The line of refugees from Ukraine at the Medyka border crossing in Poland at this hour. It’s 37 degrees; volunteers handing out blankets, hot tea and food as new arrivals wait to load onto buses heading to different towns.
Polish soldiers hold Ukrainian mothers’ children while they collect supplies and warm drinks
CIA Director Burns says he just returned from his 13th trip to Ukraine, noting the level of importance US has attached to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.
He quips President Zelenskyy gave him a ‘free upgrade’ certificate for the train to Kyiv after his 10th trip
Of the "elusive" Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, Burns says "it's about leaders...who ultimately have to recognize that enough is enough, that perfect is rarely on the menu - especially in the Middle East." He says "hard choices" are required in the interest of long-term stability
"We face the very real danger of a further regional escalation of conflict," CIA's Burns says, though "we don't assess" that either Iran's or Israel's leadership is looking for "all-out conflict."
CIA Director Burns, speaking alongside MI6 chief Moore, says "I don't think either of us see direct evidence today as we sit here the provision of weapons and munitions from China to Russia for use in the war effort in Ukraine - but we see lots of things just short of that."
Burns declines twice to confirm whether Iran has shipped ballistic missiles to Russia. "All I will say is ... that it would be a dramatic escalation of the nature of that defense partnership."
Of Ukraine's offensive in Russia's Kursk region, Moore says, "I think it's typically audacious and bold on the part of the Ukrainians to try and change the game...by going in and taking Kursk [Ukrainians] have really brought the war home to ordinary Russians."
US has intelligence confirming ISIS claim of responsibility for Moscow attack, per US official. Sources note a steady stream of intel, some highly specific, dating to November of ISIS desire to strike in Russia. US advised Kremlin under Duty to Warn. @margbrennan @CBSDavidMartin
.@NSC_Spox: “Earlier this month, the U.S. Government had information about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow – potentially targeting large gatherings, to include concerts – which prompted the State Department to issue a public advisory to Americans in Russia.” 1/2
.@NSC_Spox: “The U.S. Government also shared this information with Russian authorities in accordance with its longstanding ‘duty to warn’ policy.” 2/2
The leaders of six major U.S. intelligence agencies set to offer rare public testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee - intelligence.senate.gov
Chairman @MarkWarner: "More than 60 countries..will vote this year. But I am deeply concerned that democracy, including in the United States, is under greater threat than ever. Bad actors like Russia are particularly incentivized to interfere, given what is at stake in Ukraine"
@MarkWarner Warner on Ukraine: "The decision thus far by the House of Representatives not to even take up legislation that would support Ukrainians in their fight against Putin’s aggression has been one of the most short-sighted decisions on a national security issue that I can recall."
"We continue to assess that Beijing wants to preserve stability and avoid triggering additional technology restrictions or sanctions from the United States and our partners," DNI Haines says at Senate Armed Services committee hearing on worldwide threats
DNI Haines: The IC assesses that China's long term economic growth "will continue to decelerate because China's era of rapid catch-up growth is ending & structural issues such as debt, demographics, inequality, over-reliance on investment & inadequate domestic consumption remain"
CIA Director William Burns: “I think the president’s decision to selectively and carefully declassify some of our…intelligence has had a very important impact throughout the course of the war” in Ukraine #MSC2023
House Intelligence Committee chairman @RepMikeTurner notes bipartisan, bicameral support for Burns and the IC’s work and gives a notable, amicable shoutout to Ranking Member @jahimes, in attendance
Turner & Burns describe the early deliberations over providing Ukrainians with U.S. intelligence on the location of Russian troops - which was initially feared to be ‘provocative.’ Ultimately that shared tactical intel “had an immediate impact on the battlefield,” Burns says