Improving Transnational Intelligence Sharing
Emile Nakhleh is a retired CIA Senior Intelligence Service Officer and founding director of the CIA’s Political Islam Strategic Analysis Program Office. Nakhleh is currently […] More
The Cipher Brief
Reimagining our Domestic Cyber Defense Posture
OPINION — The SolarWinds breach, targeting several government agencies and private sector entities, was a stunning feat carried out by a nation-state actor purported to […] More
A Consequential Attack on America
As Washington continues to investigate the true depth of what experts are describing as one of the most damaging cyberattacks in U.S. history, both government […] More
A Bill, the President and China
Walter Pincus is a contributing senior national security columnist for The Cipher Brief. He spent forty years at The Washington Post, writing on topics from […] More
Washington’s Cyber Reckoning
As Washington continues to investigate the true depth of what experts are describing as one of the most damaging cyberattacks in U.S. history, both government […] More
A Huge Win for Stronger Public-Private Cybersecurity
Patrick D. Gaul is the Executive Director of the National Technology Security Coalition (NTSC), a non-profit, non-partisan, industry-agnostic organization focused on uniting both public and […] More
In a Future Military, You Must Spend to Deter
OPINION — President-elect Joe Biden and Defense Secretary-designee ret-Gen. Lloyd Austin will inherit a Defense Department already in transition, shifting to China as the future […] More
A New US Approach to the Muslim World
OPINION — Engaging Muslim communities globally emerged as a policy option within the U.S. government shortly after the heinous 9/11 terrorist attacks. Beyond degrading terrorist […] More
The IC Must Move Forward, Not Go Back
Carmen Medina is a former CIA Deputy Director of Intelligence. A 32-year veteran of the Intelligence Community, she is also the author of Rebels at Work: […] More
A Dangerous Dance with a Nuclear North Korea
Cipher Brief Expert Ambassador Joseph DeTrani is former Special envoy for Six Party Talks with North Korea as well as former CIA director of East […] More
The Uneasy Relationship Between the Pandemic, the Military and the Law
The Cipher Brief’s Academic Incubator program partners with colleges and Universities across the country to bring you the voices of the next generation of national […] More
Biden Holds the Cards on Iran, But Will He Play Them?
Gary Grappo is a former U.S. ambassador who held senior positions including Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad; U.S. Ambassador […] More
Holiday Shopping Tips for the Best National Security Books
(The Cipher Brief is an amazon affiliate and may make a small commission on books purchased via The Cipher Brief. ) UnderCover Senior Book Editor […] More
Taiwan’s Place in the Global Tech Race
It’s no secret that Taiwanese factories produce much of the world’s computer chip and semi-conductor supplies used in a variety of products from smartphones to […] More
Biden’s Best JCPOA Bid
OPINION — Was the November 27, assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh – Iran’s top nuclear scientist – the beginning or the end of attempts to sabotage […] More
A Few Words for America’s Night Soldiers
Views expressed in The Cipher Brief are individual views and do not represent all experts. Gregory Sims served in the CIA’s Clandestine Service for over […] More
Taiwan’s Critical Impact on the U.S. Supply Chain
Taiwanese factories produce much of the world’s computer chip and semi-conductor supplies that are used in a variety of products from smartphones to medical equipment. […] More
My Choice for the Next D/CIA
Marc Polymeropoulos served 26 years in the CIA before retiring from the Senior Intelligence Service in June 2019. His positions included field and headquarters operational […] More