FILE - In this May 9, 2018, file photo, Gina Haspel arrives to her confirmation hearing at the Senate Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. Haspel’s 33-year spy career began as the Cold War was thawing, but she was in the shadows countering Russian intelligence agencies that never stopped trying to penetrate the U.S. government. It's experience she can tap as she leads the agency amid rising tensions with Moscow. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

CIA’s Haspel can tap undercover work in Russian operations

WASHINGTON – The debate over Gina Haspel’s nomination to be CIA director has focused on her role in the spy agency’s former harsh interrogation program.

But it’s her knowledge of Russian intelligence and her experience running counterintelligence operations against spies from Moscow that she’ll be tapping as she takes over at a time of rising tension with the Kremlin.

The 61-year-old Russian speaker won confirmation his week to become the CIA’s first female director.

She’s been described as “clear-eyed, hard-nosed expert on Russia.”

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