Sullivan's policy interview China, Korea, Ukraine, Iran

May 15, 2023

Margaret Brennan introduces President Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan in CBS's edited July 16, 2023 interview. Sullivan says an intrusion through Microsoft's cloud reached U.S. agencies' unclassified email, that the U.S. government detected it, alerted Microsoft and shut it down, and that steps are being taken to prevent recurrence and hold relevant actors responsible. He says he has no reason to dispute Microsoft's account of China-based actors; this release does not contain a formal U.S. attribution announcement. Brennan cites the Treasury secretary's suggestion that China's decision to cut off ingredients for computer chips starting August 1 may be retaliation for U.S. technology restrictions, and asks about escalation. Sullivan says he cannot know China's motivation. He calls the decision self-defeating because it will encourage other countries to reduce dependencies and strengthen critical-mineral supply chains. He defends narrowly targeted national-security technology restrictions and says Washington is not seeking to end all trade with China. Brennan asks about North Korea's recent intercontinental missile test and a possible seventh nuclear test. Sullivan remains concerned but sees no immediate indication of a nuclear test. He describes close monitoring and coordination with Japan and South Korea. He says there have been no new diplomatic overtures since the latest test, while reiterating the administration's readiness for talks without preconditions. He calls for China to discourage destabilizing tests, which he says prompt stronger U.S. and allied activities and posture. On the Black Sea food-export initiative, Sullivan cannot predict Putin's decision and says either Russian withdrawal or continuation is possible. He warns that withdrawal would harm affordable food access in the Global South and impose a large diplomatic cost on Russia. He says Washington is prepared for either scenario and working with Ukraine; Brennan says the initiative is due to expire at midnight the next day. Asked whether NATO's future-membership pledge could encourage Russia to prolong the war, Sullivan says Ukraine is pressing Russian lines in the south and east and inflicting enormous damage. He describes Western sanctions as weakening Russia's defense industry, forecasts continuing Ukrainian battlefield progress and grave costs for Russia, and pledges support for as long as necessary. He says Ukraine's future in NATO is not negotiable and that all 31 allies have committed to it. These are his claims, forecasts and policy assurances, not independently established battlefield outcomes or an accession timetable. On Iran, Sullivan says indirect contacts seek the release of four Americans he calls unjustly detained, but no understanding has been reached and work continues. In the follow-up he says the administration is not close to any nuclear deal. Finally, Brennan asks about Rob Malley's reported suspension and security-clearance review. Sullivan praises his service and says he cannot discuss the current circumstances, referring her to the State Department. The complete exchange and closing are retained without asserting a finding about Malley.

An intrusion through Microsoft's cloud reached U.S. government agencies' unclassified email systems. In his July 16 CBS account, Jake Sullivan says the U.S. government discovered it, alerted Microsoft and shut it down, with work to prevent recurrence. He does not dispute Microsoft's attribution to China-based actors. The precise end of the intrusion is not established in the retrieved broadcast.