KREMLIN FILES/COLUMN: The war in Ukraine is often framed by optimistic academics, and some policymakers as a cautionary tale—an example of how [...] More

15 April, 2026

Sean Wiswesser

15 April, 2026

Ryan Simons

Middle East Iran

The Open Source Report

Global Intelligence Report for Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Vance set to depart for Pakistan as Washington and Tehran plan new talks

War in Iran is causing biggest energy crisis in history, IEA says

Japan scraps ban on lethal arms exports for first time since WWII

China warns EU against proposed regulations impacting Chinese telecom firms

Access Today’s Report

Expert Insights

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

The Costly Illusion of the Golden Dome

OPINION — “The Golden Dome for America strategy [President Trump’s proposed nationwide anti-missile defense system] remains centered on affordable and scalable capabilities. In the short-term, we will leverage [...] More

21 April, 2026

Walter Pincus

21 April, 2026

Ryan Simons

Americas Fine Print North America United States Walter Pincus

Trump, Iran, and the Stress Test of Western Alliances

OPINION – The war with Iran has grown beyond just a regional war; it is also a preliminary test of the cohesion of Western alliances under President Donald Trump. Deep root causes concerning burden-sharing, strategic [...] More

20 April, 2026

Sami Omari

20 April, 2026

Ryan Simons

Alternative Perspectives Iran Middle East

News & Analysis

Is the U.S. lagging when it comes to drone warfare superiority?

When Iranian Shahed drones began tearing through the Gulf in the opening hours of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, killing American service [...] More

13 April, 2026

Hollie McKay

13 April, 2026

Ryan Simons

Tech/Cyber

U.S. Intel’s Sobering Assessment of Iran’s War Resilience

Six weeks into Operation Epic Fury, with airstrikes having killed a sitting supreme leader, wiped out scores of top military and intelligence [...] More

07 April, 2026

Hollie McKay

07 April, 2026

Ryan Simons

U.S. Intel’s Sobering Assessment of Iran’s War Resilience

Six weeks into Operation Epic Fury, with airstrikes having killed a sitting supreme leader, wiped out scores of top military and intelligence [...] More

07 April, 2026

Hollie McKay

07 April, 2026

Ryan Simons

Middle East Iran

Can the U.S. Win the Critical Minerals Competition?

What U.S. national security interest binds Greenland, Argentina, the Congo, and the Cook Islands? What was the impetus for the recent “strategic [...] More

02 April, 2026

Tom Nagorski

02 April, 2026

Ryan Simons

What U.S. national security interest binds Greenland, Argentina, the Congo, and the Cook Islands? What was the impetus for the recent “strategic [...] More

02 April, 2026

Tom Nagorski

02 April, 2026

Ryan Simons

United States Americas North America

The Chalk Mark Still Matters: Russian Espionage Handling in the Modern Era

KREMLIN FILES: A brush of a hand against a park bench with chalk; or, a piece of electrical tape left on a mailbox. Sometimes it’s a coded phrase [...] More

31 March, 2026

Sean Wiswesser

31 March, 2026

Ryan Simons

KREMLIN FILES: A brush of a hand against a park bench with chalk; or, a piece of electrical tape left on a mailbox. Sometimes it’s a coded phrase [...] More

31 March, 2026

Sean Wiswesser

31 March, 2026

Ryan Simons

Opinion

Listen Now

What’s on The Cipher Brief’s Digital Channel

Petraeus on Iran Endgame & Ukraine’s Drone War: What the Future of Conflict Looks Like

Former 5th Fleet Commander Explains the Iran Crisis in the Strait of Hormuz

Inside the Strait of Hormuz Crisis: U.S. Blockade, Iran’s Next Move & Global Oil Shock

Inside the New Battlespace: CIA Veteran Glenn Corn on Ukraine, Iran, and the War Already Underway

Book Reviews

Allies In War, Partners In Peace

Putin's Dangerous, Corrupt, and Often Incompetent Spies

Finally, a Taiwan Strategy That Goes Beyond "Do Something"

The Best National Security Gossip

EX-BRAZILIAN SPY CHIEF EX-DETAINEE: Just as the Dead Drop was reporting last week that fugitive former Brazilian intelligence chief Alexandre Ramagem had been nabbed by ICE agents in Orlando, he was apparently already on his way out the door. BBC reported on April 16 that Ramagem was quietly released from custody. ICE originally confirmed the detention but as far as we know has offered no explanation for either the arrest or the release. Bolsonaro's son Eduardo, a U.S. resident, announced the news on social media, thanking President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for "the sensitivity with which they dealt with [...] More

Get The Drop

Events

Live Events

2026 Threat Conference

The Cipher Brief Threat Conference is the nation’s premier forum for non-partisan discussion of global threats and solutions as well as high-level [...] More

Upcoming: 25 October, 2026

Exclusive Virtual Events

CIG's Pick: 2026 Asness Summit

Upcoming: 23 April, 2026

NATO is Moving Closer to 'Gloves Off' in the Gray Zone

NATO Goes 'Gloves Off'

Subscriber+ Exclusive Virtual Event

Chip Usher

08 April, 2026

Ryan Simons

Podcasts

State Secrets

In this episode of State Secrets, former CIA Senior Operations Officer Sean Wiswesser examines the evolution of Russian intelligence - from Soviet-era tradecraft to modern hybrid warfare. He unpacks Moscow’s strategic mindset, its transactional relationships with partners like Iran, and its enduring focus on weakening democratic systems. With insights drawn from decades in the field, Wiswesser explains what most people misunderstand about Russia - and why that matters now more than ever.

What the Experts Say

“I am struck by how comprehensive and thoughtful The Cipher Brief’s Open Source Report is. It is just as good as the President’s Daily Brief, having spent a decade reading the PDB. And it’s unclassified, too! I'm proud to be part of the network of experts at The Cipher Brief, which provides superb geopolitical advice and intelligence insights.”

Admiral James Stavridis (Ret.)

“The Cipher Brief Threat Conference is the nation’s premier gathering of current and former intelligence and security experts. If you want to know what’s really going on—or hear some spirited debate about what’s about to happen—in our complex world, this is the place to be!"

Admiral Sandy Winnefeld (Ret.), Former Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Cipher Brief has become the preeminent information platform for the national security community. I read it, I contribute to it, and I recommend it to military, civilian, and industry partners seeking the most up-to-date and expert analysis of the major issues facing the government, business, and others committed to the security of the nation.

Lieutenant General (Ret.) Guy C. Swann III

"The Cipher Brief is my daily 'must read' for insightful coverage and analysis of national security events. I find the Open Source Report to be a key tool in assessing global geopolitical risk, and illuminating national security challenges in just the right amount of depth. It's the perfect balance. I can read it quickly, but step away feeling I have a solid grasp of the issues and implications. Thanks to the brilliant Cipher Brief Team! "