Donald Trump has just designated John Ratcliffe as the new director of the CIA. A former Texas congressman, Ratcliffe was the Director of National Intelligence in 2020. He is one of the president’s main allies. He was probably also chosen to reform the well-known intelligence agency. We interviewed him in October 2023 and he spoke to us about the Iranian threat, the Five Eyes and the CIA itself.
John Ratcliffe, you wrote on the Wall Street Journal that the CIA has politicized intelligence on China and Covid. How do you explain it?
«There are two reasons: some political and other economic. On an economic level, there are strong interests in the US in protecting China: on the part of Wall Street, Silicon Valley, Hollywood and even Washington DC. There are many financial interests at stake, and some fear that if China is perceived negatively, it could impact American companies’ opportunities and investments in China. These factors have led to a reluctance to accuse China unlike, for example, Russia, where there are no strong economic ties with our country. Then there are political interests in protecting China on the part of someone in the American government. The general perception was that former President Trump was very tough on China. As a result, the Chinese leadership preferred the election of Joe Biden. Interests in the American bureaucracy and even some CIA analysts wanted Trump not to be re-elected: they therefore let this political interest influence their intelligence analyses. This isn’t just my opinion. The U.S. intelligence community ombudsman interviewed analysts who admitted that these factors played a role in their analyses. They admitted that they did not want intelligence information against China to be used to help Trump or to damage Biden’s election prospects.”
Do you think it is possible to strengthen cooperation between Italy and the USA in intelligence matters? Will Rome be able to join the Five Eyes one day?
«For the first question, the answer is yes. I believe the US and Italy already have a very good relationship with regards to our intelligence communities and our willingness to share information on national security threats. Although not part of the Five Eyes, Italy, France and Germany are important allies in Europe. Let’s work together against the interests of Russia and China. I don’t think that Italy will join the Five Eyes in the short term, because it is not necessary to become a member of the Five Eyes to work closely together. However, I think that if circumstances were to change and it was in the best interests of both countries to share intelligence information in this alliance, entry could be a possibility.”
What should Biden do in the context of the crisis in Israel?
«Hamas’ attack is not only against Israel. It is also an attack against American citizens. We believe at least 30 Americans were killed in the Hamas attacks. There are also some Americans among the approximately 200 hostages. Therefore, President Biden’s first responsibility is to ensure the release of every American hostage and to further protect American interests and lives affected by these attacks. The US has suffered direct aggression from Hamas and therefore from Iran, which is clearly directing, coordinating and working to aid Hamas. At this point, an additional responsibility of President Biden is to support Israel, which is an important strategic, military and moral ally of ours in the Middle East. I would expect the president to fulfill his responsibilities as commander in chief to support and work with the Israeli military and intelligence in support of their operations against Hamas in Gaza. It should also help them respond to any further provocations or aggression against Israeli or American interests by either Hezbollah or Iran.”
So you believe that Iran was involved in organizing the Hamas attack.
“Yes. It is almost certain that Iran at least gave its approval to this Hamas operation. According to American intelligence, it is confirmed that every Hamas operation is approved and in some cases directed and ordered by Iran, which is Hamas’ main financial benefactor. Both US intelligence and open sources confirm that nearly 70% of all Hamas funding comes from Iran. What occurred is the largest operation ever carried out by Hamas terrorists. I can almost certainly say that Iran has at least given its approval to this operation. Furthermore, Hamas leaders have publicly stated that the Republic of Iran approved this operation several weeks before it was implemented.”
But then why has Biden initiated an appeasement towards Iran in 2021?
«In my opinion, he restored Barack Obama’s approach to Iran. Many Americans view the Biden administration as essentially a third term of the Obama administration. Numerous members of the Biden administration, including most of his national security team, worked in the Obama administration. As you well know, President Obama has not been a strong ally and friend in supporting Israel. At times, he courted Iran and entered into the JCPOA: the nuclear agreement between the US and Iran, from which the Trump administration subsequently withdrew.”
Appointed by Donald Trump, John Ratcliffe was Director of US National Intelligence from May 2020 to January 2021.
(Interview published in La Verità on 21 October 2023)
