Protecting U.S. Technology - Tuesday Flashes - December 21, 1982

Sep 29, 2026

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A Commonwealth Club of California “Tuesday Flashes” program frames Soviet efforts to acquire U.S. and Western strategic technology as a national security and economic development threat. It describes technology transfer via stolen know-how, gray-market parts, and the resulting impact on military capability, industrial competitiveness, jobs, and prosperity. Speakers and background materials reference White House leadership and intelligence community study of Soviet acquisition activities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Protecting U.S. Technology

Countermeasures and national security impact

Soviet acquisition efforts and intelligence background

Event and ticket information

Commonweallh # "Protecting U.S.Technology” JAN.13 Tuesday Flashes— December 21,1982 The Honorable William FrenchSmith, Attorney Generalof the United States The Soviet's need for technology is in-exhaustible.Since the beginning of itsexperiment in terror,the government ofthe Soviet Union has coveted Americanknow-how.In recent years,as their owntechnological shortcomings have becomeapparent,they have proven themselvesexceedingly adept at stealing what theycovet. The Honorable James A.Baker III Chief of StaffThe White HouseNoon,Thursday For too long,America failed both torecognize the extent of its technologytransfer problem and to develop an effec-tive counterstrategy.We now know whatthe Soviets are about,and we intend tostop them. Continental Ballroom·Hilton HotelSan Francisco The problem is grave,but we have setin motion significant countermeasuresagainst the threat to our national securityand economic development.The loss ofadvanced technologies undermines ourmilitary capability and threatens futurejobs and prosperity.The so-called"gray-market"domestic transfer of stolen partsand processes tarnishes the competitive-ness of our industrial production.Morethan 2700 California companies alonework with classified information,includ-ing over 600 companies within thirtymiles of San Francisco. Advance Tickets-$14 formembers,$17 for guests. As part of a four-man Presidentialback-up team made up of WhiteHouse Counselor Edwin Meese,Deputy Chief of Staff Michael K.Deaver and National SecurityAssistant William P.Clark,James A.Baker is in a prime position tocomment on the question—TheReagan White House:AWell-RunMachine? During the past decade,the UnitedStates relaxed controls on trade with theSoviets in the hope that a resulting mod-eration in their behavior would contrib-ute to world peace.Nevertheless,Sovietbehavior has frustrated American goodwill and hope at every turn.Throughoutthis period,the Soviet Union has steadilyimproved its military weapons.By ac-quiring Free World technology,the Sovi-ets have developed much moresophisticated weaponry than they couldhave otherwise produced on their own. James A.Baker III,as Chief of Stafffor the White House,officiallyoversees White House politics aswell as its staff.In addition,Baker'sstaff has also been involved indomestic issues such as the budgetand taxes. Dr.Henry Hunt KeithQuarterly Chairman Continued on page 10 ADVANCE TICKET SALE PROCEDURE:Mail check with self-addressed,stamped envelope to CommonwealthClub,681Market Street,San Francisco,Ca.94105,or call(415)362-4903 for reservations.Mail orders without a self-addressed,stamped envelope will not be sent in advance,but will be taken to the door for pickup.Phone ordersmust be paid by noon,two working days prior to the meeting,or will be cancelled.A limited number of ticketswill be available at the door on the day of the meeting on a first-come,first served basis. JAN.14 "World WideChallengesto U.S.Security”As Seen by former CIA Director, The Honorable Stansfield Turner Noon,Friday Gold Ballroom Sheraton Palace Hotel Advance Tickets-$12 for members,$15 for guests. What is the current state of U.S.mili-tary readiness?What are the real troublespots of the world today?Where doesU.S.Intelligence stand on these issues?Our speaker,Admiral Stansfield Turneras former director of Central IntelligencewiH seek to answer these questions in hisaddress entitled,"World Wide Chal-lenges to US.Security." In March of 1977,Admiral Turner wassworn in as director of Central Intelli-gence,a post heading both the foreignintelligence agencies of the United Statesand the C.I.A.Admiral Stansfield Turner,formerly Commander-in-Chief of NA-TO'sSouthern Flank,is currently writingand offering consulting services on in-ternational affairs and risk taking.Dr.Henry Hunt KeithQuarterly Chairman Smith A Soviet Study In one of the earliest actions of this ad-ministration,the Central IntelligenceAgency,the Defe

FAQs

What issue does “Protecting U.S. Technology” focus on?

It focuses on the Soviet need and ability to acquire U.S. know-how and Western strategic technology, and the resulting risks to U.S. national security and economic development.

Why does the program describe technology transfer as grave?

Advanced technology losses undermine military capability and threaten jobs and prosperity, while gray-market domestic transfers of stolen parts harm industrial competitiveness.

What intelligence-related work is referenced in the program?

It mentions a comprehensive study prepared by multiple U.S. intelligence and defense agencies assessing Soviet efforts to acquire and use U.S. and Western strategic technology in weapon systems.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Sarah