Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Christopher Miller told CIA Director Gina Haspel that the Pentagon plans to cut most of its military support for the agency’s counterterrorism operations, the Daily Mail (UK) reports.
The Defense Department claims the move comes as it examines how military support allocated to the CIA in the Middle East could be redirected to missions related to Russia or the Chinese (Communist) states.
The CIA’s covert counterterrorism missions generally rely on the military for logistical support and personnel.
Both CIA and Defense Department spokesmen claim that their partnership remains strong despite the decision.
The Pentagon reportedly plans to cut most of its military support to the CIA’s counterterrorism operations by Jan. 5.
Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller revealed the decision in a letter to CIA Director Gina Haspel, according to ABC News.
According to Defense One, the Pentagon decided to withdraw support as it reviews whether military personnel assigned to CIA counterterrorism operations during the Middle East conflict can be transferred to Russian and Chinese (communist) missions.
A Defense Department spokesman told ABC that the removal of personnel support is consistent with a defense strategy – launched by then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in 2018 – that is pushing the focus to Russia and Chinese (Communist) rivals rather than on the war in the Middle East, as it has been for the past 20 years.
A CIA spokesman insisted that the partnership between the spy agency and the Defense Department remains strong despite the planned withdrawal.
”There is no stronger relationship or better partnership than that between the CIA and the Defense Department,” Nicole Dehay said.
Recent Comments