John Ratcliffe, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for CIA Director, is not only known for his intelligence background and political allegiance but also for his significant connections with the Albanian-American community. His engagement with this community dates back several years and includes various events and meetings with influential figures.
In 2016, Ratcliffe attended and delivered a keynote speech as a special guest at the “National Economic Forum of the Albanian Diaspora” held in New York, organized by the Albanian-American network. His active participation highlighted his connection and support for the Albanian diaspora.
He has also been photographed with notable Albanian politicians such as Pandeli Majko, former Minister for the Diaspora in Albania, and Fatmir Mediu, a former Minister of Defense in Albania. In addition, Ratcliffe has met with officials from Kosovo, including members of the Assembly of Kosovo, reflecting his awareness and involvement in Balkan affairs.
Ratcliffe’s ties extend to close friendships with Albanian-American businessmen, evidenced by multiple photographs shared on social media platforms. These connections have fortified his reputation as a supporter of Albanian and Kosovar interests in the United States.
During Trump’s first term, Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, praised Ratcliffe’s appointment as Director of National Intelligence. Haradinaj emphasized the strength of the U.S.-Kosovo partnership in the field of security and highlighted Ratcliffe’s knowledge of Kosovo and developments in the Balkan region.
