The Cipher Brief: National Security news, analysis and expert commentary.

The Open Source Report

Friday, November 1, 2024

Netanyahu says Israel is aiming for ‘total victory.’

U.S. envoys in Mideast chasing waning ceasefire hopes

Zelensky says 90% of the US aid package hasn't reached Ukraine

Zelensky blasts allies for 'zero' response to North Korean deployment

State of Georgia says Russian troll farms disseminating U.S. election disinformation

China's PLA navy conducts first dual aircraft carrier formation drills in South China Sea

Access the Report

In Next President’s Inbox: 10 Global Nightmares

A dizzying set of security challenges await the 47th president.

SPECIAL REPORT – As a divided nation hurtles towards the election, and officials worry about politically-driven violence, potential nightmares abound for the next commander-in-chief. Put […] More

The Experts

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

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Featured Viewing

CIA Director Gets Candid About Today’s Global Challenges | The Cipher Brief


Opinion

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NSA Director: US Investigating China Telecom Cyberattacks | The Cipher Brief

OCTOBER 7: ONE YEAR LATER | THE WORLD DECIPHERED Ep. 9

INTERPOL Director of Cybercrime talks AI, Scams, and International Collaboration | The Cipher Brief


Book Reviews

Dead Drop

This Week’s Dead Drop: November 1

THEY’RE COMING FOR YOUR BRAIN: (well, sort of…)It got our attention this week when former senior CIA officers Dave Pitts and J.D. Maddox made a rather compelling case in The Cipher Brief that U.S. adversaries - including China and Russia - are effectively using cognitive warfare strategies against Americans and that the U.S. needs to get smart on the strategy…real fast. The two define ‘cognitive warfare’ as “activities conducted across a broad spectrum to achieve specific strategic objectives by influencing individuals, groups, and societies at the cognitive level—through information activities, [...] More

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Podcasts

State Secrets

The Defense Counterintelligence & Security Agency touches more than 90% of the personnel security background checks that help determine whether a job candidate receives a security clearance. But the agency has other missions as well, all focused on enhancing national security. State Secrets podcast host Suzanne Kelly talks with Director David Cattler about the agency’s responsibilities, about just how long it takes to get a clearance, the challenges associated with clearing a workforce and about whether that marijuana you once tried really is a dealbreaker (we couldn’t resist the urge to ask).

Cover Stories: Spies, Books & Entertainment

Description: Admiral Jim Stavridis (Ret.) is out with his fourteenth book, The Restless Wave - a tale of historical fiction taking place during World War II. Cover Stories co-host Suzanne Kelly caught up with the retired Admiral for a Cipher Brief Book Club virtual meeting to talk about just how much of ‘himself’ was written into his main character – about what inspired his writing and then, she couldn’t help but ask about those love scenes.


What the Experts Say

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John McLaughlin

Since retiring from CIA in 2017, I’ve been honored to be a part of the exceptional Cipher Brief team providing expert assessment – whether it’s nuclear proliferation, transnational terrorism, and climate change or hard targets like Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia – The Cipher Brief delivers without the predisposed ideological bias so often prevalent in today’s discourse.

Daniel Hoffman

The Cipher Brief means intelligence for business. And business has never needed a clear global picture more than now. I’ve been doing this for nearly fifty years and I have never seen the globe more complicated nor the effects of distant events more immediately felt. Seasoned intelligence professionals speak freely and candidly every day on The Cipher Brief and bring their intellect, their experience and their global networks to bear on what will be tomorrow’s news.

General Michael Hayden

“The Cipher Brief is my daily ‘must read’ for insightful coverage and analysis of national security events.  I find the Open Source Report to be a key tool in assessing global geopolitical risk, and illuminating national security challenges in just the right amount of depth.  It’s the perfect balance.  I can read it quickly, but step away feeling I have a solid grasp of the issues and implications.  Thanks to the brilliant Cipher Brief Team! “

Lt. Gen. Michael Groen (Ret.)

Congratulations to The Cipher Brief for actively promoting a national conversation – through conferences, analysis, and webinars at the highest level – on our country’s national security, intelligence capabilities, and challenges in confronting adversaries and competitors alike.

Emile Nakhleh

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