On Thursday, the US Senate confirmed John Ratcliffe, former Director of National Intelligence (DNI), as the new head of the CIA with a vote of 74-25. Ratcliffe's confirmation reflects strong Senate support for President Donald Trump's choice to lead the agency during his second term.

Ratcliffe, who previously served as DNI from 2020 to 2021, is the first person to have held both the top intelligence positions in the US government.

A former US Representative for Texas's 4th district and an attorney with decades of public service experience, Ratcliffe is known for his alignment with Trump and his focus on global issues.

Focus on China and modernization

During his confirmation hearing, Ratcliffe said that countering "threats" posed by China would be a central priority for the CIA under his leadership. He previously suggested modernizing the agency's technological capabilities, including leveraging artificial intelligence, to strengthen US intelligence operations.

Ratcliffe characterized Beijing's actions as a significant threat to US national security, signaling a more aggressive approach to countering China's influence.

Despite his focus on China, Ratcliffe also expressed a willingness to collaborate with both Russia and China on issues of mutual concern. Areas like counterterrorism, he noted, present opportunities for cooperation to address shared threats even amidst broader strategic competition.

Read more: China criticizes Trump's exit from WHO, Paris climate accord

Hawkish stance on Iran and support for 'Israel'

In addition to his focus on China, Ratcliffe has been a vocal critic of Iran, consistently advocating for a more aggressive stance on Tehran's nuclear program and regional activities. He has attributed escalations in the region, including actions by Resistance groups, to policies that he believes embolden Iran.

Ratcliffe has also stressed the importance of the US-"Israel" alliance, supporting coordinated efforts to weaken Iran and consolidate "Israel’s" regional presence. He has characterized Iran as one of the greatest threats to regional stability and has called for aggressive measures to deter Tehran's "ambitions".

His strong support for "Israel" has been evident in his public statements, where he affirmed the need for "moral clarity" in defending "Israel's" actions. He has also dismissed accusations that "Israel" deliberately targets civilians in Gaza as a "false narrative," arguing that such claims undermine the occupation's purported right to self-defense and distort the complex realities of the region.

New CIA director is John Ratcliffe, dir. of National Intelligence in Trump’s first term.

During campaign, Ratcliffe blasted Harris for portraying “a false narrative” that Israel was attacking innocent Palestinians in Gaza.

He’s in favor of joint U.S.-Israel action against Iran pic.twitter.com/GyAmYSW0I9

— Jacob N. Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) November 12, 2024