Latest news with #ex-CIA
New York Post
12-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Ex-CIA analyst who admitted leaking docs about Israel strike on Iran gets 37 months in prison
An ex-CIA analyst was sentenced to more than three years in prison Wednesday for leaking top-secret documents about Israel's plans to retaliate against Iran last year. Asif William Rahman, 34, had pleaded guilty in January to two counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information after he was arrested for absconding with records from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency last October that indicated Israel was planning to launch airstrikes in response to a massive Iranian missile attack. Rahman, who had been a CIA employee since 2016 and had access to top secret documents, leaked the stolen information on social media platforms — forcing Israel to delay its attack. Advertisement He was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison by US District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles, which is less than the government had demanded. 3 Rahman was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison. AP 'Asif Rahman violated his position of trust by illegally accessing, removing, and transmitting Top Secret documents vital to the national security of the United States and its allies,' US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Erik Siebert said in a statement. Advertisement 'The urgency with which Mr. Rahman was identified, arrested, charged, and prosecuted is a testament to the commitment and professionalism of the investigators and prosecutors who brought him to justice. 'This case should serve as a stern warning to those who choose to place their own goals over their allegiance to our nation.' Rahman was working in the US Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Oct. 17, 2024, when he sneaked the documents out in his backpack, brought them to his home, photographed them and then transmitted them to other individuals, before destroying evidence of his actions, according to the Justice Department. The top-secret documents appeared on the 'Middle East Spectator' Telegram channel the following day and 'appeared publicly on multiple social media platforms, complete with the classification ranking,' prosecutors said. Advertisement The documents laid out intelligence gathered from satellite images of an Israeli base taken on Oct. 15 and 16. The breach forced Israeli officials to postpone their attack until Oct. 26. 3 The ex-CIA employee pleaded guilty in January to leaking classified information. NurPhoto via Getty Images 3 Rahman leaked documents related to Israel's plans to launch airstrikes against Iran. WAEL HAMZEH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Advertisement Rahman 'repeatedly accessed and printed classified National Defense Information' up until his arrest in November of 2024, according to the DOJ. In the spring of 2024, when he was working in Virginia as a CIA analyst, he disclosed a batch of five secret and top-secret documents, making copies and giving them to people who weren't allowed to see them. And in the fall of 2024, he leaked another 10 classified documents. 'I fully accept responsibility for my conduct last year,' Rahman said in court Wednesday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. 'There was no excuse for my actions.' Rahman's attorneys blamed his actions on 'family-related grief' and traumatic assignment in Iraq, compounded by Israel's war against Hamas.
Metro
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Ex-CIA chief reveals where in Europe he thinks Putin will invade next
An ex-CIA chief has delivered a chilling forecast on Vladimir Putin's next invasion target if his war in Ukraine drags on. David Petraeus, a retired US Army general who served as a commander in both Iraq and Afghanistan, sounded the alarm that Russia is preparing to invade a Nato nation next. He revealed that the Kremlin could launch an incursion into the Baltics to test whether the West would back down before bearing the cost – or as a precursor to a wider offensive. Lithuania, the veteran warned, is particularly exposed to Putin's quest to resurrect the Soviet empire. Speaking at the Policy Exchange think-tank in London, Petraeus said: 'Once [Ukraine is] done, you are going to see Russians focus on one of the Baltic states. 'Lithuania has featured prominently in Putin's speeches – and we should be listening. 'We should have listened a lot more when he answered that question about what was the worst geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century… and his response was the dissolution of the Soviet Union. 'That gives you an insight into Putin's grievance-filled revisionist history.' Throughout Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Baltics have been warned about getting caught in the crosshairs. Lithuania's government is also taking the threat seriously – the government reinstated conscription in 2015, and in January, it committed to spending between 5% and 6% of its GDP on defence annually until at least 2030. Focusing on the current US administration and its impact on the war, the general insisted that Donald Trump had given Putin way too many 'second chances' and indulged behaviour that was 'absolutely crazy'. He said that such indulgence has weakened the West's moral clarity and emboldened the dictator. Russia's eventual aim, Petraeus said, was to topple Volodymyr Zelensky in order to 'install a puppet leader and to control all of Ukraine'. In his speech, the general also criticised the former Biden administration for repeatedly arming Ukraine 'too little, too late'. More Trending Whether it was F-16 supersonic fighter jets, long-range rocket systems or cluster munitions, the White House has been locked in a cycle of hesitation followed by concession. Petraeus stressed: 'It was very unhelpful for the Ukrainians to go through the process, where each time they would ask for it [weapons], but be told no or a maybe and then eventually get it – instead of the swift and decisive action which would have been so much more helpful. 'The bottom line is that we should have done so much for the Ukrainians that they could change the dynamic on the battlefield to one that showed Moscow they can not achieve additional gains… 'If we want to get Russia negotiating seriously, they have to be convinced that they cannot achieve incremental gains.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page.
Scottish Sun
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Putin will attack Lithuania next if he beats Ukraine, former CIA boss warns as Zelensky slams Vlad for ‘stalling talks'
He took aim at the US President for giving the Russian despot too many second chances VLAD ATTACK Putin will attack Lithuania next if he beats Ukraine, former CIA boss warns as Zelensky slams Vlad for 'stalling talks' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) VLADIMIR Putin will launch an assault on Lithuania next if he conquers Ukraine, an ex-CIA boss has warned. The caution comes as Zelensky slammed the Russian despot for "stalling peace talks" following his dismal attempts to get to the negotiating table. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Ukraine has accused Russia of 'stalling' peace' talks after Putin's failed attempts to get to the negotiating table Credit: Reuters 7 An ex-CIA boss has warned global leaders of a potential attack on Lithuania Credit: Getty David Petraus, a retired US general and director of the CIA, warned an attack on the Baltic state would not be an isolated event but part of a longer-term plan to test the West. Speaking at the Policy Exchange Think-Tank in London, Petraeus said Lithuania has "featured prominently" in Putin's speeches meaning he might turn on the NATO state for his next assault. After mad Vlad has installed a "puppet leader to control all of Ukraine" there's a strong chance he will turn his "focus on one of the Baltic states," he added. Taking aim at Trump, he said the US had dithered too much on "individual decisions" and was giving the Russian president too many second chances - causing immeasurable losses for Ukraine. He said: "What we've seen is three incidences where the US President has threatened that in two weeks we'll have to take a different approach. "We'll see this time what actually happens. The US also temporised far too long over individual decisions such as M1 [Abrams] tanks. "A blind man on a dark night could see it had to be the F-16 (a multi- role fighter aircraft)." Ukraine responded yesterday saying: "The Russians' fear of sending their 'memorandum' to Ukraine suggests that it is likely filled with unrealistic ultimatums, and they are afraid of revealing that they are stalling the peace process." His comments come after Trump issued Vlad with a two-week deadline for a ceasefire following Russia's deadly attack on Ukraine earlier this week. Trump said in the Oval Office on Wednesday: 'I'm very disappointed at what happened a couple of nights now where people were killed in the middle of what you would call a negotiation." He added: 'When I see rockets being shot into cities, that's no good. We're not going to allow it.' Trump gives Putin two-week ceasefire DEADLINE - but can talks stop bloodbath? When asked if Putin really wants to end the war, Trump replied: "I can't tell you that, but I'll let you know in about two weeks. "Within two weeks. We're gonna find out whether or not he's tapping us along or not. "And if he is, we'll respond a little bit differently." One of the largest stumbling blocks which is delaying any peace deal is said to be over Putin's desire to control his former Soviet states and keep them away from Nato. 7 David Petraeus called Trump out on giving Putin too many second chances Credit: Reuters 7 The Russian despot says he wants assurance from NATO that it will stop expanding into countries eastward Credit: AFP 7 This includes Ukraine themselves with the Kremlin always saying Kyiv gaining access to the group is a complete no go under any circumstances. Kyiv has repeatedly said that Moscow should have no say in its sovereign right to pursue Nato membership however. He declared he will only call off the war in Ukraine if the West vows to keep its hands off Russia's prized former Soviet states. Putin even demanded he got the assurances in writing. The Russian president said he wants a "written" pledge from Western leaders to stop Nato's expansion to countries eastward, top Russian officials revealed to Reuters. The eastward expansion refers to Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and other former Soviet republics. Putin is reportedly preparing for a major push to take more land in the north east. Military analysts believe he is trying to press home his advantage and capture more Ukrainian land. They warn that Putin only has a "four-month window" to get a breakthrough in Ukraine this year. And this could be the beginning of Russia's summer offensive targeting the border city of Kharkiv - the "fortress" city of Ukraine which put up the maximum resistance at the start of the invasion. Reacting to the reports, German Chancellor Freidrich Merz predicted that peace was still a long way off. He said: "Wars typically end because of economic or military exhaustion on one side or on both sides and in this war we are obviously still far from reaching that [situation]. "So we may have to prepare for a longer duration." 7 Petraeus said Putin had often mentioned Lithuania in his speeches Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Putin will attack Lithuania next if he beats Ukraine, former CIA boss warns as Zelensky slams Vlad for ‘stalling talks'
VLADIMIR Putin will launch an assault on Lithuania next if he conquers Ukraine, an ex-CIA boss has warned. The caution comes as Zelensky slammed the Russian despot for "stalling peace talks" following his dismal attempts to get to the negotiating table. 7 Ukraine has accused Russia of 'stalling' peace' talks after Putin's failed attempts to get to the negotiating table Credit: Reuters 7 An ex-CIA boss has warned global leaders of a potential attack on Lithuania Credit: Getty David Petraus, a retired US general and director of the CIA, warned an attack on the Baltic state would not be an isolated event but part of a longer-term plan to test the West. Speaking at the Policy Exchange Think-Tank in London, Petraeus said Lithuania has "featured prominently" in Putin's speeches meaning he might turn on the next assault. After mad Vlad has installed a "puppet leader to control all of Ukraine" there's a strong chance he will turn his "focus on one of the Baltic states," he added. Taking Read more on World He said: "What we've seen is three incidences where the US President has threatened that in two weeks we'll have to take a different approach. "We'll see this time what actually happens. The US also temporised far too long over individual decisions such as M1 [Abrams] tanks. "A blind man on a dark night could see it had to be the F-16 (a multi- role fighter aircraft)." Ukraine responded yesterday saying: "The Russians' fear of sending their 'memorandum' to Ukraine suggests that it is likely filled with unrealistic ultimatums, and they are afraid of revealing that they are stalling the peace process." Most read in The US Sun His comments come after Trump issued Vlad with a two-week deadline for a ceasefire following Russia's deadly attack on Ukraine earlier this week. Trump said in the Oval Office on Wednesday: 'I'm very disappointed at what happened a couple of nights now where people were killed in the middle of what you would call a negotiation." He added: 'When I see rockets being shot into cities, that's no good. We're not going to allow it.' Trump gives Putin two-week ceasefire DEADLINE - but can talks stop bloodbath? When asked if Putin really wants to end the war, Trump replied: "I can't tell you that, but I'll let you know in about two weeks. "Within two weeks. We're gonna find out whether or not he's tapping us along or not. "And if he is, we'll respond a little bit differently." One of the largest stumbling blocks which is delaying any peace deal is said to be over Putin's desire to control his former Soviet states and keep them away from Nato. 7 David Petraeus called Trump out on giving Putin too many second chances Credit: Reuters 7 The Russian despot says he wants assurance from NATO that it will stop expanding into countries eastward Credit: AFP 7 This includes Ukraine themselves with the Kremlin always saying Kyiv gaining access to the group is a complete no go under any circumstances. Kyiv has repeatedly said that Moscow should have no say in its sovereign right to pursue Nato membership however. He declared he will only call off the war in Ukraine if the West vows to keep its hands off Russia's prized former Soviet states. Putin even demanded he got the assurances in writing. The Russian president said he wants a "written" pledge from Western leaders to stop Nato's expansion to countries eastward, top Russian officials revealed to Reuters. The eastward expansion refers to Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and other former Soviet republics. Putin is reportedly preparing for a major push to take more land in the north east. Military analysts believe he is trying to press home his advantage and capture more Ukrainian land. They warn that Putin only has a "four-month window" to get a breakthrough in Ukraine this year. And this could be the beginning of Russia's summer offensive targeting the border city of Kharkiv - the "fortress" city of Ukraine which put up the maximum resistance at the start of the invasion. Reacting to the reports, German Chancellor Freidrich Merz predicted that peace was still a long way off. He said: "Wars typically end because of economic or military exhaustion on one side or on both sides and in this war we are obviously still far from reaching that [situation]. "So we may have to prepare for a longer duration." 7 Petraeus said Putin had often mentioned Lithuania in his speeches Credit: Getty 7 Putin is reportedly preparing for a major push to take more land in the north east Credit: Getty
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Shadow Force movie review: Kerry Washington, Omar Sy-starrer is a run-of-the-mill affair
Shadow Force movie review: Mark Strong has spent a career at the movies playing slick bad guys in some form or another. Rarely has he been called upon to do more – including getting shot again and again, only to get up and do it one more time. That's only part of the miracle about his villainous turn as Jack Cinder. Rarely has anyone coveted a position at G7 so strongly – nor they might again. An ex-CIA chief still proud of his bag of dirty tricks, Cinder goes about correcting everyone who meets him that he is now the 'general secretary' of G7. Apart from one meeting where he puts presumably the head of the United States in his place by calling him an armchair nobody, Cinder doesn't have to put in much office time. Instead, in sharply tailored suits, swilling the choicest whiskeys, Cinder jets about from private mansions in Miami to private islands in Bogota. Enough about him. For as much as Strong is hard to forget – in a bad way – Shadow Force is about Issac (Sy) and Kyrah (Washington). Once Cinder's star recruits in the secretive grey unit he put together called Shadow Force, doing 'God's dirty work' no less, Issac and Kyrah did the unthinkable by falling in love and having a son. Cinder would have none of it, and hence Kyrah and Issac must remain apart and raise Ky (Kamara) in secrecy – till Cinder finds out, of course. The storyline then is Issac, Kyrah and Ky (joined together by love and Lionel Richie) versus Cinder and the rest of his blood-thirsty Shadow Force bunch. The initial scenes between Ky and Issac are moving and promise a movie that would have been, if not interesting, at least not this run-of-the-mill. Sy, a charismatic French actor and the star of the OTT show Lupin, is gentle, mysterious and a pleasure to watch. The fact that he seamlessly slips into French while horsing about with the much-too-unruffled Ky doesn't hurt. Also Read | Bad Boy review: A grittier, more gruesome companion piece to Adolescence; Netflix's teen drama is a brutal coming-of-age tale In contrast, Washington brings all her pillowy-lipped, dewy-eyed, hangdog demeanour to Kyrah, not really the femme fatale she is going for – that bustier-and-heels look is a call for help. Her and Issac's bickering is a pitiable shot at doing a Mrs and Mrs Smith, which clearly filmmaker Joe Carnaghan too realises, moving quickly away every time they get into friendly ribbing or bickering. Who is Randolph, an Oscar-winning actress, supposed to be playing, and why? There are no easy answers to that. Shadow Force movie director: Joe Carnahan Shadow Force movie cast: Kerry Washington, Omar Sy, Mark Strong, Jahleel Kamara, Da'Vine Joy Randolph Shadow Force movie rating: 1.5 stars
