CIA Releases Email Containing Details of Biden’s Handling of Hunter Biden’s Ukraine Dealings
The CIA has made headlines by releasing an email from the Obama administration, shedding light on then-Vice President Joe Biden’s intentions regarding an intelligence report on his son, Hunter Biden’s, business activities in Ukraine.
Key Highlights of the Email
- Confidential Intelligence Report: The email indicates that, in 2015, President Biden aimed to keep an intelligence report concerning Hunter Biden’s business dealings in Ukraine undisclosed.
- Ukrainian Government’s Concerns: At the time, members of the Ukrainian government believed that Biden was wary of media scrutiny regarding his family’s alleged connections to corruption in Ukraine.
Email Insights
The email, disclosed on Tuesday by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, is primarily redacted. However, it originates from an official within the Obama administration who was in communication with Biden’s office. A notable excerpt reads:
"Just spoke with VP/NSA … and he would strongly prefer the report not/not be disseminated,” noted a “PDB Briefer,” referring to the Presidential Daily Brief, a crucial intelligence overview usually provided to the President and Vice President.
This email was sent to an individual in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and suggests a deliberate effort to manage the narrative surrounding Biden’s connections in Ukraine.
Context of the Intelligence Report
Timeline of Events
- Email Date: The email pertains to a report generated in December 2015.
- Visit to Ukraine: During this month, Vice President Biden visited Ukraine to address its parliament.
Content of the Report
The intelligence report, which is also heavily redacted, reveals:
- Ukrainian officials expressed bewilderment and disappointment regarding Biden’s visit.
- They believed Biden’s presence was mostly for delivering a generic public speech rather than engaging in substantial discussions with Ukrainian leaders, including President Petro Poroshenko.
Concerns of Ukrainian Officials
Post-visit assessments indicated that:
“These officials privately mused” that Biden avoided meeting with Poroshenko due to fears of U.S. media scrutiny concerning his family’s alleged ties to corruption.
This sentiment highlighted perceived inconsistencies in the U.S. government’s approach to matters of corruption and political influence.
Hunter Biden’s Connection to Burisma
At the time of the report’s creation:
- Hunter Biden had been a board member of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma for over 18 months.
- He was reportedly compensated around $50,000 per month for his role, continuing until his departure from the firm in 2019.
Conclusion
The release of this email raises significant questions surrounding the Biden administration’s transparency and its handling of potential conflicts of interest related to Hunter Biden’s business dealings. The investigation into these matters continues to gain traction, attracting both media and public attention.
For more information on the complexities surrounding Hunter Biden’s involvement with Burisma and the implications for the Biden family, see this detailed analysis from the BBC.
Further Reading
- Understanding the Role of the CIA in Political Matters
- Investigating Corruption: The U.S. Stance in Global Affairs
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