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Iran, Tankers and the Threat of Greater Destruction

by Steven Ward

New audio of the seizure of a British-flagged tanker indicates the vessel was too far away from help to avoid being forced to change course by Iranian Paramilitary forces last week.  In audio...

Cyber

Iran

Middle East

Uncategorized

Middle East Topographic Map

Iran Strikes Back

by Vincent Stewart

Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif confirmed Monday that Tehran has violated the limits imposed on uranium enrichment that were a key part of the 2015 nuclear deal.  The U.S. withdrew its support...

Middle East

Uncategorized

Drone Warfare

Deadlier Skies: Risks and Benefits of Drone Technology

by The Cipher Brief

Last week, the U.S. nearly launched retaliatory attacks against Iran for the shooting down of a U.S. military drone that was operating in the region.  While the Trump Administration has been casting...

Middle East

Uncategorized

Limited Options for Dealing with Iran

by The Cipher Brief

The week is beginning with more escalatory talk between the U.S. and Iran.  A spokesman for the Iranian atomic agency said Monday that within 10 days, the country will pass the allowed limit for...

Afghanistan

Middle East

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Afghanistan's Deadly Path to Peace

by Gen. (ret.) David H. Petraeus

U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad is just beginning a multi-nation tour that will include peace talks with the Taliban in Qatar.  This comes as Taliban...

Iran

Middle East

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U.S. and Iran Flags

Iran: On the Brink, or Not?

by Norman T. Roule

As tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to rise, Cipher Brief expert Norm Roule answered subscriber’s questions in a Cipher Brief Members-Only webcast. What follows is a slightly edited (for...

Iran

Middle East

United States

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Iran's Coming Response: Increased Terrorism and Cyber Attacks?

by Gen. Keith Alexander and Jamil Jaffer

Cipher Brief expert and former Director of the NSA, General Keith Alexander (Ret.) and Jamil Jaffer, founder of the National Security Institute at George Mason University, weigh in on Iran’s...

Iran

Middle East

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The Impact of Harder-Hitting Sanctions on Iran

by The Cipher Brief

The U.S. moved this week to apply even more pressure on Iran to end its involvement in illicit activities around the world by announcing that the U.S. State Department will no longer grant sanctions...

Middle East

Intelligence

Iran

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The Islamic Revolution's Impact on Political Islam and the Middle East

by Emile Nakhleh

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.  Joining this high-level, security-focused community is only...

Middle East

Terrorism

The Threat Posed by Hezbollah

by The Cipher Brief

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.  Joining this high-level, security-focused community is only...