Fair enough, although I will say that if the culprit was China I doubt some folks would be so “reticent.”
Russia bought, indirectly, a Hell of a lot of sensitive technology and equipment straight from the same manufacturers that make it for the military. That was pretty much sniffed at as no big deal in the nineties but it was still, technically, illegal and without a doubt harmful to our own security. I'm not the least bit reticent to blame Russia for all sorts of things, including all levels of espionage.
I am reticent when it comes to believing they're stupid enough to do some of what they're accused of although the current crop of Generals and Admirals in the US is making me rethink my assessment of how probable it is some nitwit, basically stupid, General would do something no matter what uniform they wear (USMC excepted, and for the most part, the US Navy as well but don't tell the Yo Ho Ho boyz I said that).
Angleton was half-cracked, he was paranoid, and he had an evil streak a mile wide, all that's true. But he was absolutely right when he insisted the CIA was riddled with moles. Walker and Ames aren't the flukes authorities would have us believe they were and now look at who passes as FBI director or head of the CIA these day.
We're gutting ourselves so fast Russia, China, and anyone else who wants something can just keep raising their bid in a few places where word will get around until what they want shows up along with proof it's the real deal. No muss, no fuss, no risk. Why take a risk when you can just buy what you want? It's not like Russia or China are short of gold or whatever currency a seller prefers.
People running to the front window of the store to see the bloody wreck of the day don't notice the stuff going out the back door and if bloody wrecks fail, there's always someones booty to stare at. When I saw this story I started looking for the back page stories about what the Saudis and Iranians have stolen lately since this will without a doubt get more play.
JMHo