The Continuously Changing Saudi Explanation for the Murder of Khashoggi
Bottom Line Up Front On October 19, Saudi Arabia once again changed its official response to the killing of Jamal Khashoggi from a denial […] More
Europe
Russian Cyber Espionage, Crimes, and Hooliganism
Bottom Line Up Front Russia continues to attack the data and computer networks of Western countries and organizations. Moscow will target any organization that seeks […] More
Iran’s False Narrative on Al Qaeda
The United States and its allies routinely describe Iran as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. Despite this designation, the regime proudly supports Hezbollah, […] More
Allies Resist U.S. Pressure on Iran
Bottom Line Up Front The United States is alienating its European allies by insisting that they comply with U.S. sanctions against Iran. Iran is attracting […] More
Expert Analysis: Fissures Between U.S., Europe and Iran at United Nations
President Donald Trump largely followed the U.S. policy script on Iran when he addressed the United Nations on Wednesday. So what exactly, did the key […] More
Europe Reacts to U.S. on JCPOA: Keep Calm and Negotiate On
The word ‘resignation’ is being used here in London – not, for once, about the actual or potential departure of yet another of our ministers, […] More
Russian Infowar Targets Transatlantic Bonds
The West’s coordinated expulsion of more than 150 Russian diplomats in response to the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal is a sign, perhaps, of […] More
Surviving Trump: Advice to Europe from an Obama Veteran
Cipher Brief network expert Michel Flournoy, former senior Obama administration defense official, offered advice to her former European counterparts at the German Marshall Forum in […] More
African Migration: Scourge or Solution?
Marrakech, MOROCCO — Most African migration is taking place inside the continent, despite the headlines that give the impression that Africans trying to flee their […] More
NATO, U.S. Take Hard Look at Readiness for Fight in Europe
One of Russia’s largest military exercises begins today – and it’s targeted toward the West. Zapad, which literally means “West” in Russian, is a recurrent […] More
Russia Meddles in Western, Northern Europe
Russia has increased its meddling in European countries outside the former Soviet bloc recently. Moscow’s support for populist parties – including France’s National Front, Italy’s […] More
Russia Plays on U.S., European Social Fissures
Russia interfered in France’s recent presidential elections, supporting far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, and is likely to meddle in Germany’s upcoming federal elections in September. […] More
Italy Needs Russian Oil, Gas – and Courts Russians to Buy Its Luxury Goods
Gone are the times when the Italian Communist Party preserved its political and strategic autonomy when competing in domestic politics, while supporting the Soviet Union […] More
Populism Spreads Across U.S., Europe But Could Halt as Economy Rallies
A populist wave is washing over the United States and Europe, which have seen populist leaders take the helm – U.S. President Donald Trump – […] More
Is Populism Another Name for Political Emotionalism?
What is the definition of populism? What are the common threads that tie together populist movements? Does populism work? The Cipher Brief’s Kaitlin Lavinder spoke […] More
We Are Asking the Wrong Questions about Populism
The upsurge of populism in the United States and Europe has us asking the wrong questions. The issue that should concern us is not what […] More
Never Waste a Good Crisis: Forcing Europe to Stand Up for Itself
U.S. President Donald Trump shook the post-war foundation of German foreign policy: its integration into the European Union (EU) and NATO. By questioning Pax Americana […] More
Europe Is Boosting Defense Spending – And It’s Not All About Trump
America’s commitment to European security is up in the air under the Trump Administration, raising the question, will Europeans have to take more responsibility for […] More