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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?

The National Guard In Mexico Conducts An Operation Following The Death Of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, "El Mencho," Leader Of The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, At The Hands Of Federal Forces

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

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The Open Source Report

Security measures in Jalisco, Mexico amid volatile situation

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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Expert Insights

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

Revisionist History – Aliens, Secrets and Conspiracies

Steve Blank

OPINION – Over a decade ago, I was a public official and was at one of our commission meetings on the coast of California. A fellow commissioner and I decided to take a long lunchtime walk along the coast. As we chatted, [...] More

Why Russia’s War Effort Signals Strategic Decline

Walter Pincus

OPINION — “Despite claims of battlefield momentum in Ukraine, the data shows that Russia is paying an extraordinary price for minimal gains and is in decline as a major power. Since February 2022, Russian forces have [...] More

News & Analysis

Tracing the Evolution of Russian Hybrid Warfare

Tracing the Evolution of Russian Hybrid Warfare

KREMLIN FILES/ANALYSIS: Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 did not emerge from a strategic vacuum. It was the culmination of [...] More

Opinion

The Cognitive Battlefield is Now Decisive Terrain

OPINION -- Senior policymakers, military leaders, technologists and narrative strategists had one thing on their minds as they gathered in a Reston [...] More

What’s on The Cipher Brief’s Digital Channel

Book Reviews

SUIT YOURSELF: Effective public messaging requires tailoring, just like if you’re buying a good suit. Funny enough, CNN is reporting that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has approved a plan to purchase two taxpayer-funded suits for newly members of the Secret Service protective detail. The orders come complete with fabric requirements and interior name embroidery. The official rationale: plain clothes agents have historically purchased their own professional attire, while the uniformed division were issued outfits and this is just a measure of equity. The rumor mill, however, says that Noem didn’t like 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

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.