The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), under the leadership of former Director John Ratcliffe, has shifted its stance on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, now giving more weight to the theory that the virus originated from a laboratory leak. This assessment comes after a review initiated by Jake Sullivan, former National Security Advisor to President Joe Biden. The CIA now considers a research-related origin more likely than a natural one, but acknowledges this conclusion is made with "low confidence."
The agency's previous position was one of agnosticism, stating a lack of sufficient intelligence to definitively determine whether the pandemic began in a Wuhan laboratory or a wet market. The updated assessment doesn't cite new evidence, but reflects a reassessment of existing information. A CIA spokesperson confirmed the shift, emphasizing the low confidence level and the ongoing commitment to evaluating any new credible intelligence.
Ratcliffe, a long-time advocate of the lab leak theory, has previously framed understanding COVID-19's origins as crucial to addressing the broader threat posed by China. He has also urged the CIA to take a more definitive stance on the issue. In past commentary, Ratcliffe, along with co-author Cliff Sims, criticized the Biden administration for allegedly suppressing intelligence supporting the lab leak theory. They argued that the CIA's claim of insufficient evidence was implausible, given the agency's vast intelligence-gathering capabilities.
Furthermore, they dismissed the natural origin theory, citing a lack of supporting evidence. Ratcliffe's testimony before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic in April 2023 reinforced his conviction, stating that the lab leak theory was the only explanation supported by intelligence, science, and common sense.
