Thursday,
November 14, 2024 - U.S.
President-elect, Donald Trump has appointed John Ratcliffe, a close ally
who was director of national intelligence at the end of his first term, to
serve as director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
"I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in
both of our Nation’s highest Intelligence positions. He will be a fearless
fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans, while ensuring the
Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH," Trump
said in a statement announcing the nomination.
Ratcliffe, who previously led the nation’s intelligence community during
Trump’s first term, would be the first person to have held both the CIA and DNI
roles if confirmed.
Ratcliffe, a staunch Trump supporter, served as director of national
intelligence from May 2020 until January 2021, overseeing U.S. intelligence
during a period of significant international challenges and domestic tensions.
Recently, he co-chaired the Center for American Security, a think tank
aligned with Trump’s policy positions, and advised the president-elect on
national security during the 2024 campaign.
In his previous tenure as DNI, Ratcliffe cited Iran’s military
development, North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, and foreign election interference
as priority issues.
His track record as DNI has been marked by staunch positions,
particularly on China and the Middle East, which may signal his approach if he
assumes leadership of the CIA.
Since leaving office, Ratcliffe has been a vocal critic of the Biden
administration’s approach to the Middle East, taking aim at its response to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In a June article, he argued that President Biden’s threat to withhold
weapons from Israel over its actions in Gaza jeopardised a crucial US ally and
emboldened adversaries in the region. Ratcliffe also warned that the
administration had not shown enough firmness toward Iran.
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