That statement also stated definitively that the virus “was not man-made or genetically modified”.
“It is absolutely correct, the information community does not know exactly where, when or how the initial Covid-19 virus was transmitted and, in principle, the components came together around two alternative theories, these scenarios arose naturally from contact human with the infected animals or it was a lab accident, “Haines told members of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
CIA Director William Burns, who appeared with other news agency leaders on Wednesday, said he agreed with Haines’ remarks and added that it was clear to analysts that “the Chinese leadership was not fully future or fully transparent.” in terms of working with the {World Health Organization ”} which provided the kind of original complete data that would help answer these questions. “
“We are doing everything we can, using all the sources available to all of us in this panel to try to get to the bottom of it,” he added.
The director of the National Security Agency and the head of the US cyber command, General Paul Nakasone, mentioned that the American cyber agencies contribute to this effort and continue to gather and analyze information about the origins of the virus.
A source familiar with the intelligence services told CNN late last month that the intelligence community is not currently inclined in one way or another to the two theories.
“We will probably never know the truth, because the Chinese don’t know the truth either, and it will be difficult for the US secret services to figure out if the Chinese never know,” the source said. “The Chinese have NO interest in finding out the truth, so it’s hard to spy on them and find out the truth.”
The source also told CNN that there is growing evidence to suggest that the wet market was not the initial source of the outbreak.
Another official from a country that is part of the Five Eyes coalition for sharing information agreed: the laboratory theory was not completely ignored due to the lack of data and access from the Chinese.
China is “an unparalleled priority” for the intelligence community
In his opening remarks at Wednesday’s meeting, Haines told lawmakers that China is “an unparalleled priority for the intelligence community” and is pressing to review global rules in ways that favor Beijing using a variety of tactics.
She specifically warned that China has “substantial” cyber capabilities that “if implemented, can at least cause temporary localized disruptions to critical infrastructure within the United States.”
During his brief opening remarks, Haines also warned that global disruptions, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and technological change, will lead to more international competition and instability around the globe. This reality “forces” the intelligence community to broaden its definition of national security, she said.
“At no time was it more important to invest in our rules and institutions, our workforce and the integration of our work,” Haines said.
Withdrawal from Afghanistan will “diminish” the CIA’s ability to gather information
If the United States withdraws from Afghanistan – “whenever that time comes,” the CIA’s ability to gather information and act on potential threats there will “diminish,” the agency’s director, Bill Burns, told the Committee. Senate Information.
Neither Al Qaeda nor ISIS currently have the ability to strike the U.S. homeland, Burns said, but “it is clear that our ability to keep that threat in Afghanistan under control from either Al Qaeda or ISIS in Afghanistan has benefited greatly from the presence of the US and coalition troops on the ground and in the air, fueled by information provided by the CIA and our other intelligence partners. “
CIA operations in Afghanistan have long depended on the traditional military presence there, and questions have been raised about what kind of information and counterterrorism capabilities the United States might be able to hold in Afghanistan after 9/11, as Biden swore. do.
When the US withdraws, Burns said the United States will “keep a suite of [intelligence] “Some of them pre-existing and others that will have to be developed to help the United States take into account and disrupt any Al Qaeda or ISIS efforts to rebuild.
“All this means that there is a significant risk once the US military and coalition military withdraw, but we will work hard with the CIA and all our partners to try to provide the kind of strategic warning to other US government that allows us to and we must address this threat if it begins to materialize, “Burns said.
Russian military buildup is a “serious concern”
Russia’s military buildup along its border with Ukraine, as well as in Crimea, is a “serious concern” and could be a precursor to Russia’s “limited military incursions,” Burns said Wednesday, echoing comments made by Russia. other top officials of the administration in recent years days.
The Russian military’s moves could be an intimidating tactic for Ukraine’s leadership, as well as a signal to the United States, Burns said.
“This accumulation has reached the point where, you know, it could also provide the basis for limited military incursions,” Burns told the committee.
It was part of Biden’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, Burns said, in which Biden proposed a summit with Putin in the coming months.
Burns, a veteran diplomat who was ambassador to Moscow, joked that “most of my white hair comes from serving in Russia and Putin’s relationship with Russia over the years.”