Latest Stories
Welcome! Log in to stay connected and make the most of your experience.
Your membership has expired. Renew now to continue enjoying exclusive benefits and uninterrupted access.
Couldn’t find an account with that email address, please sign up.
The Cipher Brief: National Security news, analysis and expert commentary.
We've Seen Autonomous Warfare and We're in Trouble
An argument for why America must rethink everything to remain competitive
Editor’s note- Russia's war in Ukraine has fundamentally changed the character of warfare, proving that autonomous and attritable drones are no [...] More
Global Intelligence Report for Monday, July 27, 2026
Iran says it will halt strikes as long as U.S. bombing pause holds
Iranian threat to Air Force One prompted plane swap during NATO summit
Zelensky accuses Russia of assisting Iran with satellite imagery of U.S. bases in Middle East
OpenAI failed to notice its rogue AI agent hacking another firm for a week, sources say
Access Today’s ReportPopular
The Hidden National Security Risk in Smart Cities
The Pentagon Built a Faster Engine, Nobody Built the Steering
Podcasts
State Secrets
Speaking on the NATO summit in Ankara, Nick Fishwick assesses the alliance’s most urgent challenges, from Europe’s push to increase defense spending to the need for greater intelligence sharing and military interoperability. He explains why a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine remains unlikely, what NATO is learning from Ukraine’s battlefield innovation, and why Russia continues to represent the alliance’s principal security threat. Fishwick also discusses the diminishing focus on Greenland as the war with Iran reshapes U.S. priorities.
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.)
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! "
Lt. Gen. Michael Groen (Ret.)
The Cipher Brief’s Open Source Report is an extraordinary product and an important daily read for situational awareness on national security issues.
General John R. Allen (Ret.)
For general inquiries please email info@thecipherbrief.com














