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

The Open Source Report

Friday, September 6, 2024

Israeli forces withdraw from Jenin

Zelensky attends Ramstein Group meeting, urges lifting of restrictions on long-range weapons 

Biden to sign $250 million in Ukraine security assistance

U.S., China military commanders to discuss conflict prevention

US, allies warn that Russian GRU is plotting to disrupt US, global critical infrastructure

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The Experts

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

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Featured Viewing

Russia’a Military Failures & The War in Afghanistan | THE WORLD DECIPHERED EP. 4


Opinion

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THE WORLD DECIPHERED Ep. 3

Ukraine’s Stunning Russia Incursion | THE WORLD DECIPHERED Ep. 2

Indicators of Escalation in the Middle East from a Retired Vice Admiral


Book Reviews

Dead Drop

This Week’s Dead Drop: September 6

NOC IS CON SPELLED BACKWARDS: There was a long, convoluted, and confusing story in the Wall Street Journal recently titled, “A Fake Spy, Russian Oil and $1 Million Funneled to Democrats.” We confess that we don’t entirely understand the article – but that’s never stopped us from bringing stuff up before. The story centers around a green-card-holding Indian businessman who apparently made a ton of money – and was a generous donor to U.S. Democratic party causes. Some folks told the paper that this guy wanted to create a private paramilitary organization – not unlike [...] More

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Podcasts

State Secrets

An Israeli airstrike against a school building in Gaza City earlier this month, killed nearly 100 people. Israel said the school served as an active Hamas and Islamic Jihad military facility. Hamas – which regularly sets up operational headquarters in civilian areas - denies it. With so many innocent civilians killed, this is exactly the kind of strike that is drawing intense criticism some ten months into Israel’s war against Hamas. A war that started with Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on Israel last October.

Cover Stories: Spies, Books & Entertainment

We talk with retired Navy Rear Admiral Mike Studeman about his book “Might of the Chain: Forging Leaders of Iron Integrity about why trust in leaders in the public and private sector has sunk to all-time lows and his formula for restoring and keeping that trust.Drawing on his naval experience (and heritage) Studeman explains how every person in an organization must pull their share of the load – because one weak link may sink the enterprise.The book has great value for sailors and non-sailors alike, giving readers insights on how to harden their own leadership mettle.


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John McLaughlin

The Cipher Brief is comprehensive providing in-depth expertise that spans globally relevant issues. In a world that is constantly changing, The Cipher Brief is proactive in identifying the critical conversations and engaging subject matter experts in the public and private sectors to help drive solutions.

General Keith Alexander

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