Your Trusted Source for National Security News & Analysis

March 26th, 2025 | 12:50 AM ET

On Russian Aggression

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share
0 Shares
Posted: November 5th, 2015

By John Sipher

John Sipher worked for the CIA’s clandestine service for 28 years. He is now a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and a co-founder of Spycraft Entertainment. John served multiple overseas tours as Chief of Station and Deputy Chief of Station in Europe, Asia, and in high-threat environments. He is the recipient of CIA’s Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal.

Last month, our Network weighed in on the situation in Syria, making the case for increased American involvement in the conflict. One of our contributors, Rob Dannenberg, a former head of security for Goldman Sachs, explained Putin’s decision to intervene in Syria. This month, we pick up that conversation with John Sipher, a former member of CIA’s Senior Intelligence Service. Sipher offered his take on Putin, concluding the only way to deter Russian aggression is to stand up to it.

As a father of three boys, one of my favorite shows is “Malcolm in the Middle,” a 2000-2006 sitcom about a dysfunctional family of six.  The middle son, Reese, is a delinquent bully who spends all of his time devising fiendish plans to sow mayhem and violence.  When he finally falls for a girl in school, the only way that he knows how to show affection is by torturing her.

Access all of The Cipher Brief’s national security-focused expert insight by becoming a Cipher Brief Subscriber+ Member.

Sign Up Log In

Categorized as:Europe Middle East ReportingTagged with:

Related Articles

Search

Close