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

The Coming Age of Robotic Warfare

The opportunity – and danger – of AI-powered robotic armies.

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A battalion of armed robots moves against a unit of soldiers, aiming to seize territory. In the ensuing battle, the robots open fire, communicate [...] More

Tech/Cyber

Expert Insights

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

Opinion

The Hidden Cost of America’s War With Iran

Walter Pincus

“The [U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain] base and Fifth Fleet headquarters have been rendered largely inoperable for their original functions, with repairs estimated at $400 million… Chief of Naval Operations Admiral [...] More

Walter Pincus Fine Print
Opinion

The Command We Must Start

Richard Berry

In 1928, Secretary of War Dwight Davis ordered the Army to assemble an experimental mechanized force of tanks, armored cars, and motorized infantry at Camp Meade, Maryland. It was disbanded within months. A second attempt [...] More

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News & Analysis

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

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

Middle East Expert View

Opinion

Fire Base Australia: Can America’s Southern Base Sustain a Pacific War?

Sami Omari

Fire Base Australia: Can America’s Southern Base Sustain a Pacific War?

American access to Australian bases is only as valuable as Australia’s ability to keep them operating under attack. For Washington, expanding [...] More

Alternative Perspectives

What’s on The Cipher Brief’s Digital Channel

Book Reviews

Through Churchill’s lens: Kennedy’s self-creation into Greatness
Through Churchill’s lens: Kennedy’s self-creation into Greatness

Canada’s Top Soldier: Too Many Missions, Too Few Resources
Canada’s Top Soldier: Too Many Missions, Too Few Resources

The Challenge of History: Terrorism in Canada
The Challenge of History: Terrorism in Canada

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The Best National Security Gossip

PUSH NOTIFICATION, PUSH BACK: Since 2022, Ukrainians have relied on one app to tell them when to head for shelter. On Sunday night it told them the wrong things. Just before 11 p.m., Ukraine’s public air raid app began pushing false alerts, according to Reuters. One announced that Russia had launched an Oreshnik, the hypersonic missile that can carry a nuclear warhead, and declared a nuclear alert across the country. Ukraine’s air force noticed the alerts were written in Russian and drew the obvious conclusion. All-clear messages followed, and the app was briefly taken offline. A few hours later it was Moscow’s turn. [...] More

Get The Drop

Events

Live Events

2026 Threat Conference

2026 Threat Conference

The Cipher Brief Threat Conference is the nation’s premier forum for non-partisan discussion of global threats and solutions as well as high-level [...] More

Previous Event: 25 October, 2026

The Cipher Brief 2027 HONORS Awards

The Cipher Brief 2027 HONORS Awards

Join us for the third annual Cipher Brief Honors Dinner, the evening of April 9, 2027. This Black-Tie event is invite-only. Please apply here for a [...] More

Upcoming: 09 April, 2027

Podcasts

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?