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The Cipher Brief: National Security news, analysis and expert commentary.
Killing Mencho
Did the U.S. Supercharge the Hunt for Mexico’s Kingpin of Kingpins?
CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING — Exactly who tracked El Mencho, the world’s most wanted and feared drug lord, to a heavily armed safe house in a remote [...] More
Global Intelligence Report for Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Authorities say romantic liaison led to Mexican cartel leader's death, as Sheinbaum seeks to restore calm
Zelensky accuses Putin of ‘playing’ with Trump and the world
Pentagon cautions risks in potential U.S. strike on Iran as Gen. Caine warns of U.S. casualties
U.S. unveils new details on alleged Chinese nuclear test, urges renewed disarmament talks
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Events
Live Events
The Cipher Brief 2026 HONORS Awards
Upcoming: 13 March, 2026
Popular
Building the Talent Pipeline for America’s Security Future
Defending the Homeland: Pentagon Shifts Strategy on Drone Threats
Alliances, Ukraine, and China’s Growing Challenge
Ambassador Kurt Volker joins us from the Munich Security Conference
Podcasts
State Secrets
Sir Richard Moore gets serious with the State Secrets podcast about the impact that intelligence alliances will have on future security, shares what he knows about China and Russia, lays out the ways in which AI and other technologies will impact the intelligence mission and oh yeah, aliens. We actually asked him about that. Find out what he had to say in this episode of the State Secrets podcast - recorded just as he prepares to accept this year’s Cipher Brief HONORS Award for Impact in Alliance.
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.
What the Experts Say
The Cipher Brief’s Annual Threat Conference is a unique event where you can have deep and meaningful interactions with the top current and former leaders and thinkers from the intelligence communities of the United States and our allies. Held at the stunnning Sea Island resort, it is a must-go event for learning, debating, and interfacing with some of the world’s foremost national security thought-leaders.
Innovation requires us to be open and non-specific for as long as we possibly can to open up the aperture for the possibility of innovating.
There is no other location that brings together so many voices.
You'll find those in leadership positions across government and industry, really wanting to sit down at the table and have hard conversations that you just don't have anywhere else.
For general inquiries please email info@thecipherbrief.com






























