The chiefs of the CIA and the British Secret Intelligence Service have appeared together publicly for the first time in the history of their agencies.
The chiefs of the CIA and the British Secret Intelligence Service, appearing together publicly for the first time in the history of their agencies, said in London on Saturday that Ukraine’s surprise offensive in the Kursk region had exposed vulnerabilities in Russia’s military and was an “audacious” effort to “try and change the game” in the war.
Neither Burns nor Moore suggested the Kursk offensive would change the course of the war. Russian troops have continued what Moore described as their “pyrrhic” march through Ukrainian territory. Both warned of dangerous new developments such as Iran’s transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia, which Burns said would represent a “major escalation”, although he did not confirm published reports that such a transfer of short-range missiles had already occurred.
Both men have moved between the worlds of diplomacy and intelligence. Burns, 68, is a career diplomat who came to the CIA after serving as deputy secretary of state and ambassador to Russia. Moore, 61, came up as an intelligence officer before being appointed ambassador to Turkey.Burns has also been heavily involved in trying to negotiate a deal to release Israeli and other hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Britain, under its new Labour government, has parted company with the US on the Israel-Hamas war. It announced last week that it would suspend exports of some weapons to Israel, citing a legal review that concluded the weapons could be used in a way that would breach humanitarian law.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Deeply disturbing’: Paterson hits out at govt after spy chief’s Hamas supporters remarksThe Coalition has demanded the Albanese government raise the threshold for the granting of visas for Palestinian refugees from Gaza in a bid to prevent Hamas sympathisers entering Australia, following remarks from the country's top spy chief.
Read more »
‘Not a problem’: Spy boss says Hamas sympathy not a visa dealbreakerASIO boss Mike Burgess said there was a difference between Palestinians who provided financial support to Hamas and those who expressed rhetorical support.
Read more »
‘Not a problem’: Spy boss says Hamas sympathy not a visa dealbreakerASIO boss Mike Burgess said there was a difference between Palestinians who provided financial support to Hamas and those who expressed rhetorical support.
Read more »
‘Not a problem’: Spy boss says Hamas sympathy not a visa dealbreakerASIO boss Mike Burgess said there was a difference between Palestinians who provided financial support to Hamas and those who expressed rhetorical support.
Read more »
Celebrity 'Russian spy' whale named after Vladimir Putin found deadThe 1225kg beluga was lifted out of the water with a crane and taken to a nearby harbour where experts will examine it.
Read more »
Spy chief spells out dealbreakers for Gaza refugeesASIO director-general Mike Burgess says ‘people have chosen to distort’ comments he gave on Gaza refugees last month.
Read more »