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

After Maduro’s Removal, the U.S. Faces Its Hardest Test Yet in Venezuela

Former CIA station chief David Fitzgerald talks to The Cipher Brief about the risks of “running” Venezuela

After Maduro’s Removal, the U.S. Faces Its Hardest Test Yet in Venezuela

THE WEEKEND INTERVIEW — As Venezuela faces a moment of profound uncertainty following a dramatic U.S. operation that removed longtime strongman [...] More

AmericasLatin America
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The Open Source Report

US President Donald Trump (R) arrives to address the nation, alongside US Vice President JD Vance (L), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C) and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (2nd R), from the White House in Washington, DC on June 21, 2025, following the announcement that the US bombed nuclear sites in Iran.

Global Intelligence Report for Monday, January 12, 2026

U.S. Steps Up Planning for Possible Action in Iran

U.S. Launches Major Strikes on Islamic State Targets in Syria

Winter pierces Kyiv homes after Russia knocks out heat

Global AI Race Shows Asia Leading as Stocks Start 2026 With Bang

Access Today’s Report

Expert Insights

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

Agentic AI and the “Human-in-the-Loop” Luxury in Modern Defense

Joey Gagnard

THE IRON TRIANGLE — Welcome to the inaugural edition of “The Iron Triangle”, my new Cipher Brief column that serves the three pillars of modern defense: Procurement Officers tasked with buying the future, Investors who [...] More

Joey GagnardTech/Cyber

Iran’s Supreme Leader Should Listen to the People

Ambassador Joseph DeTrani

EXPERT OPINION — The Iranian people are saying they want new leadership. And it’s not too hard to understand why so many merchants, university students and young people in Iran are on the streets calling for political [...] More

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News & Analysis

The Kremlin Files: Russia, the Modern Surveillance State

The Kremlin Files: Russia, the Modern Surveillance State

THE KREMLIN FILES / COLUMN — Ask any Russian intelligence officer about “naruzhka,” and you’ll see them nod knowingly. It’s the term for physical, [...] More

RussiaEuropeIntelligence

Opinion

Building U.S. Drone Dominance Brick by Brick

Phil Waymon, Master Sergeant (Ret.)

Building U.S. Drone Dominance Brick by Brick

OPINION — One of the things I loved about LEGO as a child was the ability to mix and match an endless amount of parts to create unique builds. [...] More

Alternative PerspectivesTech/Cybermilitary

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

The Spy Who Came in Because He Wanted a Divorce
The Spy Who Came in Because He Wanted a Divorce

Cold War, Hot Zone: Inside the New Arctic Rivalry
Cold War, Hot Zone: Inside the New Arctic Rivalry

The Global Shadow War Behind the Cold War
The Global Shadow War Behind the Cold War

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The Best National Security Gossip

G7 GETS SHOVED TO THE CANVAS FOR WHITE HOUSE UFC NIGHT – In one of the era’s odder foreign-policy footnotes, France has quietly moved the 2026 Group of 7 summit back a day in the middle of June - so that the meeting of senior international leaders doesn’t butt heads with a White House-hosted Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event scheduled for June 14. June 14 also happens to be U.S. Flag Day and President Trump’s 80th birthday. The UFC showdown - a mixed martial arts spectacle usually confined to arenas - will set up an octagon on the White House’s South Lawn with room for about 5,000 spectators and with an overflow [...] 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

Cipher Brief CEO & Publisher Suzanne Kelly sits down with Executive Producer Sebastian Junger to talk about the Netflix documentary ‘Marines’ and whether today’s fighting force is the one we need in today’s threat environment.

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.