Putin Believes the War with Iran Has Weakened Washington — WP
On August 28, it was reported that U.S. intelligence views a war with Iran as a factor that would weaken Washington’s position. Against this backdrop, CIA Director John Retcliffe warned Moscow of the danger of further escalation of the war in Ukraine, according to The Washington Post.
According to the publication, Ratcliffe’s trip to Moscow was preceded by new intelligence regarding how the Russian leadership assesses the U.S.’s strategic position.
According to this information, the Kremlin believes that the war with Iran has weakened Washington’s capabilities. Russia is expected to view this as an opportunity to increase pressure on American interests and U.S. allies in Europe.
However, the newspaper’s sources did not disclose how this information was obtained or to what extent U.S. analysts are confident in its accuracy.
Details of the CIA director’s talks with Russian leadership remain classified. However, one source told the WP that Ratcliffe warned Moscow: a further significant escalation of the war against Ukraine could have negative consequences for Russia itself.
According to the newspaper’s source, the purpose of the visit was not limited to assessing the situation of Russian troops, who had failed to achieve a breakthrough on the front lines.
The trip was also linked to the fact that Moscow likely perceives the U.S. as exhausted by a protracted military campaign and incapable of actively intervening.
Retcliffe also made it clear to Russian officials that a large-scale escalation against Ukraine could change Donald Trump’s position and push the U.S. president toward more active support for Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The intelligence assessment came after reports of a decline in the combat readiness of U.S. troops and a shortage of ammunition due to the prolonged campaign against Iran.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hagseth and other administration officials denied the existence of a serious shortage, but at the same time urged arms manufacturers to speed up production.
Source: The Washington Post
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