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

What Iran Is Learning from Russia’s War and Why the U.S. Should Be Concerned

Rather than deterring Tehran, Moscow’s wartime adaptation could be shaping a more capable and durable Iranian regime.

Iranian president meets with Putin, discusses ways to boost cooperation in all sectors

KREMLIN FILES/COLUMN: The war in Ukraine is often framed by optimistic academics, and some policymakers as a cautionary tale—an example of how [...] More

Middle EastIran
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The Open Source Report

ARLINGTON, UNITED STATES - 2025/01/27: The Pentagon is seen from above. The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, is the U.S. Department of Defense headquarters and one of the world's largest office buildings. Built during World War II, it symbolizes U.S. military power. Despite its vast size, its layout allows travel between points in under 10 minutes, and it houses a memorial for 9/11 victims. (Photo by Jen Golbeck/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Global Intelligence Report for Thursday, April 16, 2026

U.S. Prepares Expanded Economic Warfare Campaign Against Iran

Pentagon Approaches Automakers, Manufacturers to Boost Weapons Production

Russian Strikes Kill at Least 15 in Biggest Barrage on Ukrainian Cities in Months

China Sharpens Retaliatory Tools Against U.S. Ahead of Trump Summit


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Expert Insights

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

Avoiding Another 9/11: 3 Key Reasons to Reauthorize Section 702

General Paul Nakasone (Ret.)

Editor's Note: Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was originally enacted as a post 9/11surveillance program that allows the government to collect electronic communications of foreign nationals [...] More

The Navy is changing the way it does business and its still pretty pricey

Walter Pincus

OPINION -- "After a rigorous, data-driven analysis, we've made the tough but necessary decision to inactivate the USS Boise. This strategic move allows us to reallocate America’s highly-skilled workforce to our highest [...] More

Walter Pincus
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News & Analysis

Drones Spotted Being Used Illegally

Is the U.S. lagging when it comes to drone warfare superiority?

When Iranian Shahed drones began tearing through the Gulf in the opening hours of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, killing American service [...] More

Tech/Cyber

Opinion

Copy of Trump’s Cyber Strategy Is a Strong Playbook, but It’s All in the Execution

Zachary Shaw

Copy of Trump’s Cyber Strategy Is a Strong Playbook, but It’s All in the Execution

OPINION — The White House is making a significant effort toward putting the nation’s cyber house in order. A newly released National Cyber Strategy [...] More

CyberAlternative Perspectives

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Book Reviews

Allies In War, Partners In Peace
Allies In War, Partners In Peace

Putin's Dangerous, Corrupt, and Often Incompetent Spies
Putin's Dangerous, Corrupt, and Often Incompetent Spies

Finally, a Taiwan Strategy That Goes Beyond "Do Something"
Finally, a Taiwan Strategy That Goes Beyond "Do Something"

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The Best National Security Gossip

TOUGH SPELL FOR THE PENTAGON: On Friday, the Pentagon’s “Rapid Response” social media shop posted a slick highlight sizzle reel to tout what the Department accomplished during the week. Eagle-eyed viewers noticed the chyron identifying the Assistant Press Secretary Riley Podleski rendered her title as "SECRATARY." When last we checked, it hadn’t been fixed – but hey, there’s a war on, you know? Maybe they got rid of their spell-checker when they banned Anthropic.SECRET DIS-SERVICE: It has been alleged that a Secret Service agent-in-training for some reason decided to hone his surveillance skills by hiding a spy camera in [...] 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

Podcasts

State Secrets


In this episode of State Secrets, former CIA Senior Operations Officer Sean Wiswesser examines the evolution of Russian intelligence - from Soviet-era tradecraft to modern hybrid warfare. He unpacks Moscow’s strategic mindset, its transactional relationships with partners like Iran, and its enduring focus on weakening democratic systems. With insights drawn from decades in the field, Wiswesser explains what most people misunderstand about Russia - and why that matters now more than ever.