LATEST Fine Print COLUMNS

Veteran national security reporter Walter Pincus brings his legendary Fine Print column to The Cipher Brief, delivering his take on defense and security every Tuesday.

February 25, 2020February 24, 2020

February 25, 2020February 24, 2020

The Russian Obsession

by Walter Pincus

This expert-driven national-security insight can’t be generated for free. We invite you to support quality content by becoming a Cipher Brief Level I Member . Joining this experienced...

February 18, 2020February 17, 2020

February 18, 2020February 17, 2020

How Will Investigations Into Russian Interference Move Forward?

by Walter Pincus

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 . ...

February 4, 2020February 3, 2020

February 4, 2020February 3, 2020

Why a Closer Look at SOCOM Should be on the Radar

by Walter Pincus

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 . ...

January 28, 2020January 27, 2020

January 28, 2020January 27, 2020

DoD's New Marching Orders: Fail Fast

by Walter Pincus

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 . ...

December 10, 2019December 9, 2019

December 10, 2019December 9, 2019

New Nuclear START with Russia

by Walter Pincus

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 . ...

November 26, 2019November 25, 2019

November 26, 2019November 25, 2019

American Foreign Policy on Trial

by Walter Pincus

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 . ...

November 19, 2019November 18, 2019

November 19, 2019November 18, 2019

How Foreign Leaders Play President Trump

by Walter Pincus

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 . ...

November 12, 2019November 11, 2019

November 12, 2019November 11, 2019

A List of Questions for Impeachment Investigators

by Walter Pincus

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 . ...

November 5, 2019November 4, 2019

November 5, 2019November 4, 2019

What Alexander Hamilton Taught Us About Impeachment

by Walter Pincus

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 . ...

October 29, 2019October 28, 2019

October 29, 2019October 28, 2019

Trump and His Oil Fields

by Walter Pincus

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 . ...

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Steven Ward

Steven R. Ward is a retired intelligence officer and former member of CIA’s senior analytic service who specializes in Iran and the surrounding region. A retired U.S. Army Reserve lieutenant colonel and graduate of the United State Military Academy at West Point, he currently is a contract historian for the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint History Office. Between 2010 and 2012, he ...