The directors of the CIA, Bill Burns, and of the British MI6, Richard Moore, displayed on Saturday September 7 the importance of their cooperation in the face of “unprecedented” threats, notably mentioning Russia, China and Islamism, in a joint column published in the Financial Times.
Stressing that they have “no other more trustworthy ally”, the two intelligence chiefs affirm that they must now act “in a contested international system where our two countries are confronted with an unprecedented battery of threats”.
The two leaders notably assure that China is the “main geopolitical and intelligence challenge of the 21st century.”
On the war in Ukraine, Bill Burns and Richard Moore say that “it is more important than ever to stay the course” to thwart Russia and stress that they “will continue to help” kyiv.
The United States and the United Kingdom are among the first financial and military supporters of Ukraine in its resistance to the Russian invasion launched in February 2022.
The CIA and the Secret Intelligence Service (or MI6) are also showing their determination to fight against the “campaign of sabotage” and the attempts at destabilization through disinformation, led in Europe by Moscow.
They cite the fight against Islamist terrorism as one of their top priorities.
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Faced with all these threats, “maintaining a technological advantage is vital,” they warn, citing the development of artificial intelligence.
The publication of this article comes a few days before the visit of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Washington on September 13, where he will be received by American President Joe Biden.
They will discuss, among other things, “strong support for Ukraine” and the desire to reach a truce in Gaza, the White House said Friday.
The meeting comes at a time when the positions of the United States and the United Kingdom are diverging towards Israel, with the British announcement of the suspension of around thirty arms export licenses to Israel, citing a “risk” that they will be used in violation of international law in Gaza.
- BFMTV.com
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