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

Report for Monday, June 16, 2025

  • Iranian missiles hit Tel Aviv as Israel targets Iranian command centers as conflict expands

  • Israel Takes Control of Iran’s Skies—a Feat That Still Eludes Russia in Ukraine

  • Russia’s Summer Offensive in Ukraine Gains Ground With New Tactics

  • Nations Head to G-7 Hoping to Reach Trade Deals With Trump

  • US-China trade truce leaves military-use rare earth issue unresolved, sources say
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The Attack that Knocked Back Iran’s Nuclear Program

The first in a series of expert interviews about what happens next

The Attack that Knocked Back Iran’s Nuclear Program
EXPERT INTERVIEW — Israeli airstrikes against targets associated with Iran’s nuclear program early Friday have seemingly dealt a devastating blow as [...] More

The Experts

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

What’s Happening in L.A. May Not Stay in L.A.

Walter Pincus
OPINION / COLUMN -- “At this early stage of the proceedings, the Court [for the Northern District of California] must determine whether the President [...] More

South Korea’s New President

Ambassador Joseph DeTrani
OPINION — On June 3rd South Korea turned the page and is embarked on a journey of peace and prosperity. Lee Jae-Myung handily won the presidential [...] More

News & Analysis

How Long Can Ukraine Fight?

How Long Can Ukraine Fight?

DEEP DIVE – As ceasefire talks falter, U.S. support wanes, and Russia opens a new military offensive, Ukraine faces critical questions about how it [...] More

Opinion

The Houthi Balancing Act After Israel’s Attack on Iran

OPINION — How will the Houthis respond to the devastating Israeli strikes on Iran? This moment could prove decisive for both the Iran-led axis and [...] More

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Book Reviews

SHOULD GREENLAND AND PANAMA BE (EVEN MORE) NERVOUS: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was engaged in a war of words this week with lawmakers during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday that focused on the Secretary’s use of Signal to discuss an ongoing military operation earlier this year. While an Inspector General report is expected on this matter, it was another topic that lawmakers asked about that likely had some folks in Greenland and Panama on edge. When asked about whether the Pentagon has contingency plans to take Greenland and Panama by force ‘if necessary’, the Secretary didn’t say yes, but he [...] 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



Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022,Ukrainians have used every resource available to fight back. From aid packages and weapons systems acquired from western allies to mobilizing every sector of society to bring innovation to the fight, Ukraine has stayed alive largely because of its adaptations of technology and its ingenuity on the battlefield. As part of a special delegation that visited Kyiv last month – led by former CIA Director General David Petraeus, The Cipher Brief met senior Chief Warrant Officer Joey Gagnard, who retired from the U.S. Special Operations Community earlier this year. As part of that delegation, Gagnard’s unique take on where Ukraine is today when it comes to its use and development of war technologies like unmanned systems – provided some ground truth about where it may be headed.

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.