US expert suggests potential strikes on Chinese data centers to curb AGI lead

Jacob Stokes, Deputy Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), has suggested that the United States prepare scenarios involving extreme measures to prevent China from achieving dominance in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). These proposed measures include cyber operations and potential military strikes against Chinese data centers.

Stokes argued during a September 2026 webinar that agencies such as the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency (NSA) should conduct intelligence assessments to justify such actions. He noted that the race for AGI dominance might require options beyond traditional technological embargoes or economic sanctions, drawing parallels to how nuclear weapons were handled in the past.

Chinese state media responded sharply to the proposal. The Global Times published an editorial labeling the idea of military strikes on civilian infrastructure as a ‘dangerous illusion’ that could escalate conflict between nuclear-armed powers, comparing the rhetoric to terrorist actions.