WannaCry Changes Intelligence Community Calculus
The worldwide WannaCry ransomware, which targeted computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, was an admonition to everyone who connects to cyberspace – especially the […] More
News & Analysis
Trump’s Montenegro Moment
Dusko Markovic. Not a household name. Neither is Montenegro, the small, stunningly beautiful Balkan country with an Adriatic coastline, where Mr. Markovic is Prime Minister. […] More
Schiff Goes Full Circle, from Nailing FBI Spy to Investigating Russia
In 1990, as a young assistant U.S. attorney, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) slipped into the national security world when he nailed the first FBI agent […] More
Did Pyongyang Unleash WannaCry Worm? Be Sure Before Retaliating
Over the past few weeks, a critical question has been discussed amidst cybersecurity professionals and experts. Who would pair North Korean-linked malware with an alleged […] More
The Hardest Fight Comes After Mosul Falls
After eight months of grinding conflict, Iraqi commanders are now confident that the battle to retake Mosul from ISIS is in its final phase. Pushing […] More
Iran Looks to Expand Influence in Iraq When Mosul Falls
The battle for the strategic Iraqi city of Mosul has reached its final stage as Iraqi forces close in on the Islamic State’s last stronghold […] More
Military Victory in Mosul Likely to Lift P.M. Abadi’s Reelection Campaign
After almost eight months of fighting, the battle to liberate Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, from ISIS is nearing its end. The Iraqi army has taken […] More
Network Take: Does Climate Deal Pullout Affect National Security?
“We’re getting out,” announced President Donald Trump on Thursday, as he explained why the United States was withdrawing from the Paris climate accord. Signatories to […] More
Leaving the Paris Climate Accord: Why it Matters
“The United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord,” President Donald Trump announced Thursday afternoon, keeping a promise he made on the campaign trail. […] More
U.S. Loses Seat at the Table with Climate Accord Withdrawal
The current Administration’s top leadership on defense, diplomacy and intelligence – the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and Director of National Intelligence – all […] More
China Officially Ties Internet Restrictions to its own National Security
Today China began enforcing its controversial new Cybersecurity Law, which broadly demands that multinational companies make data accessible to the Chinese government while strengthening the […] More
Would an Arab NATO Help Stabilize the Mideast — or Inflame Iran?
During last week’s Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, President Donald Trump and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud strongly condemned Iranian support for […] More
Arab NATO Plan Could Backfire, Driving Tehran Toward Moscow, Beijing
Iran’s leaders probably view the idea of an Arab NATO to confront Tehran as a U.S.-directed and Israeli-supported Sunni Muslim alliance against Shia Iran. […] More
Iranian Voters Weary of Rogue State Status, Look West
The Cipher Brief’s Bennett Seftel sat down with Emad Kiyaei, Policy Advisor at the American Iranian Council to discuss Iran’s recent elections, U.S. President Donald […] More
Peacekeeping Cuts Jeopardize Central African Republic
BANGUI, Central African Republic – Since May 8, fighting in the southeastern city of Bangassou, the southern town of Alindao and the central mining town […] More
Missile Defense Test Blocks Missile, Can it Block Criticism?
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) performed a successful test of the Ground-based Missile Defense (GMD) system on Tuesday. This was the first test of […] More
Kushner Allegations Have No Basis; Backchannels are Routine
Allegations that involve Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner persist, following U.S. media reports over the weekend. According to the Washington Post and New York Times, […] More
DIA Joins Innovation Train, Reaches Out to Private Sector
A new DIA effort to attract a wider range of contractors and be nimbler is showing promise despite the hurdles it has to jump. The […] More