Incoming President Donald Trump's nominee for Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director assessed Wednesday that North Korea remains a "destabilizing" force, as he stressed America faces what may be the "most challenging" national security environment in its history.

CIA nominee John Ratcliffe is telling senators about how he’ll reshape the intelligence community in what he calls "the most challenging national security environment in our nation’s history."

Ratcliffe identified China as the U.S.'s greatest geopolitical rival as he testified before the Senate on Wednesday.

John Ratcliffe, who served as director of national intelligence during Trump’s first term, is a former federal prosecutor and conservative member of Congress representing a district in Texas. He was a fierce defender of Trump during his first impeachment proceedings in the House.

John Ratcliffe, who served as director of national ... as America’s greatest geopolitical rival, with Russia, Iran, North Korea and drug cartels, hacking gangs and terrorist organizations ...

John Ratcliffe, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the CIA, has told members of the Senate that the nation's premier spy agency can do better.

John Ratcliffe, who served as director of national ... as America’s greatest geopolitical rival, with Russia, Iran, North Korea and drug cartels, hacking gangs and terrorist organizations ...

Video above: John Ratcliffe says 'we face what may be the ... with Russia, Iran, North Korea and drug cartels, hacking gangs and terrorist organizations also posing challenges to national security.

Incoming President Donald Trump's nominee for Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director assessed Wednesday that North Korea remains a "destabilizing" force.

John Ratcliffe, Donald Trump's pick to lead the CIA, told members of the Senate that loyalty to Trump would not conflict with duties to follow intelligence leads.

President-elect Donald Trump's pick for CIA director, John Ratcliffe, on Wednesday vowed not to fire or force out employees for their political views or their opinions about the incoming U.S. leader,

President Donald Trump is taking a more assertive role on the global stage, aiming to establish Washington as an aggressive driver of global affairs, with a focus on maximum pressure on Iran and a strategic pivot to the Indo-Pacific.