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(Original Caption) 9/5/1963-Washington, DC- Flying over the Virginia side of the Potomac River, the impressive site of the world's largest office building crops into view. The Pentagon, which covers 34 acres of land including a 5-acre pentagonal center court, houses personnel of the U.S. Department of Defense, which includes the Departments of Army, Navy and Air Force. This bird's eye view also shows part of the 67-acre parking space area.

Assessing the Pentagon’s Mission to Rebuild the ‘Arsenal of Freedom'

DEEP DIVE — The Pentagon is waging war against its own acquisition bureaucracy. In a sweeping speech on Friday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth [...] More

Brad ChristianDoDTech/Cybernational securitymilitary

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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

Ukraine's Defense Export Pivot Is A Game-Changer

Joey Gagnard

Ukraine's Defense Export Pivot Is A Game-Changer

EXPERT PERSPECTIVE/OPINION -- Ukraine may have just fundamentally shifted the global defense landscape. On June 21st, Ukraine unleashed its "Build [...] More

Joey GagnardUkraineDoDTech/CyberEurope
OPINION: Assessing the State of our National Security

OPINION: Assessing the State of our National Security

EXPERT PERSPECTIVE / OPINION – I had the pleasure of delivering the opening address at the recent Cipher Brief HONORS Dinner where we recognized some [...] More

DoDAmericasUnited Statesnational securityMichael Vickers
Welcome to the Gray Zone and the Future of Great Power Competition
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special series

Welcome to the Gray Zone and the Future of Great Power Competition

This is part one of a 3-part series by Cipher Brief Expert and former Assistant Director of CIA for South and Central Asia Dave Pitts, who also [...] More

ChinaRussiaNorth KoreaUkraineIntelligenceDave PittsDoDEuropeAsia

U.S. Mission in Space: Maintaining Credibility to Deter

Walter Pincus

U.S. Mission in Space: Maintaining Credibility to Deter

OPINION — “Space is a warfighting domain. Therefore, the Space Force cannot simply be a support element. It is our job to contest and control the [...] More

DoDWalter PincusFine Print

A Personal Perspective on 9/11 and the War that Followed

Admiral James 'Sandy' Winnefeld (Ret.)

A Personal Perspective on 9/11 and the War that Followed

CIPHER BRIEF EXPERT PERSPECTIVE – Just before 3:00 p.m. local time just outside the Strait of Hormuz, the Safety Officer aboard the USS ENTERPRISE [...] More

DoDCipher Brief Expert ViewTerrorismmilitary

Where in the World is the U.S. Coast Guard?

Walter Pincus

Where in the World is the U.S. Coast Guard?

OPINION – “The service [U.S. Coast Guard] is short 4,800 members [more than 10 percent of its active-duty personnel] and has missed recruiting [...] More

DoDWalter PincusFine Printmilitary
The West's Weapons Problem: Growing Threats, Dwindling Stockpiles

The West's Weapons Problem: Growing Threats, Dwindling Stockpiles

SUBSCRIBER+EXCLUSIVE REPORTING — As the U.S. and NATO deepen their involvement in a pair of major global conflicts, western nations face a critical [...] More

EuropeMiddle EastDoDnational securitymilitaryAsiaReportingAmericasChinaUkraineNorth AmericaUnited States

It's Complicated: The Use of Race in Military Academy Submissions

Walter Pincus

It's Complicated: The Use of Race in Military Academy Submissions

OPINION — “We can’t blow past racial tension in the military…There have always been racial tensions in the military. They have lessened, but they are [...] More

Fine PrintFine PrintWalter PincusDoDnational securitymilitary

Pentagon Looking for Recommendations on F-35

Walter Pincus

Pentagon Looking for Recommendations on F-35

OPINION — “Since early October, the F-35 [jet fighter] program has delivered surge support to Israel. Israeli users are achieving exceptional mission [...] More

Fine PrintNorth AmericaWalter PincusDoDFine Printmilitary

Keep an Eye in the Sky for U.S. Missile Defense

Walter Pincus

Keep an Eye in the Sky for U.S. Missile Defense

OPINION — “We’ve looked extensively at the Ukraine conflict and I can tell you, the use of drones and how we’re seeing drones being utilized in that [...] More

Fine PrintFine PrintInternationalWalter PincusDoDnational securitymilitary

Audits show the Pentagon's Numbers Aren't Completely Adding up

Walter Pincus

Audits show the Pentagon's Numbers Aren't Completely Adding up

OPINION — “Because of the [Defense] Department’s global scale, we have three million people on our payrolls; a health-care system that serves more [...] More

Fine PrintNorth AmericaWalter PincusDoDFine Printmilitary