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

Do Oil Sanctions Still Work?

What impact will the U.S. Administration's latest bold move have on Moscow? History says it’s complicated.

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

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The Open Source Report

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) greets US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (L) prior to their talks in Moscow on April 25, 2025.

Global Intelligence Report for Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Top US military officials are visiting Caribbean leaders

White House on the defensive following reports Witkoff coached Russians on how to pitch Trump

Iran losing control over Houthis as proxy has 'gone rogue,' officials say

Trump’s calls with Xi and Takaichi hint he won’t let Taiwan derail Beijing ties

Access Today’s Report

Expert Insights

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

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

Destroying Boats, Killing Crews, Escalating Risks: The Venezuela Gambit

Walter Pincus

OPINION — “Does the Coast Guard have legal authority to destroy a boat or to kill the crew with lethal force if there has not been a provocation?”That was Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.), last Wednesday, questioning Adm. Kevin E. [...] More

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News & Analysis

A file picture taken 12 July 2007 shows the headquarters (aka Lubianka) of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the former KGB in Moscow.

Russia’s Intelligence Services After the War

EXPERT PERSPECTIVE — Russia’s intelligence services (RIS) have failed spectacularly in Ukraine: in planning, execution, and analysis, yet they will [...] More

RussiaEuropeIntelligence

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

LAME ACCUSATION: A federal security-officer who was named in government and media reports as being a possible suspect in the case of pipe bombs that were placed outside DNC and RNC offices on January 5, 2021, has been cleared according to CBS News. Allegedly, a draft memo circulated within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), pointed to the woman as the bomber – in part because of analysis of her “gait.” She reportedly limps a bit, and someone thought her manner of walking matched that of the person who placed the bombs seen in surveillance video. But now, the FBI reportedly has ruled her out after [...] 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.