Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Threat Con 2025
cipherbrief

Welcome! Log in to stay connected and make the most of your experience.

Input clean

military

Europe Prepares for War

Europe Prepares for War

DEEP DIVE – From large-scale military drills to increased defense spending to the continent’s easternmost nations fortifying their borders with [...] More

Europemilitary
Threat Con 2025

The Latest

Where Senate Appropriators are Steering Defense Dollars

Walter Pincus

Where Senate Appropriators are Steering Defense Dollars

OPINION — “The {Senate Appropriations] Committee recommends increases for [fiscal 2026 Defense Department (DoD)] programs and initiatives that are [...] More

Walter PincusFine Printmilitary
Can the U.S. Fix a Broken System of Acquiring Weapons?

Can the U.S. Fix a Broken System of Acquiring Weapons?

DEEP DIVE – It’s a rare area of bipartisan agreement in Washington: a belief that the U.S. must reform the way it develops and obtains its weapons. [...] More

military
The U.S. Has 40,000 Troops in the Middle East

The U.S. Has 40,000 Troops in the Middle East

CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING -- Recent U.S. strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities propelled the 40,000 American forces in the region into the spotlight [...] More

Middle EastDoDnational securitymilitary

The Math Behind Trump's $1 Trillion Defense Budget

Walter Pincus

The Math Behind Trump's $1 Trillion Defense Budget

OPINION — “The President's FY ‘26 [Fiscal Year 2026] National Defense Budget requests $1.01 trillion, which is a 13 percent increase from FY '25 [...] More

Walter PincusFine Printmilitary
Beijing’s Rare Disclosure on DF-5B Missile Signals Shift in Nuclear Messaging

Beijing’s Rare Disclosure on DF-5B Missile Signals Shift in Nuclear Messaging

CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING -- China’s state television put a rare public focus on Beijing’s DF-5B intercontinental ballistic missile earlier this month, [...] More

ChinaNuclearmilitaryAsia
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
Threat Con 2025

The Many Parts of Trump's Golden Dome Missile Defense Plan

Walter Pincus

The Many Parts of Trump's Golden Dome Missile Defense Plan

OPINION — “The Golden Dome for America Industry Summit will be held on June 11, 2025 at the Von Braun Center downtown Huntsville, Ala., at the [...] More

Walter PincusFine Printmilitary

Where are the Sage Advisors When You Need Them?

Walter Pincus

Where are the Sage Advisors When You Need Them?

OPINION -- “There are few things you can do that are more gratifying and more satisfying, and when you look back, being able to say that maybe, you [...] More

IntelligenceWalter Pincusmilitary
As U.S. Commitment Wanes, Europe Faces Questions About its Own Defense

As U.S. Commitment Wanes, Europe Faces Questions About its Own Defense

EXPERT INTERVIEW – In the early weeks of the second Trump administration, questions were raised about Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, as the [...] More

EuropemilitaryNATO
The Challenges – and Opportunities – of a ‘Golden Dome’ Defense System
Badge
deep dive

The Challenges – and Opportunities – of a ‘Golden Dome’ Defense System

DEEP DIVE – Donald Trump vowed Tuesday to finish building a “Golden Dome” defense shield before the end of his term that would protect the nation [...] More

militaryAmericasNorth AmericaReporting
For U.S. Defense Industry, These Minerals Really are ‘Critical’

For U.S. Defense Industry, These Minerals Really are ‘Critical’

DEEP DIVE – Coverage of the U.S.-China tariff war has focused on the impact for consumers – the potential for spikes in the prices of cars and [...] More

critical mineralsTech/CybermilitaryReporting

The 'Golden Dome' Missile Defense Plan – and a New Arms Race

Walter Pincus

The 'Golden Dome' Missile Defense Plan – and a New Arms Race

OPINION — “The space-based interceptor piece was not in the [missile defense] architecture plan as we were before January 27 [when President Trump [...] More

Fine PrintWalter Pincusmilitary