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

Can High-Tech “Sensor Fusion” Revolutionize Biosurveillance?

Some experts believe they have a way to fight bioterrorism – and the next pandemic.

Hicksville, N.Y.: A Long Island Rail Road employee disinfects a train car with an eco-friendly cleaner while at the Hicksville, New York LIRR station on March 19, 2020.

DEEP DIVE – It’s the opening act in a potential public health nightmare: a chicken dies on a farm, for no apparent reason; another perishes at a farm [...] More

Tech/Cyber
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The Open Source Report

POKROVSK, UKRAINE - OCTOBER 7: A general aerial view shows the destroyed city covered in morning fog, following months of intense fighting near the front line, on October 7, 2025 in Pokrovsk, Ukraine.

Global Intelligence Report for Friday, November 7, 2025

Russian Forces in Ukraine Near First Major Conquest in More Than Two Years

Israel Launches Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon After Issuing Evacuation Orders

China’s Third carrier, the Fujian enters service

U.S. Congressional Budget Office Confirms Hack

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Expert Insights

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

America’s Next National Security Crisis: A War on Its Own Energy Base

Vice Admiral Robert Harward (Ret.)

OPINION — Every mission begins with trust. In World War II, the U.S. government trusted private energy producers to deliver aviation gasoline at record scale, and those companies trusted Washington to stand behind them. [...] More

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Trump’s Trip Was a True “Pivot” to East Asia

Ambassador Joseph DeTrani

OPINION — President Trump’s meetings in East Asia last week did more to enhance our relationship with a few allies and partners in the region than the past fifteen years of talking about a “pivot to Asia”.Yes, showing the [...] More

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News & Analysis

A New Frontline: How Digital Identity Fraud Redefines National Security Threats

A New Frontline: How Digital Identity Fraud Redefines National Security Threats

DEEP DIVE — From stolen military credentials to AI-generated personas seamlessly breaching critical infrastructure, digital identity fraud is rapidly [...] More

Tech/Cyber

Opinion

Why Are There No U.S. Offensive Cyber Unicorns?

Bryan Ware

Why Are There No U.S. Offensive Cyber Unicorns?

OPINION -- I recently had a conversation with senior intelligence community leaders about their desire to build stronger partnerships with [...] 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

Realism and Rivals: McCloskey’s The Persian Rings True
Realism and Rivals: McCloskey’s The Persian Rings True

Behind the Mask: The Politics of Hidden Intervention
Behind the Mask: The Politics of Hidden Intervention

Courage and Betrayal in the Heart of Hitler's Germany
Courage and Betrayal in the Heart of Hitler's Germany

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The Best National Security Gossip

RECKLESS PEACEMAKER: MILEAGE MAY VARY – The Institute for Global Affairs — a think tank that measures global risk and public mood — just dropped a survey that gives a snapshot of what Americans think the President’s foreign policy. In the survey, voters gave Trump high marks only when the targets are drug lords, not diplomats. The IGA poll shows a rare +7 percent approval on fighting narco-traffickers, but a nosedive on just about everything else: relations with allies (-23 percent), nuclear risk (-21 percent), and America’s global reputation (-22 percent). Note: the survey was conducted October 6-14 before 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

Shawn Chenoweth has one of the most fascinating titles in government, Director of Cognitive Advantage at the National Security Council. Sean explains the concept of cognitive advantage, the challenges of measuring success, and talks about the 'Kill Web' concept, which highlights the interconnectedness of information and cognitive processes in modern warfare.

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.