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

Report for Friday, June 20, 2025

  • Trump Buys Himself Time, and Opens Up Some New Options

  • U.S. Spy Agencies Assess Iran Remains Undecided on Building a Bomb

  • Israel strikes unfinished Arak heavy water reactor in Iran

  • Washington has had it with Andriy Yermak

  • Space Force is contracting with SpaceX for new, secretive MILNET SATCOM network
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How Resilient is the Energy Market in Midst of Middle East Crisis?

The answer may surprise you, according to energy expert Norm Roule

How Resilient is the Energy Market in Midst of Middle East Crisis?
EXCLUSIVE EXPERT PERSPECTIVE -- One would have thought that the outbreak of a major war between Iran and Israel with daily missile salvos, would have [...] More

The Experts

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

The Next War Won’t Target Cities, It Will Target Choke Points.

Dr. Dave Venable
OPINION — In the age of strategic disruption, critical infrastructure is both the terrain and the target. The West’s optimization of systems for [...] More

The Rampant Leadership Corruption Plaguing China and Russia

Ambassador Joseph DeTrani
OPINION — In March 2025 the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) published an unclassified report on “Wealth and Corrupt Activities [...] More

News & Analysis

What Would It Take to End the Regime in Iran?

What Would it Take to End the Regime in Iran?

CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING – As U.S. President Donald Trump demands Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and hints that Iran’s Supreme Leader could also be [...] More

Opinion

Why Iran’s Nuclear Program Cannot Be Dismantled from the Air

OPINION — As Israel launches one of the most expansive covert-kinetic operations in recent memory against Iranian nuclear infrastructure, a critical [...] More

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Book Reviews

IT ONLY TOOK 116 YEARS: The British Secret Intelligence Service better known as MI6 will soon be headed by its first-ever female chief when Blaise Metreweli, who now runs the technology and innovation division, takes over for Sir Richard Moore later this year. For those who know more about MI6 from James Bond movies that from real life, it’s interesting to note (as the BBC did) that the chief is commonly referred to as “C” – but the “C” doesn’t stand for chief as one might think. According to the BBC, “Britain's very first spy agency was called the Secret Service Bureau, established in the 1900s. It was led by a Royal [...] More

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Threat Conference

Threat Conference

Cipher Brief sessions are expertly crafted and focused on ways the public and private sectors can most efficiently work together to address key [...] More

Upcoming: 19 October, 2025

Podcasts

State Secrets


Rare Earth minerals might not be at the top of your panic list today but when it comes to U.S. national security, it’s an issue that has the potential to have the greatest impact on both our way of life and our future security. It was on the agenda at the recent G7 meeting where world leaders agreed to prioritize a joint strategy to protect critical mineral supply chains. But is it too little, too late? Tech executive and investor John Watters saw the signs of potential catastrophe years ago and is hitting the panic button with lawmakers and business leaders about just what’s at stake.

Cover Stories: Spies, Books & Entertainment

Former CIA Officer Rodney Faraon served in some pretty fascinating roles at CIA – including as a daily briefer to former director George Tenet and as Chief of the unit that dealt with Chinese and Taiwanese relations. Since retiring, he’s kept his analytic hat on as a Partner at Crumpton Global but he also took a turn toward Hollywood and did what many who have come from the Agency – have yet to do – launch a show for television. In this episode of the Cover Stories podcast, Rodney spills the secrets on how he adopted his CIA skills to help him survive in Hollywood.