United States
Under Trump, CIA's Directorate of Operations to reclaim leading role

By Raphaël Ramos

Published on 28.01.2025 at 05:00 GMT Reading time 3 min

John Ratcliffe was sworn in as CIA Director on Thursday 23 January 2025, in Washington, DC. © Oliver Contreras/Sipa USA/Reuters

The spy agency's new director John Ratcliffe has pledged to focus on human intelligence and covert action, overseen by the directorate of operations, rather than analysis, which is seen as a legacy of the Obama and Biden years. A turn which could also serve Trump's political priorities.

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

United States
How Trump's Greenland ambitions are reshaping strategic analysis

Made up of the intelligence community's top analysts, the National Intelligence Council has recently added a new unit to reflect White House priorities.

Subscribers only Agencies 09.04.2026

US President Donald Trump in Washington DC, on 6 April 2026.

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

Spotlight | United States, Venezuela
CIA returns to Trump's good books after Venezuela operation

The intelligence agency's contribution to the success of the US operation in Caracas marks a return to favour of the CIA with Donald Trump, who had been dismissive of the intelligence world during his first term.

Subscribers only Agencies, Operations 06.01.2026

US President Donald Trump and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

France
DGSE tightens rules for recalling officers to Paris

The French foreign intelligence service has recently strengthened its security procedures for staff posted abroad. Over the past year, half a dozen officers have had their missions interrupted.

Subscribers only Agencies 27.11.2025

Nicolas Lerner, director of France's DGSE foreign intelligence agency, in Paris, 13 November 2025.

United States
After his failed CIA return, Ralph Goff builds private investigation network

He had been chosen by John Ratcliffe to become the CIA's next deputy director for clandestine operations, before being abruptly removed from consideration last month. Since then, Ralph Goff has formed close ties with other CIA veterans who have gone into the private sector.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 26.05.2025

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

China, United States
Intelligence report on Chinese leaders' corruption double-edged sword for Trump

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence remains committed to releasing its findings on the hidden wealth of Chinese leaders. But with the US president planning to meet Xi Jinping shortly, the report's publication poses a dilemma for the White House and will test its relationship with the spy agencies.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 24.03.2025

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and American President Donald Trump stand together before signing the Phase 1 trade deal between the United States and China, during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House on 15 January 2020.

Spotlight | Europe, United States
CIA sends placatory mission to Europe

As Europe strives to adapt to Donald Trump's about-turns, the US foreign intelligence agency has sent some of its officers on a tour of European capitals to strengthen ties with their counterparts while their chiefs hold parallel meetings.

Subscribers only Agencies 19.03.2025

CIA Director John Ratcliffe (L) and US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on 4 March 2025.

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.

Spotlight | United States
Inside the body that'll help Trump shape his intelligence policy

For his President's Intelligence Advisory Board, Donald Trump has chosen a raft of individuals more notable for their loyalty to the new administration than for their experience in the field or in national security.

Subscribers only Agencies 26.02.2025

The Agencies' Gazette
Counterspy heads DGSI economic unit, CIA loses China expert, Spy film prefigured DGSE HQ move, China's 'wolf warriors' return

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community.

FranceCounter-espionage expert takes charge at DGSI economic security unit

United StatesCIA loses top China expert

FranceFrench 2008 spy film prefigured DGSE's future move to Fort Neuf

China‘Wolf warrior' diplomacy makes a comeback

Subscribers only 24.02.2025

United States
Former CIA officials band together in the ‘Steady State' to oppose Trump purges

Wary of the consequences of taking positions in the media, former US intelligence officials have adopted a more low-key strategy. Not just to carry more weight, but also to protect themselves from reprisals.

Subscribers only Agencies 17.02.2025

US President Donald Trump holds up an executive order after signing it during an inauguration parade on 20 January 2025 in Washington, DC.

United States
Adding cartels to terrorist list set to shake up US intelligence

The National Counterterrorism Center and the CIA will both benefit from Donald Trump's broadening of the definition of terrorism to include Mexican drug cartels.

Subscribers only Defence 11.02.2025

Joe Kent was appointed head of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) on 3 February.

Spotlight | United States
Four years at Langley, part 2: William Burns and the CIA's adaptation to strategic competition

In the space of four years, former diplomat William Burns has put his stamp on the organisation of the CIA to support presidential priorities in an international environment transformed by technology. At the same time, he has sought to preserve Langley's influence in Washington.

Subscribers only Operations 07.01.2025

Spotlight | United States
With Ratcliffe at CIA helm, Heritage Foundation takes up residence in intelligence community

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank which has drawn up a programme of radical reforms tailored for Donald Trump, has found an influential ally in future CIA director John Ratcliffe, who is likely to open the doors to the US intelligence community.

Free access Agencies 18.11.2024

John Ratcliffe, future director of the CIA.

United States
Homeland Security deprived of intelligence advisers amid partisan wrangling

In a US presidential election campaign characterised by an increased risk of violence, the plan for a group of experts to support the department's intelligence agency has hit a dead end.

Subscribers only Operations 26.09.2024

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had planned to form a new group of experts to support its Director of Intelligence, Kenneth Wainstein.

United States
Dustin Carmack, the Meta boss who wrote Project 2025's radical intelligence reform plan

The new, controversial, right-wing political initiative to extend the authority of the US president includes plans to increase centralisation of intelligence powers in the hands of the Director of National Intelligence. This will be to the detriment of the CIA, deemed to be insufficiently loyal.

Subscribers only Operations 19.09.2024

Dustin Carmack, the man behind The Heritage Foundation's plan to reform the US intelligence community.

15% OFF your subscription

Special offer: Only 2d and 14h to take advantage of it

Consult our offers

This offer is open to all new subscribers and runs until 12/06/2026

Headlines

A Greek Navy frigate docked at the port of Piraeus.

Spotlight | European Union, Greece Athens's cautious stance towards Russian shadow fleet irks Brussels and Paris France, Pakistan How Paris lost a key asset in Islamabad as it came under global limelight

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette | France, United Kingdom CMA CGM security chief stays put, FRS to study US-China risks, G3 showcases spy credentials Ukraine, United Kingdom UK and US Treasuries cooperating closely on sanctions despite differences, officials say

The British Treasury headquarters in London.

France, Italy Paris's political and security elite flock to Italian embassy Thailand King's Guard's 'Eastern Tigers' propel their man to top of Thai army

Members of the Thai military guard of honour.

Headlines

France, Italy Paris's political and security elite flock to Italian embassy Thailand King's Guard's 'Eastern Tigers' propel their man to top of Thai army

United States
Under Trump, CIA's Directorate of Operations to reclaim leading role