Central Intelligence Agency News

Every day, nearly 60 fully loaded very large crude-oil carriers sail between the Persian Gulf and Chinese ports, carrying about half of the oil that powers the world's second-largest economy.As the vessels enter the South China Sea, they ply waters increasingly controlled by China's growing military, from the missile batteries and airfields at its bases on disputed islands to its stealthy Type 055 destroyers.But when crossing the Indian Ocean, joined by others headed to China from Africa and Brazil…

One of President Vladimir Putin's top allies said on Wednesday that the sabotage of the Nord Stream offshore gas pipelines resembled the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency-backed attacks on oil infrastructure in Nicaragua in 1983.Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 offshore gas pipelines, which run from Russia to Germany on the bed of the Baltic Sea, were ruptured last month in what Moscow said was an act of "international terrorism".President Vladimir Putin on Friday blamed the United States and its allies for blowing up the undersea Nord Stream pipelines, allegations rejected by Washington.

The U.S. State Department is tracking efforts to complete Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and evaluating information on entities that appear to be involved, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday."Any entity involved in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline risks U.S. sanctions and should immediately abandon work on the pipeline," Blinken said in a statement, adding the Biden administration is committed to complying with 2019 and 2020 legislation with regards to the pipeline and sanctions.Shortly after Blinken's statement…

Republican Senator Ted Cruz put a hold late on Friday on President Joe Biden's pick to lead the Central Intelligence Agency to pressure the administration to put tough sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project.The Senate Intelligence Committee last week backed William Burns, a former ambassador to Russia, by a unanimous vote. Burns has been confirmed by the Senate for five previous jobs over 33 years and is expected to eventually be approved by the full…

Although a small nation on the Atlantic shores, Portugal in the 16th century was credited with discovering most of the “New World” previously unknown to Europe. In the process it became the richest nation in the West. The names of Bartolomeu Dias (Africa), Vasco da Gama (India) and Fernão de Magalhães – Magellan, who led the first circumnavigation of the globe but was killed in the attempt – echo down the centuries. Over the years the country underwent a transformation and saw the hard won glory fade. In fact until 1974, strong public protection dominated the national shipping sector, especially regarding merchant shipping to Portugal’s overseas territories.

A ship built by the CIA for a secret Cold War mission in 1974 to raise a sunken Soviet sub is heading to the scrap yard, a victim of the slide in oil prices. Christened the Hughes Glomar Explorer, after billionaire Howard Hughes was brought in on the CIA's deception, the 619-foot vessel eventually became part of the fleet of ships used by Swiss company Transocean to drill for oil. But the oil price rout means the former spy ship now called GSF Explorer is just one of 40 such offshore drilling rigs that have been consigned to scrap since last year.

With its coastline of 7,800 km, Italy is expediently nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea with the surrounding waters creating a tremendous resource for Italian economy. Businesses linked to the sea, including ocean technology firms, contribute significantly to Italy’s gross domestic product totaling more than $40 billion and representing 2.6% of total GDP. The Italian shipyard industry ranks among the top 20 in the world with ship building and boat-building accounting for 64% of the industry turnover, totaling 6.3 billion Euro in 2012, and Technological Equipment placed at 2.2 billion Euro. Italy is also a world leader in yacht production with more than 49% of the market share.

Security Dynamics LLC, a global security and risk management advisory firm, added three new Senior Advisors to its team of Subject Matter Experts. The news was announced by Kim E. Petersen, the firm’s Chairman and President. The new Senior Advisors will compliment Security Dynamics’ current team of experts bringing with them decades of career experience in intelligence, homeland security, infrastructure protection, intermodal transportation security and law enforcement training.

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) released a redacted copy of its report on Project Azorian. This was the secret 1973-4 operation that involved raising a sunken Soviet submarine from the floor of the Pacific Ocean. In March 1968, the submarine, and armed with three long-range nuclear missiles, various nuclear torpedoes, and secret code material, sank in 16,000 feet deep waters northwest of Hawaii. The U.S. Navy had monitored the sinking and was surprised when it became apparent that the Soviet Navy was unable to locate the wreck. A plan was then developed by the CIA for attempted recovery of the submarine. Arrangements were made with the reclusive Howard Hughes to use a bogus deep seabed mining venture as a cover story.

“The Administration has certainly insisted on transparency when it involves divulging our interrogation techniques to alleged terrorists, but has refused to apply the same standard for the American people when it comes to the readiness of our nation’s defenses. In a move the Washington Post described as ‘unprecedented secrecy,’ Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently instituted a gag order requiring hundreds of Pentagon officials involved in the budget process to sign a non-disclosure agreement barring them from discussing any proposed cuts or expenditures even to members of congress. These were the very individuals who had the expertise necessary to assess any potential damage to national security such cuts could present.

at a ceremony at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn. States. Carter is the only U.S. president to qualify in submarines. Navy and the submarine force. He is a 1946 graduate of the U.S. commander-in-chief from 1977-1981. century. James R. principal address. of energy. husband. across the bow to formally name the submarine Jimmy Carter. class. shallow water. enhance payload capability. mine-warfare operations. Cmdr. Robert D. a crew of approximately 130 officers, chiefs, and enlisted personnel. operate at more than 25 knots submerged. Carter will join the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Robert Whittel expressed his serious concern that, with only two weeks until the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) code goes into effect, most American ports and ships remain inadequately secure against potential terrorist attacks. Whittel, a Naval Reserve Officer and former American Maritime Officer, stressed that the security of American maritime facilities is one the most critical -- yet overlooked -- elements of U.S. homeland security. "America's lack of port security provides terrorists with a huge window of opportunity," Whittel said. The ISPS establishes rules and regulations for the prevention of terrorist acts against seaports and ocean-going vessels.

The completion of the last of 162 super lift evolutions scheduled during the construction of the tenth and last Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). The lift places the ship’s 700-ton island superstructure in position on the flight deck. CVN-77 is scheduled for delivery to the U.S. Navy in late 2008. President George W. Bush will deliver the principal address at the christening ceremony of the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, named for his father, former President George H. W. Bush at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard, Newport News, Va. The last of the Nimitz-class carriers is named in honor of World War II naval aviator and America’s 41st President of the United States, George Herbert Walker Bush.

Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England will name the Navy's tenth Nimitz class aircraft carrier in honor of World War II Naval Aviator and former President of the United States George Herbert Walker Bush during a ceremony today at 3 p.m. in the Pentagon Auditorium, room 5A1070. Senator John Warner of Virginia, a former secretary of the Navy himself, will join England and the former president for the event. The future USS George H.W. under construction at Northrop Grumman's Newport News in Virginia. Bush's lifetime of service to American began when he joined the Navy on his 18th birthday in 1942 as a seaman. commission and designated a Naval Aviator before his 19th birthday. Jacinto. making a bombing run. bailing out of the doomed aircraft.