Author Interview

UnderCover

What Really Happened at CIA Black Sites

by Phil Mudd

Phil Mudd wrote the book on CIA Black Sites.  Relying on his access and ability to convince former CIA Officers to talk about their experiences working at black sites, Mudd delivers an insider look...

Fine Print

Strzok Case Looks at Privacy versus Politics

by Walter Pincus

OPINION — National Security Columnist Walter Pincus takes a look at the new case being brought by fired FBI agent Peter Strzok and the issues it highlights around privacy versus politics. This...

Soufan Center

The Staying Power of the Islamic State

by Intel Brief

  Bottom Line Up Front Several high-level reports published over the past few weeks reiterate what most terrorism and security analysts have been saying for months—the so-called Islamic State...

State Secrets

Sue Gordon's Rock and a Hard Place

by Suzanne Kelly

One of the country’s leading Intelligence professionals made her way quietly to the White House late Thursday afternoon to deliver her letter of resignation to the Oval office. The message, on a...

Soufan Center

Tensions Erupt Over Kashmir

by Intel Brief

  Bottom Line Up Front On August 7, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic relations with India and ended bilateral trade between the two countries. The moves come after India’s August 5...

Soufan Center

Military and Political Dynamics in the Gulf

by Intel Brief

  Bottom Line Up Front The Persian Gulf remains a potential flashpoint as the United States and its allies increase their deployments and Iran strengthens its defense posture. Iran’s...

Cipher Brief Expert View

Kim Jung Un's Hubris

by Joseph DeTrani

North Korean leader Kim Jung Un’s recent actions were disturbing – and potentially dangerous.   After two summits with President Donald Trump and an historic June 30th meeting at the DMZ,...

Cipher Brief Expert View

MbS' Influence in the Middle East and Beyond

by Emile Nakhleh

New analysis from Cipher Brief expert and former member of the CIA’s Senior Intelligence Service, Emile Nakhleh writes that “Saudi Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammad bin Salman...

Soufan Center

Inoculation Efforts Against the Onslaught of Disinformation

by Intel Brief

  Bottom Line Up Front Given Russia’s relentless disinformation campaigns, several European countries have accelerated efforts to prepare their populations for this threat. While...

Soufan Center

Beijing's Latest White Paper: China's National Defense in the New Era

by Intel Brief

  Bottom Line Up Front On July 22, 2019, China issued a new defense white paper titled China’s National Defense in the New Era. The white paper stresses China’s ‘peaceful...