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Espionage

Checkmate, Comrade: Espionage, Surveillance, and the Quiet Rebellion over the Chess Board

BOOK REVIEW: Spy’s Mate, A NovelBy Brad Buchanan / Thinkers PublishingReviewed by: Jean-Thomas NicoleThe Reviewer — Jean-Thomas Nicole is a Policy [...] More

The Latest

Spy Versus Spy: Iran’s Playbook for Espionage in Israel

OPINION — Israel’s intelligence penetration of Iran played out in dramatic form over the course of the 12-day war this summer, but Iran is running an [...] More

Expert Q&A: Undersea Cables Under Attack, from Outside and Within

EXPERT Q&A — Reports of damage to undersea cables across the world are on the rise, with suspected foul play in many of these incidents. These cables [...] More

Here’s How Russia’s Covert War Could Undermine its Own Goals

Here’s How Russia’s Covert War Could Undermine its Own Goals

EXPERT PERSPECTIVE / OPINION — The July 2025 sanctioning and indictment by the United Kingdom of three units and 18 individuals affiliated with the [...] More

Expert Q&A: The Silent Chinese Spy Threat Under the Waves

EXPERT Q&A — There is increasing focus on the vulnerability of undersea cables — a critical infrastructure which is key to much of global [...] More

I Sat Across the Table from China’s Spies. Here’s How They Operate in Fragile States

OPINION — In 2016, I sat across the table from China’s Director of Operations for the Ministry of State Security (MSS). Their visit to Kabul was [...] More

Are Undersea Cables a “Backdoor for Espionage” Against the U.S.?

Are Undersea Cables a “Backdoor for Espionage” Against the U.S.?

CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and members of Congress are warning that China may be engaged in underwater [...] More

Mossad Loves Psychology: The World of Yariv Inbar

BOOK REVIEW: Behind The TriggerBy Yariv Inbar/Genera VenturesReviewed by: Kenneth DeklevaThe Reviewer — Dr. Kenneth Dekleva served as a Regional [...] More

An Artful Thriller: Silva Scores Again

BOOK REVIEW: An Inside JobBy Daniel Silva / HarperReviewed by: Anne and Jay GrunerThe Reviewers — Anne and Jay Gruner were career CIA officers in [...] More

Sabotage Without Warning: ​Why the Gray Zone Could Be America’s Biggest Blind Spot

Sabotage Without Warning: ​Why the Gray Zone Could Be America’s Biggest Blind Spot

EXPERT BRIEFING — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced this week that 32 people have been detained since the start of Moscow’s war with [...] More

The Cipher Brief's Hottest Summer Reading

The Cipher Brief's Hottest Summer Reading

CIPHER BRIEF FEATURE REPORTING -- With the 4th of July holiday fast approaching, now is a good time for our annual summer list of recommended beach [...] More

The Central Role of Women in the CIA

BOOK REVIEW: AGENTS OF CHANGE: The Women Who Transformed the CIABy Christina Hillsberg / Citadel June 24. 2025Reviewed by: Jennifer EwbankThe [...] More

Chinese Industrial Espionage: What Happens in the Netherlands Doesn’t Stay in the Netherlands

OPINION — China is conducting intelligence operations in the Netherlands that are targeting key industrial sectors including semiconductors, [...] More