The Cipher Brief

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Spy Versus Spy: Iran’s Playbook for Espionage in Israel

Spy Versus Spy: Iran’s Playbook for Espionage in Israel

OPINION — Israel’s intelligence penetration of Iran played out in dramatic form over the course of the 12-day war this summer, but Iran is running an [...] More

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VENICE BRINGS THE DYNAMITE – Spies tell us that Oscar-winning Hollywood director Kathryn Bigelow is on her way to the Venice International Film Festival to premiere her new upcoming movie on Netflix, A House of Dynamite. Anticipation is high after Bigelow’s earlier projects including The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty. The setup this time? Picture the White House in full freak-out mode as missiles head for U.S. soil. Cue the power players: Played by Rebecca Ferguson, Idris Elba, Jared Harris, Greta Lee, Jason Clarke, plus a few others who look great yelling over maps. Noah Oppenheim (yes, the ex–NBC News guy turned [...] More

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In a recent opinion piece published in The Cipher Brief, former senior CIA Executive Mark Kelton suggests that the country’s leading intelligence organization has a trust problem both with policy makers and the public. One component of that problem that Kelton argues poses an existential threat to the Agency, is leakers. Cipher Brief CEO & Publisher Suzanne Kelly talks with Kelton – who oversaw the CIA’s response to the devastating intelligence leaks made by Edward Snowden – about why he believes the future effectiveness of the Agency depends on restoring trust.

Cover Stories: Spies, Books & Entertainment

Ambassador Joe DeTrani’s The North Korean Threat: Intelligence and Diplomacy — A Personal Memoir is a candid insider’s account of more than three decades navigating the perilous world of U.S.–North Korea relations. We’ll talk with him about some of his experiences as a CIA officer, senior U.S. negotiator, and Special Envoy for the Six-Party Talks. In his book, which is available for free at this site, DeTrani blends gripping personal stories with sharp analysis of nuclear diplomacy, intelligence challenges, and the delicate regional dynamics that shaped negotiations. The memoir offers rare insights into the mindset of Pyongyang’s leadership and the enduring importance of vigilance, credible intelligence, and sustained dialogue.