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

‘Mind-Blowing’ Pentagon Overhaul Will Reshape Acquisition

A top entrepreneur’s perspective on the risks and rewards of startup-style innovation at the Pentagon

‘Mind-Blowing’ Pentagon Overhaul Will Reshape Acquisition

FEATURED INTERVIEW — As the Pentagon undertakes its most ambitious overhaul yet of how it acquires new warfighting capabilities, Silicon Valley [...] More

Tech/CyberBrad Christian
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The Open Source Report

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak attends the 'Ukraine. Year 2025' forum on February 23, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Global Intelligence Report for Friday, November 28, 2025

National Guard Soldier Dies a Day After D.C. Shooting

Zelenskiy’s Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak resigns after raid by anti-graft police

Europe thinks the unthinkable: Retaliating against Russia

China seeks “alternative world order,” U.S. commission warns

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Expert Insights

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

A Real Life Example of Russian Information Operations

Glenn Corn

EXPERT PERSPECTIVE — In January of 2018, I was involved in organizing and supporting the visit of General Aleksandr Bortnikov, and Sergey Naryshkin, the heads of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and Foreign [...] More

The U.S. Needs to Restore Deterrence Credibility Against Putin

Ambassador Joseph DeTrani

OPINION — President Donald Trump’s 28-point peace plan is a humanitarian attempt to halt the killing and destruction in Ukraine, although Russia’s President Vladimir Putin may view the peace plan as an attempt to appease [...] More

RussiaAmbassador Joseph DeTraniUkraineEurope
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News & Analysis

Do Oil Sanctions Still Work?

Do Oil Sanctions Still Work?

DEEP DIVE — On October 22, 2025, in his boldest move yet to force Vladimir Putin back to the negotiating table, President Trump unleashed sweeping [...] More

RussiaEurope

Opinion

The Delhi Blast and Pakistan’s Proxy War: Why Another Clash Looks Likely

Siddhant Kishore

The Delhi Blast and Pakistan’s Proxy War: Why Another Clash Looks Likely

OPINION — South Asia has once again returned to the global spotlight after a suicide bombing struck the heart of India’s capital on November 10. The [...] More

Alternative PerspectivesAsia

What’s on The Cipher Brief’s Digital Channel

Tapping a China Vibe in South Koreaplay icon

Tapping a China Vibe in South Korea

The Open Source Report

Book Reviews

Want a Security Clearance? Stop Smoking Pot and Read This
Want a Security Clearance? Stop Smoking Pot and Read This

When the Chekists Took Up the Pen
When the Chekists Took Up the Pen

The Nazis Never Left. A Worthy Successor to a Classic Thriller
The Nazis Never Left. A Worthy Successor to a Classic Thriller

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The Best National Security Gossip

CODENAME 'INTELACCESS': For the first time ever in its decade of publishing national security insights from insiders, The Cipher Brief is offering a Black Friday Sale for subscribers who are looking to 'gift' national security knowledge to friends and colleagues. We know, it sounds much more fun to brave crowded shopping malls for gift ideas - only to end up - after hours of fighting crowds and finding picked over deals - settling on yet another questionably attractive sweater, going home and pouring a stiff drink. Here are two good reasons why gifting a Cipher Brief subscription is a great idea this year: 1) You can [...] More

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Events

Live Events

The Cipher Brief 2026 HONORS Awards

The Cipher Brief 2026 HONORS Awards

Join us for the third annual Cipher Brief Honors Dinner, the evening of March 13, 2026. This Black-Tie event is invite only, please apply here for a [...] More

Upcoming: 13 March, 2026

Podcasts

State Secrets

In this episode of State Secrets, Cipher Brief CEO & Publisher Suzanne Kelly talks with retired four-star Gen. Stan McChrystal, who served as Commander of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and is author of the new book, On Character: Choices That Define a Life, about what character really means in an era where everything feels political, whether intended or not.

Cover Stories: Spies, Books & Entertainment


David McCloskey, former CIA Analyst turned novelist is out with his fourth book, The Persian, about an Iranian dentist who is recruited by Mossad to take on a dangerous mission inside Iran. Cover Stories Host Suzanne Kelly digs in on how McCloskey’s real-life Intelligence background fueled his latest novel, and discovers a few of McCloskey’s own secrets along the way.