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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
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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
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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

Senator Tuberville: A One Man National Security Threat

Walter Pincus

Senator Tuberville: A One Man National Security Threat

OPINION — “For months, Senator [Tommy] Tuberville [R-Ala.] has said, if individual nominees are brought up for a vote one at a time, he will be fine [...] More

Fine PrintFine PrintNorth AmericaWalter PincusDoDnational securitymilitary

Conflict is One Part History, One Part Petraeus Memoir

Dr. Michael O'Hanlon

Conflict is One Part History, One Part Petraeus Memoir

OPINION — David Petraeus and Andrew Roberts are getting lots of attention for their outstanding new book, Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from [...] More

Central and Eastern EuropeDoDmilitary