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A Declining Demand for Strategic Intelligence? U.S. and Israeli cases

Itai Shapira

A Declining Demand for Strategic Intelligence? U.S. and Israeli cases

OPINION — Strategic intelligence, usually perceived as intelligence supporting the formulation of strategy, has always had limited influence over [...] More

Itai ShapiraMiddle EastIsrael

The Latest

The Middle East is Reshuffling the Deck. Is the U.S. Ready to Play a New Hand?

The Middle East is Reshuffling the Deck. Is the U.S. Ready to Play a New Hand?

EXPERT INTERVIEW – The past year has brought a whirlwind of dramatic developments in the Middle East, reshaping long-held assumptions about the [...] More

IranIsraelSaudi ArabiaMiddle EastSyria
Former CIA Director on the Priority Intelligence Requirement in Iran

Former CIA Director on the Priority Intelligence Requirement in Iran

EXPERT INTERVIEW – Tehran’s response on Monday to U.S. attacks against its nuclear facilities over the weekend was measured and possibly calibrated [...] More

IranNuclearIntelligenceIsraelMiddle Eastmilitary
Parsing the Opportunity from Extreme Challenges in the Middle East
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expert interview

Parsing the Opportunity from Extreme Challenges in the Middle East

EXPERT INTERVIEW / PERSPECTIVE – The Middle East has changed dramatically over the past four years, creating both extraordinary challenges and [...] More

IranIsraelMiddle EastTerrorism

Supreme Leader Khamenei’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Year

Andy Dunn

Supreme Leader Khamenei’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Year

“Fate is a wheel that turns; in our pride, we sometimes forget how swiftly it can crush us beneath it.” - Attributed to Shah Ismail I, founder of the [...] More

IranCipher Brief Expert ViewAndy DunnIsrael

Lessons from Israel's Tale of Two Fronts

Emily Harding

Lessons from Israel's Tale of Two Fronts

OPINION — On Oct 6th, Hamas was ready to launch an audacious attack. It was complex, involved thousands of fighters, and aimed to kill, capture, and [...] More

IntelligenceEmily HardingIsrael

Global Challenges for 47th President: Two Major Wars, and Avoiding Conflict With China

John McLaughlin

Global Challenges for 47th President: Two Major Wars, and Avoiding Conflict With China

EXPERT OPINION — As Americans vote, and an anxious nation awaits the results, we turned to a member of our expert network with extensive global [...] More

ChinaRussiaIranUkraineIsraelNational Security
Why the ‘Philadelphi Corridor’ May Derail a Gaza Deal
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deep dive

Why the ‘Philadelphi Corridor’ May Derail a Gaza Deal

DEEP DIVE — A small sliver of territory lies at the heart of the desperate international effort to free Hamas’ remaining hostages, and bring at least [...] More

IsraelMiddle EastReporting
Assessing the 'Last Opportunity' for a Gaza Ceasefire Deal
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expert interviews

Assessing the 'Last Opportunity' for a Gaza Ceasefire Deal

EXPERT INTERVIEWS— In the last-gasp negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire underway in Cairo, the negotiating teams reflect the high stakes of the moment. [...] More

IranIsraelMiddle EastReporting
What Happened to Iran’s Promised Revenge Against Israel?
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expert analysis

What Happened to Iran’s Promised Revenge Against Israel?

BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT — Cipher Brief Experts suggest a range of possible explanations for Iran's delay in delivering promised retaliation toward [...] More

IranIsraelMiddle EastReporting

War, Legitimacy and Context in the Middle East

Geoffrey Corn

War, Legitimacy and Context in the Middle East

Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula (Ret.)

War, Legitimacy and Context in the Middle East

OPINION — Gaza. The word immediately evokes images of wartime carnage. For us, however, it represents something else: an example of the danger [...] More

IsraelGeoffrey CornIsraeli War

U.S. Moving Big Guns to the Middle East to Deter, Protect and Defend

Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan

U.S. Moving Big Guns to the Middle East to Deter, Protect and Defend

EXPERT Q&A — The U.S. began moving additional military assets to the Middle East in anticipation of a direct attack on Israel after the assassination [...] More

IranCipher Brief Expert ViewIsraelMiddle East
Spoilers that could Ignite 'Tinder Box' in the Middle East
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exclusive interview

Spoilers that could Ignite 'Tinder Box' in the Middle East

SUBSCRIBER+EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW – Since the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran nearly two weeks ago, world leaders are urging [...] More

IranMiddle EastIsrael