CIA Director John Ratcliffe arrived in Moscow on August 25, 2026, aboard a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III for roughly eight hours of unannounced, direct meetings with Russian security officials. Washington reportedly dispatched the intelligence chief to directly warn Moscow against potential further military mobilization and hybrid actions designed to test NATO's defensive resolve. The trip also potentially served to deliver sanctions warnings under Operation Economic Outcast regarding Russian commercial ties to Iran while urging Russian mediation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Read full defense news at this link...
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| CIA Director John Ratcliffe flew to Moscow aboard the first U.S. Air Force C-17 to visit the Russian capital in nine years to warn Russia against further military mobilization and actions testing NATO resolve, while seeking Moscow’s help in pressuring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. (Picture source: Telegram/CyberspecNews) |