I Was in the CIA. Trump’s Petty Fights and Insults Will Make Us All Less Safe.
Steven Hall spent more than 30 years in the CIA, the bulk of them running and managing intelligence operations in Eurasia and Latin America. He […] More
intelligence community
Prepping the President for the Helsinki Summit
For decades, former secretary of state and White House chief of staff James Baker has touted his version of a salty military catchphrase as a good-government […] More
The Tasks & Opportunities Facing Gina Haspel
Gina Haspel assumes the position of D/CIA admirably prepared in all possible respects — in general, of course, given 33 years with the agency, and specifically, having […] More
Racing to Secure Our Future
The Great Powers are in an Artificial Intelligence (AI) arms race. China publicly set a goal of becoming “the world’s primary AI innovation center” by […] More
Banning Transgender Soldiers Will Damage National Security
“Who is a Homo?” ponders an internal CIA document written in 1980 to help investigators identify and purge gay CIA officers. “The homosexual is a […] More
Why Intelligence Matters
Former Acting CIA Director Michael Morell is debuting season two of his popular podcast ‘Intelligence Matters’ in partnership with CBS News this week. The Cipher […] More
Artificial Intelligence: Welcome to the Age of Disruptive Surprise
With the last few years of progress in artificial intelligence, it is hard to look forward without excitement…and apprehension. If you are paying attention at […] More
The OSS, 9/11 & Gina Haspel: Intelligence Under Fire
Just weeks after the attacks of 9/11, a flatbed truck was parked unceremoniously in the tree-lined fire lane next to the CIA’s New Headquarters Building, […] More
Two CIA Vets Take on CIA Nominee Haspel & Those Tapes
The nomination hearing of Gina Haspel to lead the agency is shaping up to be a bruising interrogation over Haspel’s role in the destruction of […] More
“Where Are the Grownups?” Holding Harassers and their Bosses Accountable
Amidst the seemingly daily allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct across almost every industry – entertainment, media, politics, technology, etc. – I have been anticipating […] More
How Immigration Makes the CIA Better at its Job
In recent weeks, debate over much needed immigration reform has reached a partisan crescendo. Elected representatives have argued whether prospective immigrants should be measured as […] More
Staying Competitive in a Crowded Open Source World
Technological advancements in the past 30 years have in many ways democratized access to information and disrupted countless industries – from journalism to national security. […] More
Former Spies on Nunes Memo: Underwhelmed, Unconvinced
Cipher Brief experts were underwhelmed by the “Nunes Memo,” made public Friday, despite the objections of Democrats, leaders in the intelligence community, and the FBI […] More
Pompeo Says Nothing ‘Untoward’ in Meeting Russian Intel Chiefs
CIA Director Michael Pompeo told Democrats that there is nothing “untoward” about meeting with Russia’s senior spy chiefs, following reports that he did just that […] More
“We Need Revolution, Not Just Evolution” in Security Clearances
With the multitude of national security threats facing our nation – from Russia and North Korea to extremism and climate change – you might not […] More
Front-Row Seat to a CIA (Veteran) Briefing on Iran
Cipher Brief experts General (ret) Michael Hayden and former CIA senior officer Norman Roule have had many conversations on the subject of Iran and the […] More
McLaughlin: Remembering Former CIA Chief Stansfield Turner
Former CIA director and retired Adm. Stansfield Turner passed away last week at 94. Former CIA Acting Director John McLaughlin offered this remembrance. Stansfield Turner […] More