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national security

2025: 10 Events That Changed the World

2025: 10 Events That Changed the World

SPECIAL REPORT — In a turbulent year, one of the biggest national security stories came in the form of a document.The administration’s National [...] More

national securitymilitaryIntelligence

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America’s Next National Security Crisis: A War on Its Own Energy Base

Vice Admiral Robert Harward (Ret.)

America’s Next National Security Crisis: A War on Its Own Energy Base

OPINION — Every mission begins with trust. In World War II, the U.S. government trusted private energy producers to deliver aviation gasoline at [...] More

national securityEconomics

The U.S. Role in a Multipolar World - and the Dangers of Isolationism

Walter Pincus

The U.S. Role in a Multipolar World - and the Dangers of Isolationism

OPINION — “What should the U.S. role in the world be right now? We're waiting for the [Trump administration] National Security Strategy to come out [...] More

national securityChinaWalter PincusFine PrintAsia
A ship crosses the Baltic Sea at sunrise

The War You Can’t See: Gray Zone Operations Are Reshaping Global Security

EXPERT PERSPECTIVE -- In the middle of the night, with no witnesses, a single ship flagged out of Hong Kong drags its anchor across the Baltic Sea. [...] More

Dave PittsInternationalNATOEspionagenational security
The U.S. Needs More Patriot Missiles

The U.S. Needs More Patriot Missiles

CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING – On June 23, the U.S. Army used roughly 30 Patriot missiles to defend against an Iranian attack on Al-Udeid, the largest U.S. [...] More

DoDnational securitymilitary
Sabotage Without Warning: ​Why the Gray Zone Could Be America’s Biggest Blind Spot

Sabotage Without Warning: ​Why the Gray Zone Could Be America’s Biggest Blind Spot

EXPERT BRIEFING — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced this week that 32 people have been detained since the start of Moscow’s war with [...] More

CyberEspionageEconomicTech/Cybernational securitySecurity/Stability
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 Cipher Brief's Hottest Summer Reading

The Cipher Brief's Hottest Summer Reading

CIPHER BRIEF FEATURE REPORTING -- With the 4th of July holiday fast approaching, now is a good time for our annual summer list of recommended beach [...] More

Espionagenational security

Security will be a Critical Aspect of New AI Center

Rick Ledgett

Security will be a Critical Aspect of New AI Center

EXPERT PERSPECTIVE — The recent signing of an agreement between the United Arab Emirates and the United States to create a large scale joint center [...] More

Middle EastCipher Brief Expert Viewnational security

Counter-AI May be the Most Important AI Battlefront

Jennifer Ewbank

Counter-AI May be the Most Important AI Battlefront

EXPERT PERSPECTIVE — Artificial intelligence (AI) has truly captivated the American imagination, with increasing attention focused on the latest AI [...] More

Cyber Initiatives GroupCipher Brief Expert ViewTech/Cybernational security

The World of Threats – According to the Defense Intelligence Agency 

Walter Pincus

The World of Threats – According to the Defense Intelligence Agency 

OPINION - “[Russian President Vladimir] Putin almost certainly is committed to victory in Ukraine, and his objectives remain mostly unchanged since [...] More

national securityWalter Pincus

When It Comes to National Security, Loyalty Tests Should Have No Place

General Michael Hayden

When It Comes to National Security, Loyalty Tests Should Have No Place

OPINION - National Security Adviser Mike Waltz appears to have lost his post at least in part because of questions of loyalty. Same for National [...] More

national security
Waltz, Rubio and the National Security Shakeup

Waltz, Rubio and the National Security Shakeup

CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING – The announcement was made on the 101st day of the second Trump administration, and while some insiders said they saw it [...] More

national securityReporting