Representatives August Pfluger (R-TX) and Ami Bera (D-CA) introduced the Gray Zone Defense Assessment Act on July 14, along with Representatives Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Darrell Issa (R-CA). This bipartisan legislation, also known as HR 9096, directs the U.S. to lay out a plan to effectively counter gray zone aggression while strengthening national security.
“The future of warfare is evolving,” Pfluger said in a July 17 press release. “We risk falling behind the curve if our nation fails to adapt and identify unconventional threats like information warfare, coercive investments and bribery, malign industrial policies, and more. The Gray Zone Defense Act is a critical first step in ensuring that the United States is prepared to assess and counter all threats to our national security.”
According to the press release, the Gray Zone Defense Act mandates coordination and evaluation among the Department of Defense, State Department and Director of National Intelligence to address gray zone aggression. The bill also requires an annual assessment of gray zone threats from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba and Syria to the U.S.
The U.S. military focus for 20 years has been on countering violent extremists, but that has released vulnerabilities to unconventional threats in competition. Russia has used private military companies to seize territories illegally, China employs coercive economic practices through Belt and Road Initiatives, and Iran uses proxies worldwide for terrorism and money laundering to achieve national objectives in the "Gray Zone," according to the press release.
According to the release, the gray zone is described as geopolitical, economic, military actions and cyber and information operations that go further than normal diplomatic activities but go below kinetic military force. Tactics utilized in the gray zone include information warfare; encouraging internal strife within targeted countries; subversive economic practices; support for domestic and international proxies; coercive investment and bribery for political aims; an industrial policy designed to monopolize a strategic industry or to destroy such an industry in other nations; military and paramilitary provocations and operations short of war; hostage diplomacy; and changes in internationally recognized borders.
Pfluger is currently serving his second term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represents 20 counties in Texas' 11th congressional district, which includes Midland, Odessa, San Angelo, Killeen, Brownwood and Llano, according to his official website.