The Cipher Brief

2025: 10 Events That Changed the World

The decisions, conflicts, and power shifts that redefined global security — and what they mean heading into 2026.

SPECIAL REPORT — In a turbulent year, one of the biggest national security stories came in the form of a document.The administration’s National [...] More

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Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

The Cipher Brief's Recommended Reads for the Holidays

The Cipher Brief's Recommended Reads for the Holidays

BOOK REVIEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS -- Welcome to our annual holiday book review and recommendations list, where we highlight some of the terrific books [...] More

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AVAST YE HEARTIES - If you’ve ever wanted to be a pirate, this might be your moment. Apparently inspired by President Trump’s seizure of a shadow fleet oil tankers loaded with sanctioned Venezuelan crude, Sen. Mike Lee, (R-Utah), has reintroduced his Cartel Marque and Reprisal Reauthorization Act, which encourages President Trump to give American civilians “letters of marque” authorizing them to become “privateers” and ”seize cartel property and persons on land or sea.” “Would you like to seize cartel assets as a privateer?” Lee posited on X. “...Time to take these pirates down.” According to the Congressional Research [...] More

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State Secrets

In this edition of the State Secrets podcast, we’re talking with two men who are carrying one of the most legendary torches in modern thriller history. Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson are the powerhouse duo behind the tier one series and are the authors of the latest novel in the Tom Clancy, Jack Ryan universe - Executive Power. Host Suzanne Kelly talks with them about a covert team wiped out in Angola and a high-stakes hostage with action playing out on a global scale, of course. In other words, all the good stuff.