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

The Continued Myth of Russia’s Imminent Collapse: Lessons from Prigozhin’s Mutiny Three Years On

As speculation about Vladimir Putin’s downfall grows again, lessons of Prigozhin’s rebellion remain widely misunderstood.

TOPSHOT-RUSSIA-UKRAINE-CONFLICT-WAGNER

KREMLIN FILES/COLUMN: Three years ago, in June 2023, the Kremlin confronted one of the most dramatic internal crises of Vladimir Putin's [...] More

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The Open Source Report

UAE-IRAN-US-ISRAEL-WAR This picture shows ships sailing near the Strait of Hormuz off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates at Khor Fakkan on July 13, 2026. The United States is "taking over" the Strait of Hormuz and will be paid for protecting it, US President Donald Trump declared on July 13, as Washington and Tehran once again fought over the vital waterway. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) /

Global Intelligence Report for Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Trump says clashes with Iran have resumed, orders blockade and tolls for Strait of Hormuz

Saudi crown prince received U.S. backing for risky strikes on Yemen’s Houthis

Senate looks to honor Graham with Russia sanctions

How Putin has gone from Xi’s role model to a junior partner

Access Today’s Report

Expert Insights

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

Opinion

Washington’s Spy Ring and Paine’s Democracy

Emily Harding

Agent 711 was one of the most effective and least known spies in our nation's history. He used dead drops to communicate about enemy plans. He used secret chemical processes to create new forms of invisible ink. He spread [...] More

Emily Harding
Opinion

Inside the $87.6 Billion Iran War Supplemental

Walter Pincus

“In addition to supporting OEF (Operation Epic Fury, the Iran War) costs incurred by DOW (Department of War), the [$87.6 billion Fiscal Year FY 2026 Supplemental Trump administration] request provides $768 million to the [...] More

Walter Pincus Fine Print
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News & Analysis

U.S. Military Launches Operation Epic Fury Attacking Iran

Endless Warfare – Part II: Countering Endless Warfare and its Networks

Author’s Note: This article is not about ‘endless wars’ as a critique of U.S. military interventions — that debate belongs elsewhere. It examines a [...] More

United States Americas Dave Pitts North America

Opinion

Trump’s Dangerous Bet on Pakistan’s Army Chief

Siddhant Kishore

Trump’s Dangerous Bet on Pakistan’s Army Chief

In the dusty streets of Rawalakot in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir this June, security forces opened fire on demonstrators demanding basic rights and an [...] More

Alternative Perspectives

What’s on The Cipher Brief’s Digital Channel

Book Reviews

Silva's Ransom Pays Off
Silva's Ransom Pays Off

Cole's Digital Danger Is A Useful Guide For The Wrong Audience
Cole's Digital Danger Is A Useful Guide For The Wrong Audience

The Nord Stream Sabotage: Mystery Attacks Explained
The Nord Stream Sabotage: Mystery Attacks Explained

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The Best National Security Gossip

SCOLESE HAS LEFT THE BUILDING – After seven years and the second-longest tenure of any National Reconnaissance Office leader, The Hon. Christopher Scolese has left the building. For those looking to score big on trivia night, the NRO is the U.S. Intelligence agency that is responsible for designing, building, launching and operating the nation’s reconnaissance satellites. For bonus points: name its main mission. (Hint: to collect intelligence from space and provide it to organizations like the CIA, NSA, DoD and other three-letter agencies.) Scolese served as the 19th director and was the first to be presidentially [...] More

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Events

Live Events

2026 Threat Conference

2026 Threat Conference

The Cipher Brief Threat Conference is the nation’s premier forum for non-partisan discussion of global threats and solutions as well as high-level [...] More

Upcoming: 25 October, 2026

The Cipher Brief 2027 HONORS Awards

The Cipher Brief 2027 HONORS Awards

Join us for the third annual Cipher Brief Honors Dinner, the evening of April 9, 2027. This Black-Tie event is invite-only. Please apply here for a [...] More

Upcoming: 09 April, 2027

Podcasts

State Secrets

The battlefield is changing faster than most governments can adapt.

In this episode of State Secrets, Cipher Brief CEO Suzanne Kelly sits down with retired General Phil Breedlove, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, to examine how drones, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems are transforming modern warfare—and what that means for U.S. national security.

Drawing on lessons from Ukraine, the Middle East and NATO's eastern flank, General Breedlove explains why drones are only one piece of a much larger revolution in military power. He discusses why America must rethink defense acquisition, how adversaries are exploiting gray zone warfare, why protecting critical infrastructure is becoming increasingly difficult, and why the West can no longer afford to fight tomorrow's wars with yesterday's assumptions.

From the future of air superiority to cyber conflict, autonomous weapons and the growing threat to the homeland, this is a conversation about the wars of the future—and whether the United States is prepared for them.