CIA Director Ratcliffe’s Surprise Moscow Trip Raises Questions Over Russia-Ukraine and Iran

CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced visit to Moscow on August 25 US officials confirmed it. A rare trip that comes as Washington’s efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine have stalled and tensions over Moscow’s relationship with Iran have intensified. CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a rare, unannounced one-day trip to Moscow on August 25 amid stalled U.S. efforts to end Russia’s war on Ukraine and rising tension over Moscow’s ties with Iran; the ‘real’ substance of his meetings was not disclosed. Analysts say such visits usually involve high-stakes asks—possible topics include pressing Putin to negotiate an end…