Ukraine, Russia and the Trust Needed to Open Humanitarian Food Corridor
OPINION — Ukraine’s Black Sea ports have been blocked since Russia invaded the country on February 24. Today, Ukraine claims more than 25 million tons […] More
Opinion
We Really Need to Fix the Saudi Problem
OPINION — In the annals of US history in the Middle East, there are few moments ingrained in the psyche of US government officials more […] More
Technology Offers a Practical Step to Thwart Violent Attacks
OPINION — The mass shooting in Buffalo is the latest in a long line of similar attacks over the past decade, with each one demonstrating […] More
Stay Calm and Consider 5 Steps on Solomon Islands
OPINION — In a world of hybrid warfare, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and threats from and through space – geography is still important. Witness the concern […] More
The Slippery Slope of Intelligence Sharing with Ukraine
OPINION — More than two months into the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a number of key security developments have emerged, some of which have […] More
Contradictions in US Policy between Ukraine and The Middle East
OPINION — The Biden administration is correct in responding to reported Russian atrocities by arming Ukraine to defend itself and is equally justified in assiduously […] More
Ukraine is Putin’s Forever War
OPINION — Like millions of others, I have been riveted to the unfolding tragedy in Ukraine as the world tries to make sense of this […] More
Putin Likely Didn’t Plan on Publicly Available Information in his War in Ukraine
OPINION — Even a cyber and info war aficionado like Russian President Vladimir Putin must begrudgingly appreciate the karmic role that the slew of publicly […] More
China’s Chance to Lead a Humanitarian Effort in Ukraine
OPINION — China’s annual National People’s Congress (NPC) opened on March 5 with Premier Li Keqiang presenting an upbeat annual Government Work Report that stressed […] More
‘Shields Up’ is a Slogan, not a Strategy
Sharing opinions is important. Opinion pieces represent the diverse views of The Cipher Brief audience and do not represent views of The Cipher Brief. OPINION […] More
Putin’s Health and State of Mind are very Hard Targets
OPINION — The current horrific invasion of Ukraine – including aerial bombing of civilian targets in large cities – by Russian military forces, and Russian […] More
Getting Our Act Together on American Tech Policy
OPINION — Earlier this year, the American Innovation and Choice Online Act (AICOA), which aims to prevent leading technology companies from engaging in anti-competitive behavior, […] More
The Ghosts of Afghanistan Haunt Ukraine
OPINION – The world is watching with dread, Russia’s multi-pronged campaign against Ukraine that includes major military operations, cyberattacks, propaganda, misinformation screeds, and possible sabotage […] More
Ukraine and Using the Righteousness of our Cause Creatively
OPINION — Putin’s invasion of Ukraine will generate immediate waves on the intel front, especially in HUMINT operations. Some effects will follow established patterns, but […] More
Putin’s Ukraine Gambit: Why Now and What’s Next
OPINION — Following a masterful combination of long-term strategy, gray zone tactics, hybrid warfare, and management of the information space, Russia’s President Putin has at […] More
The Ukraine Cyber Crisis: We Should Prepare but not Panic
OPINION — As the situation in Ukraine unfolds, the prospect of serious cyberattacks has captured the attention of cyber intelligence professionals like myself and the […] More
The Perfect Storm of Technology, Intelligence and AI
OPINION — The Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution is here and is rapidly becoming a central element of the Great Power Competition. Machine Learning (ML) and […] More
Is the Russian President a Strategic Master or a Strategic Failure?
OPINION — As a national leader, Vladimir Putin deserves respect. You underestimate him at your peril. But it is a qualified respect. Putin wields the […] More