Headline: US Thinktank Chief Charged in Absentia with China-Linked Offenses, Arms Trafficking, and Violations of Sanctions on Iran In a shocking turn of events, Gal Luft, the director of a Washington-based thinktank, has been charged with a series of serious offenses, including China-linked corruption, arms trafficking, and violations of sanctions on Iran. Luft, a dual US-Israeli citizen and co-director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS), has been at the center of controversy recently, accused by Republicans of being a “missing” witness against President Joe Biden. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan revealed that Luft is facing charges of acting as an unregistered agent of China, as well as attempting to broker the sale of weapons and Iranian oil. The accusations also include failing to register as a foreign agent and making false statements. The charges stem from Luft"s alleged recruitment and payment of a former high-ranking US government official on behalf of Chinese principals in 2016. Although the identity of the former official remains undisclosed, prosecutors did mention that the individual was working as an adviser to then President-elect Donald Trump. Luft is accused of exerting pressure on the adviser to support policies favorable to China, including drafting comments in the adviser"s name published in a Chinese newspaper. The case against Luft took an unexpected twist when he was arrested in Cyprus in February on US charges. However, he managed to escape after being released on bail while awaiting extradition. Currently, Luft is not in US custody, and his whereabouts are unknown. Prosecutors have detailed Luft"s alleged involvement in brokering deals for Chinese companies to sell weapons to countries like Libya, the United Arab Emirates, and Kenya. Shockingly, Luft is accused of facilitating meetings between Iranian officials and a Chinese energy company to discuss oil deals, despite the existing US sanctions on Iran. Luft, who maintains a Twitter account with a significant following, denied the charges in a tweet, claiming, "I"ve never been an arms dealer." However, he has not yet responded to Reuters" request for comment. The Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, where Luft serves as co-director, describes itself as a thinktank focused on energy, security, and economic trends. As the news broke, the thinktank remained silent, declining to comment on the charges against Luft. As this high-profile case unfolds, it raises questions about potential connections between US thinktanks and foreign governments, as well as the impact of such alleged actions on national security and international relations. The legal proceedings against Luft will undoubtedly be closely watched as the truth behind the accusations emerges.