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

What to Watch for in Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Visit to Washington

The White House visit could transform the relationship with a key Gulf ally

What to Watch for in Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Visit to Washington

EXPERT INTERVIEW — President Trump is welcoming Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House today with an announcement that he plans to [...] More

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The Open Source Report

​Police investigate at the scene of a damaged section of railway tracks on the Deblin-Warsaw route near the Mika railway station, next to the town of Zyczyn, central Poland, on November 17, 2025

Global Intelligence Report for Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Trump says U.S. will sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia

Zelensky to visit Turkey to 'reinvigorate' stalled negotiations with Russia

Russian intelligence likely behind railway sabotage, Poland says

UN Security Council approves US-draft resolution on Gaza

Access Today’s Report

Expert Insights

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

A Constitutional Clash Over Trump’s War Powers in Venezuela

Walter Pincus

OPINION — “The question before the body is, can the Congress stop a military conflict declared by the Commander-in- Chief because we don’t agree with the decision, and without our [Congress] approval it must end? The [...] More

Q&A: Interpol’s Cybercrime Chief on How AI is Driving Borderless Cyber Threats

Dr. Neal Jetton

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW — Anthropic’s announcement that Chinese state-sponsored hackers used its Claude AI technology for a largely automated cyberattack underscores how cybercriminals are becoming faster, stronger and more [...] More

News & Analysis

Can a “Flamingo” Cruise Missile Help Ukraine Turn the Tide?

Can a “Flamingo” Cruise Missile Help Ukraine Turn the Tide?

DEEP DIVE – Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky calls it “our most successful missile.” One expert says it’s "Ukraine’s strongest security [...] More

Opinion

Why Putin Is Losing The War In Ukraine That He Thinks He Is Winning

OPINION — The Russian invasion of Ukraine that began in January 2022 is now approaching its fourth year. The cost for Ukraine has been very high, but [...] More

What’s on The Cipher Brief’s Digital Channel

Book Reviews

COMMON SENSE IN ADVERTISING: Russia’s Federal Security Service claims to have recently foiled a plot that the FSB says was hatched by “British and Ukrainian spies” to convince Russian pilots to steal a MiG-31 carrying a Kinzhal hypersonic missile. Sounds like a plausible idea, right? According to Reuters - which couldn’t independently verify Russia’s story - the FSB says Russian pilots were being offered $3 million for the hijacking but pointing out a significant downside. The Russians warned any pilots who might be contemplating a flight West to consider that the jet(s) could have been shot down over Romania, essentially [...] 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


Cipher Brief CEO & Publisher Suzanne Kelly talks with two former directors of the National Security Agency and former Commanders of U.S. Cyber Command about the cyber threat from China, and just what they think Americans need to know. Retired General Tim Haugh – a new Cipher Brief Expert, spoke recently about the threat with 60 Minutes. He is now also working with investors and teaching at Yale University. And retired General Paul Nakasone is the founding director of the Institute for National Security at Vanderbilt University. Both men have a serious warning for America.

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.