institutes in US a national security threat - [TRT World](https://trtworld.com/article/68304e281214) — Pentagon labels Confucius Institutes in US a national security threat - [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/10/23/pentagon-designates-confucius-institutes-a-national-security-threat) — Pentagon designates Confucius Institutes a national security threat - [Folha de S.Paulo](https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/mundo/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mundo/2026/10/eua-classificam-institutos-confucio-como-ameaca-a-seguranca-nacional.shtml) — USA Classifies Confucian Institute as a Security Threat - [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/china/pentagon-designates-confucius-institutes-national-security-threat-2026-10-23) — Pentagon designates Confucius Institutes in US a national security ... ## Questions **What are Confucius Institutes?** Confucius Institutes are Chinese-funded cultural centres located on university campuses in the United States. They are intended to promote Chinese language and culture. However, the US Department of Defense has designated them as a threat to national security. **Why has the Pentagon designated Confucius Institutes a threat?** Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Confucius Institutes are propaganda tools used to steal intellectual property and infiltrate the minds of American students. He announced that 80 new propaganda cells across 30 universities, operating under different names, have been identified and dismantled. **Did China respond to the designation?** The Chinese embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment from news outlets that reported on the Pentagon's designation of Confucius Institutes as a national security threat. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/us-pentagon-names-confucius-institutes-national-security-threat. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "US Pentagon names Confucius Institutes national security threat", https://mediabias.news/politics/us-pentagon-names-confucius-institutes-national-security-threat