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

Echoes of 1940: Learning from an Ally at War and Preparing the U.S. for the Next Fight

As Ukraine fights a tech-driven war, America risks missing out by watching from afar

Echoes of 1940: Learning from an Ally at War and Preparing the U.S. for the Next Fight

EXPERT OPINION / PERSPECTIVE — Eighty-five years ago, as the United States cautiously explored an expanded alliance with Great Britain, our own [...] More

Tech/CyberEuropeUkraine
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The Open Source Report

<span>Global Intelligence Report for Thursday, December 11, 2025</span>

Global Intelligence Report for Thursday, December 11, 2025

U.S. seizes oil tanker off coast of Venezuela

Russia says there are no longer any misunderstandings with the U.S. over Ukraine

U.S. bombers join Japanese jets in show of force after China–Russia drills

Nvidia H200 exports to undergo new security review

Access Today’s Report

Expert Insights

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

Why an Unmanned Mission May be Most Effective in Venezuela

Joey Gagnard
Nils Alstad

OPINION — Wars are increasingly fought by unconventional means. A recent example is Ukrainian insertion of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to attack Russian airfields, launched from civilian outfitted trucks. The Israeli [...] More

AmericasJoey GagnardLatin America

Can Europe Survive the New Multipolar World?

Brigadier General Edin Fako

EXPERT PERSPECTIVE — For more than three decades after the Cold War, Europe lived under the illusion that history had settled in its favor. Liberal democracy seemed ascendant, global markets expanded without friction, and [...] More

Europe
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News & Analysis

Russia is Waging a Sabotage Shadow War on Europe

Russia is Waging a Sabotage Shadow War on Europe

DEEP DIVE — In the darkness of night on November 15, a massive explosion ripped through a stretch of the Warsaw-Lublin railway line close to Mika, [...] More

RussiaEurope

Opinion

America’s Antibiotic Weakness Is a National Security Blindspot

Barry C. Buckland

America’s Antibiotic Weakness Is a National Security Blindspot

OPINION – Offshoring and outsourcing antibiotic production to China and India is putting America’s access to lifesaving medicines at risk. It’s time [...] More

Tech/CyberAlternative Perspectives

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

History's Most Mistrusted Friendship
History's Most Mistrusted Friendship

Stealing Success: A Hard Look at China's Rise
Stealing Success: A Hard Look at China's Rise

The FBI’s Pursuit of Chi Mak and the Challenge of Modern Spycraft
The FBI’s Pursuit of Chi Mak and the Challenge of Modern Spycraft

dead dropdead drop

The Best National Security Gossip

FONTS OF WISDOM? Loyal readers of The Dead Drop with excellent memories will remember in our January 20, 2023 edition, under the memorable headline: “I Shot the Serif,” we relayed word that then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a cable throughout his department declaring that everyone should use Calibri font rather than Times New Roman for all documents headed to the Executive Secretariat. The reason given was that fonts like Times New Roman were harder for people with visual disabilities to read as compared to serif-less type types – like Calibri. Well, that was then. Blinken’s successor Marco Rubio has undone the [...] 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


Join Suzanne Kelly as she delves into the world of Russian intelligence with former CIA operations officer Sean Wiswesser. Discover the intricacies of Russian operations, the impact of propaganda, and the ongoing secret war led by Putin. Gain insights into the challenges faced by the Russian people and the global implications of state-sponsored actions. Don't miss this eye-opening episode of the State Secrets Podcast.

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.