Planning for a war with China has dominated Pentagon thinking for decades, well before a possible confrontation with Beijing became more conventional wisdom on Capitol Hill. The United States has built its Air Forces, Navy and Space Forces — and even more recently its Marines and Army forces — with a possible fight against China in mind.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Elon Musk visited the Pentagon but was not briefed on top secret China war plans, as the New York Times reported.