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How Far Should the U.S. Go to Defend Saudi Arabia?

Former senior CIA official Norm Roule examines how Washington can strengthen Saudi Arabia’s defenses against Houthi attacks without risking another open-ended conflict

Recent deadly attacks by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthis inside of Saudi Arabia have raised questions about just how far the U.S. should go in helping [...] More

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Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

We’re Losing the Cognitive Space Race

We’re Losing the Cognitive Space Race

Over the last century, modern medicine achieved a historic feat. We increased the human lifespan by 33%. But at the same time, we completely failed [...] More

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LICENSE TO MARVEL: Marvel’s upcoming Disney+ spy thriller “Zodiac” has recruited Israeli writers Amit Cohen and Ron Leshem, Deadline reports. The pair know the territory. Their credits include “8200,” named for Israel’s signals intelligence unit (roughly its answer to the NSA), and “Traitor.” Leshem also created the original Israeli version of “Euphoria.” The series will reportedly follow two spies hunting people with extraordinary abilities. Marvel Television chief Brad Winderbaum gave away little more at New York Comic Con earlier this month, The Playlist reported. He called it “a globetrotting, international espionage [...] More

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State Secrets

Russia’s war against Ukraine is being fought on the battlefield, but another confrontation is unfolding across Europe. From drone incursions and sabotage operations to cyberattacks and threats against critical infrastructure, Moscow’s expanding gray zone campaign is raising urgent questions about NATO’s ability to respond.

In this episode of State Secrets, host Suzanne Kelly is joined by Dr. Jacek Siewiera, former head of Poland’s National Security Bureau and former senior national security advisor to the Polish president, and Dave Pitts, former senior CIA executive and co-founder of The Cipher Brief’s Gray Zone Group.

Together, they examine how Russia is using hybrid warfare to test NATO’s defenses, spread fear and uncertainty, and undermine European support for Ukraine. They also explore the growing risks posed by drone technology, the potential use of chemical and radiological weapons, and why traditional deterrence strategies may no longer be enough.

As Russia’s shadow war expands beyond Ukraine, what will it take for Europe and the United States to effectively deter Moscow before these threats escalate further?

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Former senior CIA official Norm Roule examines how Washington can strengthen Saudi Arabia’s defenses against Houthi attacks without risking another open-ended conflict

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Admiral James Stavridis (Ret.)

Admiral Sandy Winnefeld (Ret.), Former Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

Lieutenant General (Ret.) Guy C. Swann III

Lt. Gen. Michael Groen (Ret.)

General John R. Allen (Ret.)