The Cipher Brief

Middle East at the Brink: Norm Roule on Iran, Israel, and the High-Stakes Struggle Taking Shape

As a fragile ceasefire faces new strains, former National Intelligence Manager for Iran Norm Roule examines the competing military, economic, and diplomatic forces shaping the next phase of the Israel-Iran confrontation.

U.S. Continues Maritime Blockade In Strait Of Hormuz

As tensions between Israel and Iran continue to evolve following a weekend Iranian ballistic missile attack against Israel, policymakers and markets [...] More

The Open Source Report

Expert Insights

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

Qatar's New Online Influence Machine

Qatar's New Online Influence Machine

For years, Qatar has positioned itself in Washington as a trusted American partner: a host to major U.S. military assets, a mediator in hostage [...] More

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IS THAT A GIANT ZEBRA? Russia appears to be taking camouflage cues from World War I in an effort to hide some of the military equipment its using in Ukraine. Images circulating from the occupied Ukrainian territory show Russian KamAZ logistic vehicles covered with black-and-white camo stripes. They look like a giant zebra but experts say the paint schemes could alter the vehicle’s visual signature, making it more difficult to identify by automated systems. The camouflage was originally designed in the First World War to distort a naval vessel’s outline. Russia has used similar tactics before by placing tires on aircraft [...] More

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State Secrets

America's national security challenges are evolving faster than ever—and the traditional defense innovation system is struggling to keep pace.

In this episode of State Secrets, Cipher Brief CEO Suzanne Kelly sits down with two of the most influential voices in defense innovation: Steve Blank, creator of the Lean Startup methodology and co-founder of Hacking for Defense, and Pete Newell, retired Army officer, founder of BMNT, and co-founder of Hacking for Defense.

Together, they discuss how students at leading universities are tackling real-world challenges from the Pentagon, intelligence community, and NASA; why AI is changing the way innovators build solutions; and what it will take for the United States to compete with increasingly adaptive adversaries like China.

The conversation explores defense acquisition reform, the Pentagon's innovation ecosystem, startup culture in national security, the rise of defense venture capital, and why the biggest challenge may not be technology—but people.