The podcast episode from The New York Times' The Daily, hosted by Sabrina Tavernisi, features David Sanger discussing a significant cyberattack by China on the U.S. telecommunications infrastructure. This attack, named Salt Typhoon, was orchestrated by the Chinese Ministry of State Security and targeted major telecom companies like AT&T and Verizon, as well as smaller communication systems. The hack allowed Chinese operatives to penetrate deeply into the U.S. phone network, gaining access to sensitive communications and potentially compromising national security. The discussion reveals that the telecom companies were unaware of the breach for up to two years until Microsoft researchers identified the intrusion. The hackers were able to access unencrypted texts and potentially listen to conversations of high-profile individuals, including national security officials and politicians. The breach also exposed vulnerabilities in the U.S. government's ability to conduct lawful surveillance, as the hackers could identify which phone numbers were being tapped. The episode highlights the broader implications of China's growing cyber capabilities, which have been significantly enhanced under President Xi Jinping's leadership. The Chinese have shifted their focus from military to more sophisticated state security operations, improving their stealth and effectiveness in cyber espionage. The podcast underscores the urgent need for the U.S. to enhance its cybersecurity measures and the challenges posed by outdated infrastructure and the evolving geopolitical landscape.