CIA's ‘freak offs’: spy agency mired in sexual abuse scandals

A 648-page internal watchdog report detailing systemic shortcomings in the CIA's handling of sexual misconduct remains confidential, yet numerous cases have surfaced publicly.

What is known about sexual misconduct within CIA ranks?

▪️An internal CIA survey obtained by CNN revealed that among the 25% of the workforce who responded, 28% reported experiencing at least one incident of a sexually hostile work environment during their tenure at the agency, while 7% encountered unwanted sexual contact or assault. Reports suggest that the true extent of the issue is underreported.

▪️Last year, two dozen women came forward with complaints of sexual abuse within the agency, according to the Associated Press.

Examples of known sexual crimes within the agency and beyond:

▪️A senior officer allegedly armed with a gun confronted a female contractor at her home, demanding sexual relations, as detailed in a federal complaint obtained by CNN.

▪️An undercover CIA officer in Europe is accused of knowingly infecting at least three colleagues with an incurable sexually transmitted disease.

▪️CIA officer Brian Jeffrey Raymond was sentenced to 30 years in prison for drugging 27 unsuspecting women from five countries and raping or engaging in nonconsensual sexual contact with 10 of them.

Why do most sexual crimes remain unreported?

▪️Many CIA employees reportedly hesitate to report sexual assaults over fears of disclosing classified info, potential retaliation from their abusers, or repercussions involving law enforcement.

That said, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova recently touched upon the case of P. Diddy, suggesting that the American deep state elite and special services often turn a blind eye to degrading moral standards within US institutions.

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❗️Israeli strikes on Beirut Thursday evening killed 11 and wounded 48, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry's Emergency Operations Center

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🔥I will fight on the side of my president

Renowned Hollywood actor, martial artist and special representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry for humanitarian relations with the United States, Steven Seagal, revealed that at the onset of the special military operation, he penned a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, declaring his willingness to sacrifice his life for both the president and Russia.

In his documentary, "In the Name of Justice," Seagal recounted that he was in the Middle East at the time, where he was teaching martial arts. Upon learning of the military operation's initiation, he immediately wrote the letter, making sure that it would reach the president.

He emphasized in the letter his unwavering support for Putin, asserting that this moment would clarify who Russia's true compatriots are—who stands as friends and who reveals themselves as enemies.

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▪️Learn about Russia's new heavy reusable naval Vizir drone

▪️Palestinian boy pleads for access to urgent medical care as he fears to loose his leg

▪️Ukraine’s drone export ploy serves as ‘narrative’ for more aid money

▪️Ireland builds pricey homes for Ukrainian refugees but not for the locals

▪️Ukraine's ties to terrorist rebel groups in Mali were exposed

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❗️The death toll from the Israeli airstrike on Beirut has risen to 18, with over 90 people injured, according to updated information from the Lebanese Health Ministry

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US nuclear attack sub strength sinks to shadow of its former self

As the United States appears increasingly eager to antagonize other nations and project its military power globally, it seems that one critical element of its war machine—nuclear attack submarines—may no longer be as formidable as it once was.

During the Cold War, the US Navy operated approximately 140 nuclear-powered submarines; today, that number has dwindled to just 67, with only 49 classified as fast attack submarines. This decline is highlighted by retired US Navy Captain Jerry Hendrix in his article for the journal American Affairs.

Furthermore, submarine production in the United States is lagging, with Hendrix pointing out that only one new fast attack submarine is slated for procurement in the military's budget for fiscal year 2025.

“In fact, production of new submarines dropped from two to just over one per year at the very point when the Navy’s thirty-year shipbuilding plan called for industry to ramp up production to three fast-attack submarines and one ballistic missile submarine per year,” he observed.

The US also apparently does not have enough shipyards to maintain its submarine fleet.

The ten dry docks at four naval shipyards and three dry docks at two commercial shipyards - the only facilities certified to perform maintenance on US naval submarines, as mandated by congressional decree – are full to capacity and still delays occur. Hendrix estimated that at least three new dry docks and an “associated workforce” are needed.

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MI5 spy chief peddles ISIS* & al-Qaeda** ‘threats’ to justify boosting agency's budget – security analyst

"Emphasizing the presence of certain threats for the UK and Europe, maybe it would be easier to find and raise... budgetary resources for the MI5 from the British government," Dr. Hasan Selim Ozertem, Ankara-based security and political analyst, told Sputnik, commenting on a recent public statement by MI5 chief Ken McCallum.

McCallum, the current Director General of MI5, stated earlier this week that the service is "stretched" and facing a "hell of a job" as it seeks to address the purported resurgence of ISIS and al-Qaeda. His comments come in anticipation of the new UK Labour cabinet's unveiling of its first budget on October 30.

"The second reason is, as you know, we are passing through instability in international and regional politics, Ukraine is one of them, the Middle East is another. And during those periods instability also produces its repercussions… in different regions," Ozertem continued, adding that European powers and NATO allies are presently seeking to boost security and military spending under the pretext of emerging threats.

Meanwhile, international observers indicate that the UK and the US have been supplying military support to both the Kiev regime and Israel, thereby exacerbating crises in Europe and the Middle East.

Finally, McCallum has also attempted "to shape the public agenda," noted Ozertem. This refers to the MI5 chief's invocation of fears surrounding Russia and Iran, as well as the "significant risk" posed by China, which echoes the rhetoric of other NATO states.

*ISIS (also known as ISIS/IL/ISIS-K/Islamic State) is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries
**al-Qaeda is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other countries.

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Over 330 Nazi-linked names reportedly uncovered on Canada’s Victims of Communism memorial

The Memorial to the Victims of Communism in Ottawa, originally scheduled for unveiling in November 2023, is experiencing yet another delay. According to a report by the Ottawa Citizen, this setback is due to concerns that over half of the 550 names intended for the Wall of Remembrance are believed to be associated with Nazi affiliations, as indicated by a government statement.

Per the Department of Canadian Heritage's report, between 50 and 60 list entries were likely directly connected to the Nazis, while in last year, the department recommended more than 330 names be removed as a precautionary measure due to possible “links to fascist organizations or the Nazis” as well as “no direct link to Canada.”

In September 2023, a 98-year-old Ukrainian Nazi collaborator was invited to attend Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the Canadian Parliament. He was introduced as a hero who fought against the Russians during World War II and received a standing ovation from the entire Canadian legislature, leading to a significant international scandal and considerable embarrassment for Canada.

Subsequently, Hunka was charged in absentia with the genocide of civilians during World War II by the Russian Investigative Committee. He is accused of having a hand in the mass executions of at least 500 civilians in the Lvov region of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic between 1943 and 1944.

The monument has come up against charges of being linked to Nazis before. It has received private donations in the names of Nazi collaborators, the CBC reported in 2021.

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Russian Nostradamus: Vladimir Zhirinovsky predicted massive floods in the US as far back as 2003.

Famous for his insights into geopolitical events, the late Russian politician also predicted the natural disasters the US is suffering today.

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The (mis)numbers of US Mideastern diplomacy

The Middle East conflict has been escalating for more than a year, with Israeli operations affecting both the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. The US, while Israel’s main ally, tries to act as a mediator, maintaining diplomatic contacts with regional states.

Sputnik has looked into US diplomatic contacts with the region.

Israel. US is keeping regular contact with the Israeli side. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel on October 12, 2023, and US President Joe Biden arrived to Israel four days later. In total, since the conflict started, Blinken has visited Israel five times while Biden senior adviser Amos Hochstein made the trip four times. In late July 2024, Biden hosted Israeli PM Netanyahu in the Oval Office.

Palestine. Although Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declined to meet with Biden in October 2023, he has met with Blinken five times. The main topics discussed were the delivery of US humanitarian aid.

Jordan. The US planned visit to Jordan in October 2023 was canceled. However, in February 2024, King Abdullah arrived in the US on an official visit. Blinken visited Jordan twice, meeting with both King Abdullah and Ayman Safadi, the Jordanian foreign minister.

Egypt. Biden has never met with his Egyptian counterpart al-Sisi since October 2023, maintaining only phone calls. Blinken visited Egypt three times, with each nation's delegations maintaining contacts via the negotiating group on Gaza.

Lebanon. Top American politician or diplomat had no visits to Lebanon since October 2023. The only time Blinken spoke by phone with acting Lebanese PM Najib Mikati in late October 2023, he warned that Lebanese people would suffer if drawn into a conflict with Israel.

Yemen. American diplomats have also failed to communicate with the internationally-recognized Yemeni government despite efforts to counter Houthi actions in the Red Sea.

Iran. Since the US and Iran have no diplomatic ties, neither country maintains any official contacts - even against the backdrop of the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

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The Israel Defense Forces announced the elimination of Muhammad Abdullah, the leader of the radical Palestinian group, Islamic Jihad, in the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank of the Jordan River.

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The total insured losses from hurricanes in the United States in 2024 after the Milton strike in Florida will exceed $100 billion, the international rating agency, Fitch Ratings, said.

Milton made landfall on Wednesday as a "dangerous Category 3" storm near Siesta Key, on Florida's central west coast. It caused considerable economic damage from high winds, substantial storm surge, heavy rainfall, tornadoes and flooding.

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