News for 'CIA Director'

'US was aware Israel would attack Iran'

'US was aware Israel would attack Iran'

Rediff.com21 Apr 2026

Former Central Command chief David H Petraeus suggests the US and Iran are likely to extend their ceasefire beyond the initial two-week period, citing willingness from both sides to continue negotiations.

CIA director resigns

CIA director resigns

Rediff.com3 Jun 2004

The CIA has come in for criticism for giving false information to strengthen the US case for invading Iraq.

Punjab Police Arrest Key Suspect In Railway Track Blast Case

Punjab Police Arrest Key Suspect In Railway Track Blast Case

Rediff.com2 May 2026

Punjab Police have arrested another individual in connection with the freight corridor railway track blast in Shambhu, Patiala. The arrested person, Gurjinder Singh, is a key associate of a suspect who died while attempting to detonate explosives at the track.

CIA director held secret meeting with Taliban leader in Kabul: Report

CIA director held secret meeting with Taliban leader in Kabul: Report

Rediff.com24 Aug 2021

CIA Director William J. Burns held a secret meeting in Kabul on Monday with Baradar in the highest-level face-to-face encounter between the Taliban and the Biden administration since the militants seized the Afghan capital, the Washington Post reported, citing unnamed US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity,

Key suspect nabbed in Punjab freight corridor railway track blast case

Key suspect nabbed in Punjab freight corridor railway track blast case

Rediff.com2 May 2026

Punjab Police have arrested another individual, Gurjinder Singh, in connection with the freight corridor railway track blast in Shambhu, Patiala. He is a key associate of a man who died while attempting to detonate explosives on the track. The arrest has revealed links between multiple terror acts and a pro-Khalistan terror module backed by Pakistan's ISI.

Why Dushyant Chautala Wants Police Investigated

Why Dushyant Chautala Wants Police Investigated

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

Jannayak Janta Party leader Dushyant Chautala has demanded an FIR against a police team, accusing them of blocking his car. He also criticised a senior police officer and sought a fair probe into the matter.

Iran War: Trump Is Notoriously Prone To Mood Swings

Iran War: Trump Is Notoriously Prone To Mood Swings

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

Chaffing under public ridicule in the US as well as internationally for having 'lost' the war, Trump is under immense pressure to do something, cautions Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

CIA says Iran's nuclear program 'severely damaged'

CIA says Iran's nuclear program 'severely damaged'

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

The CIA's confirmation comes amid reports claiming that the US strikes did not destroy nuclear sites in Iran as claimed by President Donald Trump or his administration.

Zardari met CIA director secretly: Report

Zardari met CIA director secretly: Report

Rediff.com30 Sep 2008

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari secretly met the director of America's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Michael Hayden on his recent US visit, a media report said on Monday.

Don't Expect Too Much From Islamabad Summit

Don't Expect Too Much From Islamabad Summit

Rediff.com10 Apr 2026

The core issues to be settled -- access to Hormuz, Israel's aggression in Lebanon, the question of Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions relief and compensation -- are thorny enough to require weeks of patient negotiation. The most likely outcome of the opening sessions is that both sides take the measure of each other, establish what is and is not negotiable, and return home without having broken anything. That would count as progress.

The US Rescue That Raises More Questions Than It Answers

The US Rescue That Raises More Questions Than It Answers

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

The 'rescue' operation occurred within kilometres of Iran's underground tunnel complex at Isfahan, assessed by the IAEA and US intelligence as holding a substantial portion of the country's 60 per cent enriched uranium stockpile. Retired senior US military officers have highlighted that the mission's footprint -- hundreds of special operators, multiple heavy-lift aircraft deep inside Iran -- appears outsized for recovering a single airman. Prem Panicker continues his must read blog on the Iran War.

Rubio makes U-turn on Trump's 'run Venezuela' remark

Rubio makes U-turn on Trump's 'run Venezuela' remark

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

He added that current measures, including an oil quarantine and large naval deployments, are aimed at pressuring the Venezuelan regime.

I'm going to kill that son of a....: Musharraf on AQ Khan's nuke leak

I'm going to kill that son of a....: Musharraf on AQ Khan's nuke leak

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

CIA director George Tenet personally briefed Musharraf that AQ Khan "was betraying Pakistan's nuclear secrets to at least the Libyans and maybe others," prompting an explosive reaction before Khan was placed under years-long house arrest.

Why Did Israel Kill Ali Larijani?

Why Did Israel Kill Ali Larijani?

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

Israel has for more than two decades and several US presidencies worked to draw the United States into a full-scale war with Iran. Having finally achieved that, the last thing it wants is Trump declaring victory and going home, as he is prone to do. Ali Larijani was the figure most capable of handing Trump a negotiated exit with something to show for it. Without Larijani, the road to an exit gets considerably narrower. Prem Panicker continues his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

Was Homi Bhabha Murdered? The Mystery Behind His Death

Was Homi Bhabha Murdered? The Mystery Behind His Death

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

60 years ago, on January 24, 1966, Dr Homi J Bhabha, the father of India's nuclear programme, died in an air crash on Mont Blanc. The official inquiry said the plane went off course in bad weather, but coincidences, missing evidence, and later unproven claims have kept conspiracy theories alive. A fascinating excerpt from Bakhtiar Dadabhoy's book, Homi J Bhabha: A Life.

Porter Goss quits as CIA director

Porter Goss quits as CIA director

Rediff.com6 May 2006

Porter Goss has stepped down as director of the Central Intelligence Agency plunging into uncertainty the world's biggest spy agency shaken by recent intelligence failures and internal turmoil.

Iran says forces ready for war; accuses US, Israel of stoking unrest

Iran says forces ready for war; accuses US, Israel of stoking unrest

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Baghaei also alleged that recent unrest in Iran was fuelled by foreign interference, claiming riots were triggered by "very evident" interventionist remarks by US and Israeli officials.

Not drugs or democracy, but...: Kamala, Mamdani slam Trump over Venezuela

Not drugs or democracy, but...: Kamala, Mamdani slam Trump over Venezuela

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has voiced his opposition to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro by the US military, calling it an 'act of war' and a violation of international law. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi also criticized the action, citing lack of congressional authorization.

Gina Haspel set to become first female director of CIA

Gina Haspel set to become first female director of CIA

Rediff.com18 May 2018

The 61-year-old will be the first woman to lead the agency in its 70-year history.

Trump's Huge Venezuela Gamble

Trump's Huge Venezuela Gamble

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

I am inclined to believe that the Venezuela adventure is not an indication of American strength, alas, but rather of American weakness, points out Rajeev Srinivasan.

US senate confirms Brennan as CIA director

US senate confirms Brennan as CIA director

Rediff.com8 Mar 2013

The US senate has confirmed John Brennan as the next director of Central Intelligence Agency.

John Brennan sworn in as CIA director

John Brennan sworn in as CIA director

Rediff.com8 Mar 2013

John Brennan was sworn in on Friday as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, joining US President Barack Obama's new national security team.

Revealed! What Led To The 1962 War?

Revealed! What Led To The 1962 War?

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

As India and China continue to face off across the Himalayas six decades later, the echoes of that earlier conflict remain unmistakable. The core of China's sensitivity lies not in maps or mountain passes, but in its perception of sovereignty over Tibet, points out Dr Kumar.

'Venezuela's Current Leaders Gave Maduro As A Trophy To Trump'

'Venezuela's Current Leaders Gave Maduro As A Trophy To Trump'

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

'Trump had done a deal with the current regime minus Maduro. The current regime is giving Trump entry into Venezuelan oil. They are obeying him and doing whatever he says.' 'They are happy because they have saved their heads by sacrificing only two, Maduro and his wife. Thousands of Venezuelan military leaders would have been jailed or killed in American action had Maduro stayed in power.'

Nandan Mulchandani, CIA's CTO

Nandan Mulchandani, CIA's CTO

Rediff.com2 May 2022

Delhi born and schooled Nand Mulchandani, who has more than 25 years of experience in Silicon Valley and at the Pentagon, has been appointed as the Central Intelligence Agency first-ever Chief Technology Officer.

'Osama bin Laden escaped disguised as a woman'

'Osama bin Laden escaped disguised as a woman'

Rediff.com25 Oct 2025

In a key revelation, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer John Kiriakou has said that Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden, who was the most wanted terrorist for the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, had escaped from the Tora Bora hills in Afghanistan in the guise of a woman.

Putin will face severe economic consequences if...: Trump warns again

Putin will face severe economic consequences if...: Trump warns again

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

Trump stated that Russia will face "severe economic consequences" if Putin doesn't show interest in de-escalating the Ukraine conflict.

Will 'permanently pause' migration from all 3rd world countries: Trump

Will 'permanently pause' migration from all 3rd world countries: Trump

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

The Trump administration said it will conduct a "rigorous" re-examination of all Green Cards issued to immigrants from "every country of concern".

Trump says Ukraine-Russia land swaps may be discussed, Kyiv to decide

Trump says Ukraine-Russia land swaps may be discussed, Kyiv to decide

Rediff.com16 Aug 2025

Trump reiterated that he is not negotiating on behalf of Ukraine, but rather aiming to bring the parties to the negotiating table.

CIA director visits India, meets chiefs of RAW, IB

CIA director visits India, meets chiefs of RAW, IB

Rediff.com2 Oct 2010

Central Intelligence Agency chief Leon Panetta has held a series of meetings with senior government officials in New Delhi. Official sources said Panetta, who also met with Intelligence Bureau chief Rajiv Mathur and Research and Analysis Wing chief A K Verma, discussed various areas of cooperation. This is the first high-profile visit by any American official after a team of the Indian National Investigation Agency had questioned terrorist David Coleman Headley in May.

Journalist mistakenly added to Trump's Yemen war plans group

Journalist mistakenly added to Trump's Yemen war plans group

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

Security experts have warned that using Signal for discussions of this nature violates every established protocol for handling classified information.

CIA seeks nod to expand drone fleet

CIA seeks nod to expand drone fleet

Rediff.com19 Oct 2012

The Central Intelligence Agency has urged the White House to approve a significant expansion of the agency's fleet of armed drones, in a bid to extend the spy organisation's decade-long transformation into a paramilitary force, American officials have said. The proposal by CIA Director David H Petraeus, if approved, could add as many as 10 drones for the CIA to an inventory that has ranged between 30 and 35 over the past few years, officials say.

CIA apologises for spying on US senators

CIA apologises for spying on US senators

Rediff.com1 Aug 2014

The chief of the Central Intelligence Agency on Friday apologised for the United States' spy agency's surveillance of computers used by lawmakers and their staffers involved in investigating the organisation's harsh interrogation techniques.

Major gains against Al Qaeda: CIA

Major gains against Al Qaeda: CIA

Rediff.com31 May 2008

Less than a year after the Central Intelligence Agengy warned of renewed threats from a resurgent Al Qaeda, its director Michael Hayden portrayed the terrorist movement as largely defeated in Saudi Arabia and Iraq and on the backfoot throughout the world, including in its stronghold along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

CIA warns of Istanbul-type attack in US

CIA warns of Istanbul-type attack in US

Rediff.com30 Jun 2016

Brennan said global instability is one of the defining issues of the time, and its implications are hard to overstate.

Panetta poised to be next CIA chief

Panetta poised to be next CIA chief

Rediff.com12 Feb 2009

Leon Panetta, who has no direct intelligence gathering or analysis experience, is set to become chief of the Central Intelligence Agency, with a powerful US Senate Committee voting unanimously on his nomination by President Barack Obama.

CIA chief to be next US defence secretary: Report

CIA chief to be next US defence secretary: Report

Rediff.com27 Apr 2011

Central Intelligence Agency Director Leon Panetta will become the new United States defence secretary, replacing Robert Gates, in a major shake-up of President Barack Obama's security team, according to a media report.The top US military commander in Afghanistan General David Petraeus is set to take over as the new CIA Director. The television network said Petraeus will be replaced as the US commander in Afghanistan by Lieutenant General John Allen.

How Al-Qaeda chief's habit give CIA chance to kill him

How Al-Qaeda chief's habit give CIA chance to kill him

Rediff.com3 Aug 2022

Zawahri's long balcony visits gave the CIA an opportunity for a clear missile shot that could avoid collateral damage.

Pakistan Helped US Nab This Terrorist

Pakistan Helped US Nab This Terrorist

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

Sharifullah, also known as Jafar, is an ISIS-K member and was directly responsible for the killing of 13 US soldiers and roughly 170 Afghans at the Hamid Karzai international airport's 'Abbey Gate' on August 26, 2021.

India, Brazil on Qaeda's terror radar, warns CIA

India, Brazil on Qaeda's terror radar, warns CIA

Rediff.com9 Mar 2010

American intelligence agency Central Intelligence Agency on Tuesday warned India and Brazil that they face 'emerging threats' from the Al Qaeda and Taliban, though the terrorist outfits are 'on the run' due to extreme pressure exerted on them in Afghanistan and Pakistan.