CIA now backs lab leak theory to explain origins of Covid-19

Analysis released by new director, John Ratcliffe, suggests the agency believes totality of evidence makes a lab origin

The CIA now believes the virus responsible for the coronavirus pandemic most likely originated from a laboratory, according to an assessment released on Saturday that points the finger at China even while acknowledging that the spy agency has low confidence" in its own conclusion.

The finding is not the result of any new intelligence, and the report was completed at the behest of the Biden administration and former CIA director William Burns. It was declassified and released on Saturday on the orders of president Donald Trump's pick to lead the agency, John Ratcliffe, who was sworn in as director on Thursday.