CIA Changes Assessment on COVID-19 Origins, Now Favors Lab Leak Theory
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has updated its assessment on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, now leaning towards the lab leak theory. The review was ordered by former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and was conducted under the direction of new CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
The CIA assesses with “low confidence” that a research-related origin of the COVID-19 pandemic is more likely than a natural origin, citing the available body of reporting. However, the agency notes that both scenarios remain plausible and that they will continue to evaluate any available credible new intelligence reporting or open-source information that could change their assessment.
Ratcliffe, a long-time proponent of the lab leak theory, framed the assessment as part of a broader strategy “addressing the threat from China.” He has also called for the CIA to “get off the sidelines” and take a stand on the issue.
The CIA’s previous stance on the origins of COVID-19 had been that it did not have enough intelligence to conclude whether the virus originated in a lab or a wet market in Wuhan, China. Despite the new assessment, there was no indication of new evidence.
The WHO has renewed calls for China to share data on the origins of COVID-19, with five years having passed since the start of the pandemic. The debate over the origins of COVID-19 continues, with many experts and governments supporting the lab leak theory and others arguing that the virus emerged naturally.