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After the Strikes: Is Iran on the Brink?

After the Strikes: Is Iran on the Brink?
U.S. and Israeli forces intensified their unprecedented military campaign against Iran over the weekend, striking strategic military, political and leadership targets deep inside Iranian territory in [...] More

Venezuela’s Key Takeaways for the World

Venezuela’s Key Takeaways for the World
CIPHER BRIEF EXPERT INTERVIEW – While the U.S. operation to detain Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro took just hours to execute, a full assessment of its global impact will take weeks or months to [...] More

More from Brad Christian

After Venezuela, What Is Next in 2026?

After Venezuela, What Is Next in 2026?

A conversation with former CIA Senior Executive Paul Kolbe [...] More
‘Mind-Blowing’ Pentagon Overhaul Will Reshape Acquisition

‘Mind-Blowing’ Pentagon Overhaul Will Reshape Acquisition

A top entrepreneur’s perspective on the risks and rewards of startup-style innovation at the Pentagon [...] More
(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
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is greeted by US President Donald Trump (L) upon arrival at the White House West Wing in Washington, DC, on August 18, 2025.

High-Stakes Talks in D.C.: Frozen Assets, Air Defense, and Tomahawks

The U.S. faces a pivotal decision on providing Tomahawks to Kyiv - a move that would expand Ukraine’s deep-strike reach [...] More
Special Report: Nat Sec EDGE 2025

Special Report: Nat Sec EDGE 2025

The 2025 Cipher Brief Nat Sec EDGE Conference brought together defense, intelligence and foreign policy leaders to debate the future of global [...] More
The Genius – and the Implications – of Ukraine’s ‘Spider Web’ Drone Assault

The Genius – and the Implications – of Ukraine’s ‘Spider Web’ Drone Assault

Beyond the damage to Russia’s military, experts see a stunning intelligence win for Ukraine [...] More
What Could Follow the U.S. Surprise in Syria?

What Could Follow the U.S. Surprise in Syria?

A former CIA station chief has some thoughts [...] More