Middle East

Syria

An Epilogue for Syria

by Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt

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 Level I Member . ...

Middle East

Iran

Saudi Arabia

Managing Iran's Actions to Avoid Collapse of Global Economy

by Norman T. Roule

  Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman is warning that military conflict with Iran would collapse the global economy.  He made the statement during an interview with CBS’ 60...

Middle East

Drones

Intelligence

Iran

Middle East

national security

The Drone Attack on Oil and the Larger Iran Problem

by Norman T. Roule

When a series of drones were used to attack a key Saudi oil facility over the weekend, the impact on oil production was noted by global markets.  Oil prices spiked as the attack was believed to...

Middle East

CIA

Exclusive

Hezbollah

Intelligence

Iran

Middle East

national security

Map of Iran

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

Uncategorized

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

Uncategorized

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

Uncategorized

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...