CIA Adjusts COVID-19 Origins Assessment Towards Lab Theory

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The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has revised its understanding of the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, now stating that it is "more likely" the virus emerged from a laboratory, rather than adapting in nature. This significant statement comes after years of uncertainty, during which the agency had been unable to definitively conclude the sources of the virus. The reassessment was prompted by directives from former CIA Director William Burns, who called for a clear evaluation of the pandemic's historical significance.

According to a spokesperson for the CIA, the agency currently possesses "low confidence" in its assertion regarding a research-related origin of COVID-19, while both lab-based and natural origins still remain plausible. Notably, the Chinese government has refuted these claims as politically motivated, emphasizing its participation in investigations into the virus's origins.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe has indicated that his priority is to facilitate a public assessment regarding how COVID-19 began, expressing a strong belief that it likely resulted from a leakage at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

The extent of new intelligence collected by the CIA regarding the virus's origins has not been disclosed, leaving questions about the basis for the updated assessment.

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