FILE-The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) seal is displayed in the lobby of CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) WASHINGTON - In a recent closed-door meeting with leaders of the agency’s counterterrorism center, the CIA’s No.
2 official made clear that fighting al-Qaida and other extremist groups would remain a priority — but that the agency’s money and resources would be increasingly shifted to focusing on China.One year after ending the war in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden and top national security officials speak less about counterterrorism and more about the political, economic and military threats posed by China as well as Russia.
There’s been a quiet pivot within intelligence agencies, which are moving hundreds of officers to China-focused positions, including some who were previously working on terrorism.RELATED: US drone strike kills al-Qaida leader Ayman al-ZawahriIntelligence officials stress that the counterterrorism fight is hardly being ignored.
Just a week ago it revealed a CIA drone attack killed al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri in Kabul. But days later, China staged large-scale military exercises and threatened to cut off contacts with the U.S.