Story perspectives

CIA Targets Chinese Military with Recruitment Video Campaign

2/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Central Intelligence Agency released a recruitment video on February 12, 2026 featuring a disillusioned Chinese military officer.
The video follows a 2025 campaign to recruit informants within China's military.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe said videos reached millions of Chinese citizens and urged contact with U.S. intelligence.
The agency seeks to penetrate China’s internet restrictions and rebuild its spy network amid escalating U.S.–China tensions in a new cold war.

1 of 1

Story summary

The Central Intelligence Agency released a recruitment video on February 12, 2026 featuring a disillusioned Chinese military officer.
The video follows a 2025 campaign to recruit informants within China's military.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe said videos reached millions of Chinese citizens and urged contact with U.S. intelligence.
The agency seeks to penetrate China’s internet restrictions and rebuild its spy network amid escalating U.S.–China tensions in a new cold war.