The Cipher Brief

DNI Day One: Three Strategic Decisions for National Security Evolution

The next DNI will inherit an intelligence enterprise confronting AI-driven disruption, strategic competition, and mounting resource pressures.

Authors’ Note:This paper is intended to frame a discussion, not settle one.Too often, debates about intelligence reform begin with organizational [...] More

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Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

Why Human Intelligence Matters More in an AI World

Why Human Intelligence Matters More in an AI World

An impending casualty of artificial intelligence, we are told, is the human spy. The conventional wisdom is that in our AI future, there’s little [...] More

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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A NEW (ACTING) DNI – There is a new (acting) sheriff in town at Liberty Crossing with federal housing czar Bill Pulte picking up additional duties as Acting DNI after the outgoing DNI Tulsi Gabbard ended her stint earlier than expected last week. So what has the new boss been up to? Well, for one thing he has created an X account with the @DNIPulte. (No “acting” – probably just an oversight). When last we checked, @DNIPulte had three posts up – two of which were heroic images of President Trump. Beyond that – we’re not sure if he has started to carry out his reported threat to fire hundreds of DNI [...] More

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State Secrets

In today’s episode of the State Secrets Podcast, we explore how shows like *For All Mankind* not only entertain but also provoke thought about the future of space exploration and international relations.

Ronald Moore, the genius behind the show, shares how he imagined an alternate history where the Russians landed on the moon first, changing everything. This creative perspective challenges us to think about what could have been if history had taken a different path.

General Tim Hawk emphasizes the real implications of these narratives, blending Hollywood storytelling with genuine national security concerns. It’s a reminder that the stories we tell can shape our understanding of the world.

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