Your account has been succesfully created.

EN FR

The Morning Brief
Log in

Password

Keep me logged in

Forgot your password?
Subscribe

Spotlight | United States
From the CIA to the White House, the striking rise of John Ratcliffe

CIA Director John Ratcliffe, 25 March 2025. In the background, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard. © Jim Lo Scalzo/EFE/Newscom/MaxPPP

The CIA's indispensable John Ratcliffe (1/2): The former Texas congressman is overshadowing Donald Trump's intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard. The political skill of the agency's head also serves to highlight the missteps of many of his colleagues. [...]

Published on 19/08/2025 at 04:00 GMT Reading time 5 minutes Raphaël Ramos

This article may be accessed by subscribers

In order to ensure high-quality and independent journalism, Intelligence Online relies solely on subscriptions from its readers, with no advertising, no events and no consulting work.

Several offers are available depending on your particular reading needs

Consult our offers

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

Create your free account

Discover our work by making use of the following possibilities: daily newsletters, a selection of free articles, keyword alerts.

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

create a free account

Spotlight | United States
Congress to question Trump's intelligence chiefs next week

Iran, Venezuela and the major changes that have shaken the US intelligence community over the past year will be on the agenda for this eagerly awaited public hearing of Tulsi Gabbard, John Ratcliffe and Kash Patel.

Subscribers only Agencies 11.03.2026

From left to right: FBI Director Kash Patel, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe during a Senate hearing in Washington, DC, on 25 March 2025.

United States
Departure of Tulsi Gabbard ally deals further blow to strategic analysis at ODNI

The chairman of the National Intelligence Council, whose views are aligned with those of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, has stepped down, making it the second time in less than a year that the intelligence community's highest analytical body is left without a leader.

Subscribers only Agencies 28.01.2026

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard at the White House in Washington DC, on 2 December 2025.

Spotlight | France, United States
Former CIA chief Burns in low-key Paris visit

William Burns, who headed the agency under Joe Biden from 2021 to 2025, gave a talk in the French capital for clients of investment bank Evercore, where he is a senior adviser. The spymaster specifically highlighted the threat China poses to the West.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel, Back-door diplomacy 26.01.2026

United States
Conservative think tanks mirror rifts in US security apparatus after Caracas op

Donald Trump posture of restraint during his first term helped to rally an anti-interventionist movement which has grown during his second term. The US operation in Venezuela on 3 January took his supporters by surprise.

Subscribers only Agencies 13.01.2026

US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a meeting with US oil company executives in the White House, on 9 January 2026.

Spotlight | Venezuela
Beijing and Moscow conspicuously absent from Caracas intel support before US attack

Russian and Chinese intelligence support in Caracas appears to have been minimal both before and during Washington's military operation on Saturday. Analysis of US imagery shows that the operation had been in the works since October.

Subscribers only Operations, Space 08.01.2026

Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro protesting in downtown Caracas against the US attacks on 3 January 2026.

United States
ODNI bans Swiss cybersecurity firm Acronis from working with US intelligence

The US intelligence services are no longer allowed to work with the Swiss company and must remove its products from intelligence community systems.

Subscribers only Cybersecurity, Contractors 12.12.2025

Swiss firm Acronis co-founder Serguei Beloussov, in Bremen, Germany, on 23 September 2021.

United States
Fight against Chinese and Russian influence makes Washington comeback

Contrary to the policy pursued by the Trump administration, Congress is planning to create two specialised units in the State Department to combat Chinese and Russian influence. A strategy to fight foreign interference is also in the works.

Subscribers only Information wars 12.12.2025

United States
Tulsi Gabbard without military adviser as Caribbean tensions rise

The job of military adviser to the Director of National Intelligence, a vital link between the intelligence community and the Pentagon, remains vacant despite increasing US pressure on drug traffickers and the Venezuelan regime.

Subscribers only Agencies, Operations 21.11.2025

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard at the White House in Washington, DC on 9 October 2025.

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette
High storms at Highgate, Mintz shrinks in Asia, CIA bigwig launches consultancy

Appointments, financial results, new contracts: every Wednesday, we report on events both big and small that matter in the global corporate intelligence community.

LondonHighgate in turmoil

Singapore/Malaysia Mintz Asia suffers slew of senior departures

WashingtonCIA veteran launches his own consultancy

Subscribers only 19.11.2025

Spotlight | United States, Venezuela
Venezuela crisis deepens rift between US spy chief Gabbard and CIA head Ratcliffe

Behind the two leaders' personal quarrels and individual ambitions, two contrasting visions of US foreign policy exist within the intelligence community and the Trump administration.

Subscribers only Agencies, Operations 18.11.2025

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe on 26 March 2025 in Washington.

United States
Washington's OSINT reform under threat from agencies

US lawmakers' plan to streamline the acquisition of commercial data has sparked an outcry within the intelligence community. Several agencies are working to have the reform amended.

Subscribers only Agencies 05.11.2025

US lawmakers Ann Wagner (left) and Chrissy Houlahan leading the bipartisan reform on the management of CAI (Commercially Available Information).

United States
Tulsi Gabbard tightens grip on strategic analysis

ODNI chief Tulsi Gabbard is putting her stamp on the production of strategic estimates by installing allies who share her vision of a foreign policy characterised by ‘restraint'. But she is struggling to stem the erosion of her influence at the White House.

Subscribers only Agencies 14.10.2025

The US Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Tulsi Gabbard, on 21 September 2025.

Spotlight | United States
Tulsi Gabbard to rely more heavily on Project 2025 playbook

Dennis Kirk, a leading architect of the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, now holds a key position at the top US intelligence agency ODNI, as its head, Tulsi Gabbard, has plans to slash its staff by 50%.

Subscribers only Agencies 09.10.2025

Dennis Kirk was appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) in late September 2025.

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette
Éric Léandri splits with comms partner, ex-CIA launches into 'Quantum consulting', former CIA worked for Iskandar Safa

Appointments, financial results, new contracts: every Wednesday, we report on events big and small that matter in the global corporate intelligence community.

Abu Dhabi Éric Léandri splits with comms partner after financial spat

WashingtonSenior CIA official launches into ‘quantum consulting'

WashingtonFormer CIA official reveals work for Iskandar Safa

Subscribers only 08.10.2025

United States
New US counterintelligence chief faces uncertain future

The poor cousin of the US intelligence community, counterintelligence finds itself at a crossroads, with a new director of limited influence and facing contradictory reform plans.

Subscribers only Operations 01.10.2025

United States
Director of CIA's OSINT centre set to depart

The exit of the chief of the CIA's Open Source Enterprise is taking place against a backdrop of political tension in the United States, and at a time when an open source reform is in the works.

Subscribers only Agencies 26.09.2025

The CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, United States, in July 2022.

Spymaster | Albania
Vlora Hyseni stakes out role for Albanian intelligence in global affairs

From Libyan migrants to Russian assaults and Iranian interference, Albania's small SHISH service is playing a role in some of the main security challenges facing Europe. Behind its rising influence is director Vlora Hyseni, the world's only intelligence chief to have headed the services of two different countries.

Subscribers only Agencies 12.09.2025

Director of Albanian Intelligence Vlora Hyseni.

Spotlight | United States
US intelligence steps up action on drug trafficking finance networks

The Trump administration's increased pressure on drug cartels is not only military. Financing networks are also being targeted, and officials have warned the allocated means are insufficient.

Subscribers only Operations 10.09.2025

US Attorney General Pam Bondi announces arrests and drug seizures from a Drug Enforcement Administration fentanyl sting operation in New Mexico, 6 May 2025.

Spotlight | United States
Tulsi Gabbard suspends release of strategic US intelligence report

The latest four-yearly Global Trends report compiled by the National Intelligence Council, highly regarded due to its wide distribution and the interest it generates, has been deemed incompatible with Donald Trump's national security priorities.

Subscribers only Agencies 09.09.2025

The US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

Spotlight | Greece, United States
Newly arrived Greek ambassador to Paris heads to Washington to cosy up to Trump

Appointed in March, Antonis Alexandridis is already set to leave Paris for the US. The Greek diplomat's challenge is to restore his country's influence within Donald Trump's administration, where its Turkish rival is well ahead.

Subscribers only Back-door diplomacy 08.09.2025

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. on 7 January 2020.

China, United States
US Senate berates intelligence for failing to tackle Chinese economic interference

US agencies are not using open sources enough despite the fact that they would enable closer monitoring of Beijing's influence strategy, according to US lawmakers.

Subscribers only Operations 02.09.2025

Arkansas Republican Senator Tom Cotton chairs the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Spotlight | United States
Tulsi Gabbard's quest to prove Obama election meddling ignores key Russian fixers

Documents released by the Director of National Intelligence, related to the 2016 Trump Russia investigation, fail to mention two intermediaries between the Kremlin and the US president's first campaign. Intelligence Online has uncovered new documents that provide further details about their connections to the Russian government.

Subscribers only Operations 26.08.2025

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard at a press conference in Washington on 23 July 2025. The meeting was organised following the publication of a declassified report related to the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign.

United States
How Ratcliffe has been key to shielding CIA from Trump's intelligence upheavals

The CIA's indispensable John Ratcliffe (2/2): The spymaster's management, both internally and towards the White House and Congress, has enabled the agency to strengthen its position within the intelligence community as it undergoes major changes.

Subscribers only Operations 20.08.2025

Spotlight | United States
Workforce of US intelligence agencies set to shrink further

Despite being spared from the federal hiring freeze, US intelligence agencies are not rushing to recruit more staff. The status quo is further reducing their capabilities, with the CIA being less affected than others.

Subscribers only Operations 15.07.2025

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe attending a meeting with the US president and his intelligence team in Washington on 21 June 2025.

United States
Challenges ahead for future White House cyber chief

A former top Republican Party official with no experience in the area is to take on the key role of US cyber policy coordinator. His appointment comes with most agencies being hit with budget cuts and upheaval, causing jitters in Washington.

Subscribers only Defence 19.06.2025

Sean Cairncross is US President Donald Trump's nominee for White House National Cyber Director (NCD).

United States
Former intel officials enter political fray to counter Trump

The Steady State, a group of intelligence veterans from the CIA and other agencies which opposes the Trump administration's national security policy, is gaining momentum. The collective now intends to use its growing membership and resources to become more visible.

Subscribers only Agencies 17.06.2025

United States
US intelligence boss picks new chief of staff from fold of close Elon Musk associates

In addition to his experience at the CIA, Tulsi Gabbard's new top aide also worked for the investment fund of multi-billionaire Antonio Gracias, who has joined Elon Musk's DOGE.

Subscribers only Agencies 30.05.2025

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard sits next to Elon Musk, senior advisor to the president, at a Cabinet meeting at the White House on 10 April 2025 in Washington, DC.

Spotlight, Deep Dive | United States
On Capitol Hill, hints of the future of US intelligence, from streamlining to the return of counterterrorism

The White House spies, part 4/4 – On the twentieth anniversary of the creation of the post of US Director of National Intelligence, Intelligence Online looks back over how this prestigious role has evolved. The series' fourth and final instalment examines the prospects for change, through the plans of lawmakers responsible for parliamentary oversight.

Subscribers only Defence 25.04.2025

Deep Dive | United States
How the Pentagon and CIA kept US intelligence director's role in check

The White House spies, part 3/4 – On the twentieth anniversary of the creation of the post of US Director of National Intelligence, Intelligence Online looks back over how this prestigious role has evolved. The series' third instalment explores the sometimes conflictual relations between the DNI and the heavyweights of the intelligence community.

Subscribers only Agencies 24.04.2025

Spotlight, Deep Dive | United States
Inside the US president's intelligence briefing

The White House spies, part 2/4 – On the twentieth anniversary of the creation of the post of US Director of National Intelligence, Intelligence Online looks back over how this prestigious role has evolved. The series' second instalment examines a moment of intimacy in the exercise of power: the presentation of the President's Daily Brief.

Subscribers only Operations 23.04.2025

Spotlight, Deep Dive | United States
Tulsi Gabbard, the US intelligence maverick

The White House spies, part 1/4 – On the twentieth anniversary of the creation of the post of US Director of National Intelligence, Intelligence Online looks back over how this prestigious role has evolved. The series' first instalment focuses on President Donald Trump's unusual pick for this key position.

Free access Agencies 22.04.2025

Spotlight | United States
Gabbard's very political staff at ODNI

The US national intelligence director has begun staffing her office with people who share her worldview and willingness to follow the White House rhetoric. This is despite the fact that, more than two months after taking up its duties, the ODNI is still in its transitional phase.

Subscribers only Agencies 10.04.2025

Tulsi Gabbard, at the annual hearings held in Congress at the end of March.

Spotlight | United States
CIA reshuffle also shakes up communication practices

Under John Ratcliffe, the US foreign intelligence agency has taken to communicating much more directly in line with the White House, breaking with the US intelligence community's traditional tight-lipped approach.

Subscribers only Agencies 05.03.2025

CIA director John Ratcliffe during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, on 26 February 2025.

Donald Trump

Volodymyr Zelensky

Mohammed bin Salman al-Saud

Hezbollah

CIA

Spotlight | United States From the CIA to the White House, the striking rise of John Ratcliffe

This article may be accessed by subscribers

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

Create your free account

create a free account

Related topics to this article

Spotlight | United States Congress to question Trump's intelligence chiefs next week

United States Departure of Tulsi Gabbard ally deals further blow to strategic analysis at ODNI

Spotlight | France, United States Former CIA chief Burns in low-key Paris visit

United States Conservative think tanks mirror rifts in US security apparatus after Caracas op

Spotlight | Venezuela Beijing and Moscow conspicuously absent from Caracas intel support before US attack

United States ODNI bans Swiss cybersecurity firm Acronis from working with US intelligence

United States Fight against Chinese and Russian influence makes Washington comeback

United States Tulsi Gabbard without military adviser as Caribbean tensions rise

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette High storms at Highgate, Mintz shrinks in Asia, CIA bigwig launches consultancy

LondonHighgate in turmoil

Singapore/Malaysia Mintz Asia suffers slew of senior departures

WashingtonCIA veteran launches his own consultancy

Spotlight | United States, Venezuela Venezuela crisis deepens rift between US spy chief Gabbard and CIA head Ratcliffe

United States Washington's OSINT reform under threat from agencies

United States Tulsi Gabbard tightens grip on strategic analysis

Spotlight | United States Tulsi Gabbard to rely more heavily on Project 2025 playbook

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette Éric Léandri splits with comms partner, ex-CIA launches into 'Quantum consulting', former CIA worked for Iskandar Safa

Abu Dhabi Éric Léandri splits with comms partner after financial spat

WashingtonSenior CIA official launches into ‘quantum consulting'

WashingtonFormer CIA official reveals work for Iskandar Safa

United States New US counterintelligence chief faces uncertain future

United States Director of CIA's OSINT centre set to depart

Spymaster | Albania Vlora Hyseni stakes out role for Albanian intelligence in global affairs

Spotlight | United States US intelligence steps up action on drug trafficking finance networks

Spotlight | United States Tulsi Gabbard suspends release of strategic US intelligence report

Spotlight | Greece, United States Newly arrived Greek ambassador to Paris heads to Washington to cosy up to Trump

China, United States US Senate berates intelligence for failing to tackle Chinese economic interference

Spotlight | United States Tulsi Gabbard's quest to prove Obama election meddling ignores key Russian fixers

United States How Ratcliffe has been key to shielding CIA from Trump's intelligence upheavals

Spotlight | United States Workforce of US intelligence agencies set to shrink further

United States Challenges ahead for future White House cyber chief

United States Former intel officials enter political fray to counter Trump

United States US intelligence boss picks new chief of staff from fold of close Elon Musk associates

Spotlight, Deep Dive | United States On Capitol Hill, hints of the future of US intelligence, from streamlining to the return of counterterrorism

Deep Dive | United States How the Pentagon and CIA kept US intelligence director's role in check

Spotlight, Deep Dive | United States Inside the US president's intelligence briefing

Spotlight, Deep Dive | United States Tulsi Gabbard, the US intelligence maverick

Spotlight | United States Gabbard's very political staff at ODNI

Spotlight | United States CIA reshuffle also shakes up communication practices

Related topics to this article

About Intelligence Online

Subscription

Intelligence Online on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Spotlight | United States
From the CIA to the White House, the striking rise of John Ratcliffe

Spotlight | United States
Congress to question Trump's intelligence chiefs next week

United States
Departure of Tulsi Gabbard ally deals further blow to strategic analysis at ODNI

Spotlight | France, United States
Former CIA chief Burns in low-key Paris visit

United States
Conservative think tanks mirror rifts in US security apparatus after Caracas op

Spotlight | Venezuela
Beijing and Moscow conspicuously absent from Caracas intel support before US attack

United States
ODNI bans Swiss cybersecurity firm Acronis from working with US intelligence

United States
Fight against Chinese and Russian influence makes Washington comeback

United States
Tulsi Gabbard without military adviser as Caribbean tensions rise

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette
High storms at Highgate, Mintz shrinks in Asia, CIA bigwig launches consultancy

Spotlight | United States, Venezuela
Venezuela crisis deepens rift between US spy chief Gabbard and CIA head Ratcliffe

United States
Washington's OSINT reform under threat from agencies

United States
Tulsi Gabbard tightens grip on strategic analysis

Spotlight | United States
Tulsi Gabbard to rely more heavily on Project 2025 playbook

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette
Éric Léandri splits with comms partner, ex-CIA launches into 'Quantum consulting', former CIA worked for Iskandar Safa

United States
New US counterintelligence chief faces uncertain future

United States
Director of CIA's OSINT centre set to depart

Spymaster | Albania
Vlora Hyseni stakes out role for Albanian intelligence in global affairs

Spotlight | United States
US intelligence steps up action on drug trafficking finance networks

Spotlight | United States
Tulsi Gabbard suspends release of strategic US intelligence report

Spotlight | Greece, United States
Newly arrived Greek ambassador to Paris heads to Washington to cosy up to Trump

China, United States
US Senate berates intelligence for failing to tackle Chinese economic interference

Spotlight | United States
Tulsi Gabbard's quest to prove Obama election meddling ignores key Russian fixers

United States
How Ratcliffe has been key to shielding CIA from Trump's intelligence upheavals

Spotlight | United States
Workforce of US intelligence agencies set to shrink further

United States
Challenges ahead for future White House cyber chief

United States
Former intel officials enter political fray to counter Trump

United States
US intelligence boss picks new chief of staff from fold of close Elon Musk associates

Spotlight, Deep Dive | United States
On Capitol Hill, hints of the future of US intelligence, from streamlining to the return of counterterrorism

Deep Dive | United States
How the Pentagon and CIA kept US intelligence director's role in check

Spotlight, Deep Dive | United States
Inside the US president's intelligence briefing

Spotlight, Deep Dive | United States
Tulsi Gabbard, the US intelligence maverick

Spotlight | United States
Gabbard's very political staff at ODNI

Spotlight | United States
CIA reshuffle also shakes up communication practices