A European View on Putin’s Next Move in Ukraine
As career intelligence and diplomatic professionals look at today’s Ukraine situation, many – like Cipher Brief Expert and former Senior Member of the British Foreign […] More
Archive for ‘Ukraine’
Putin’s Risky Options in Ukraine
EXPERT PERSPECTIVE — It is still more probable than not that Russian President Vladimir Putin will employ military force in the coming weeks. He is […] More
A New Path to Cyber Conflict with Russia
OPINION — Last Thursday, in a little-noticed U.S. Treasury Department press release, the Biden administration accused Russia of currently implementing a 2020 information warfare plan […] More
Don’t Ignore All Sides of Russian Messaging
OPINION — Let’s look at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s situation at home, as we try to determine what’s behind his threatening stance toward Ukraine. As […] More
Anticipating Russia’s Next Move in Ukraine
“The Cipher Brief has become the most popular outlet for former intelligence officers; no media outlet is even a close second to The Cipher Brief […] More
How Putin’s Plans for Ukraine Could Pay Off
EXPERT PERSPECTIVE — If Russia ultimately launches military operations against Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden has signaled that the U.S. would respond not with direct […] More
The Message Putin Needs to Hear
EXPERT OPINION — “Peace for our time,” declared British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain upon his arrival at Heston Aerodrome outside London on 30 September 1938. […] More
Putin’s Asymmetric Blind Spot
OPINION — Perhaps it is just a reckless Khrushchevesque opening gambit, but Russia’s recent security demands suggest that Vladimir Putin’s condition for avoiding military action […] More
What Success Looks Like for Now in Ukraine
OPINION — Will past weeks of multi-national propaganda focused on military activity along the Ukraine/Russia border lead to a major conflict? Or is all this […] More
The New Dynamic Cyber Threat Environment
This expert-driven national-security insight can’t be generated for free. We invite you to support quality content by becoming a Cipher Brief Level I Member . Joining […] More
Why Boosting Ukraine’s Cyber Defenses Matters to All of Us
This expert-driven national-security insight can’t be generated for free. We invite you to support quality content by becoming a Cipher Brief Level I Member . Joining […] More
US Foreign Policy and a ‘Bridge to the Unknown’
Cipher Brief Expert John McLaughlin is a distinguished practitioner in residence at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. He served as the Deputy […] More
Why Ukraine Remains Hopeful but Uncertain
This unique national-security focused expert insight can’t be generated for free. We invite you to support this kind of quality content by becoming a Cipher Brief […] More
Are We Headed for a Watergate Moment?
OPINION — Could there be a Hugh Scott in 2019? I refer to Sen. Hugh Scott of Pennsylvania, in office from 1958 to 1976, who […] More
Atkinson’s Dogged Push for Transparency
This unique national-security focused expert insight can’t be generated for free. We invite you to support this kind of quality content by becoming a Cipher Brief […] More
A Global Conversation with General Philip Breedlove
Ripped straight from the headlines, there are a number of current, inter-related political and security issues that could have a significant impact on the U.S.’ […] More
Sending Russia A Maritime Message
The U.S. Navy sailed the USS McCampbell close to contested waters in the Sea of Japan on Wednesday, according to CNN. A U.S. Pacific Fleet […] More
Russia’s Strategy of Escalation Against Ukraine
This is Cipher Brief Level I Member Only content. It can be accessed via login or by signing up to become a Cipher Brief Member. […] More
Putin’s Strategy in Ukraine Fraught with Risk
Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko now says that Kiev is ready to consider talks with Russia. The Ukrainian leader told French broadcaster, France 24, that German […] More
What Scares Vladimir Putin?
The U.S. is calling for more rigorous enforcement of sanctions against Russia after Russian ships fired on and seized three Ukrainian boats on Sunday, claiming […] More
A Dramatic Escalation Between Russia and Ukraine
Bottom Line Up Front After months of increasing restrictions, Russia recently blockaded the Sea of Azov at the Kerch Strait, denying Ukrainian ships the […] More
Increasing Tensions Between the U.S. and Russia in Ukraine
Bottom Line Up Front The armed conflict in Ukraine has received scant attention in the Western media lately, however, tensions have recently increased between […] More