The Russia-Taliban partnership is about more than counterterrorism. Javid Ahmad warns that Afghanistan’s future is increasingly being shaped by U.S. rivals, not Washington. Read the full piece at The Cipher Brief. thecipherbrief.com/russias-t…

Russian influence operations didn’t begin in 2016—and they aren’t ending anytime soon. Read the full piece at The Cipher Brief. thecipherbrief.com/russia-es…

Qatar has spent years cultivating its image as a trusted U.S. partner. Is Washington overlooking a growing information threat? #NatSec #OSINT thecipherbrief.com/qatar-new…

History remains a battlefield. This perspective examines how Kremlin narratives about World War II often emphasize Soviet victory while minimizing uncomfortable realities. Read the full analysis from Glenn Corn in The Cipher Brief. thecipherbrief.com/history-m…

Walter Pincus examines what Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s latest Congressional testimony reveals about Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, classified targeting criteria, and U.S. foreign policy priorities. The details matter - and so do the implications. thecipherbrief.com/trump-adm…

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Nuclear talks continuing in the background. Former National Intelligence Manager for Iran Norm Roule explains the military, economic, and diplomatic forces shaping the next phase of the Israel-Iran crisis. thecipherbrief.com/middle-ea…

A SPECIAL OPS OPENING PITCH — I have it on good authority that Saturday’s opening pitch at the Yankees vs. Red Sox game is being thrown out by an @thecipherbrief Expert with a lot of special ops experience. Spies tell me the covert pitcher has been brushing up on his skills with some hard-core training sessions this week at an undisclosed location in the South. Those same spies also tell us that the Yankees will be welcoming guests from the @SOFWarriorFnd to the game. SOWF provides education and other opportunities to the families of the fallen. In a covert debrief this week, I asked this secret pitcher who he’ll be cheering for at the game. “The Yankees, of course!”

Former MI6 Chief Richard Moore remembers Sir Alex Younger not only as a respected intelligence leader, but as a trusted friend. Younger helped shape modern British intelligence and left a lasting legacy on SIS. thecipherbrief.com/rememberi…

The Pentagon’s innovation overhaul was billed as more than a reorganization. The real test is whether the new system can deliver before competitors gain further ground. Read the full analysis from Joey Gagnard in The Cipher Brief. thecipherbrief.com/pentagons…

What happens when you spend a semester immersed in national security? For Cipher Brief interns, it's more than learning how to write. It's learning how to think. From separating facts from emotion, to tracking rapidly evolving global events, to understanding the interconnected nature of today's security challenges, our interns gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity behind the headlines. As Mary put it: "My perspective on national security has completely changed." We're proud to help develop the next generation of journalists, analysts, and national security leaders. #TheCipherBrief #NationalSecurity #Internship #FutureLeaders #Journalism #Intelligence #ForeignPolicy #Defense #CyberSecurity #NationalSecurityNews

What happens when AI, climate disruption, geopolitical rivalry, and information warfare collide? In this episode of the State Secrets Podcast, @SuzanneKelly_ sits down with authors retired Admiral James Stavridis @stavridisj and @elliotackerman to discuss 2084, the final installment of their acclaimed trilogy. From climate-driven migration to AI-powered conflict, cognitive warfare, and Arctic power competition, Stavridis and Ackerman explore the future of global security—and why fiction can serve as a vital warning. This is essential listening for anyone who cares about the security and stability of our world. youtu.be/TNTCm5OgTfM #2084 #StateSecretsPodcast #NationalSecurity #AI #ClimateSecurity #Geopolitics #TheCipherBrief

Europe—and the U.S.—aren’t just facing isolated attacks. They're under relentless, cross-border hybrid campaigns. #HybridThreats #GrayZone #CognitiveWarfare #NationalSecurity #Intelligence #Russia #Iran #China #CyberSecurity #TheCipherBrief thecipherbrief.com/partner-a…

Google’s AlphaEarth showed what pixel-level AI can do for mapping the planet. Former NGA CTO and Chief AI Officer Mark Munsell argues the U.S. has the data, mission, and opportunity to build the next generation of AI-powered intelligence. thecipherbrief.com/why-the-u…

What if war no longer has a clear beginning or end? Part I of this series explores the concept of “Endless Warfare” and how Iran, Russia, and China are reshaping the character of modern conflict. thecipherbrief.com/how-ameri…

Narco-terrorism isn’t just organized crime anymore. It’s grey-zone warfare. Why Washington can no longer afford to ignore Pakistan’s hidden front against India. #India #Pakistan #NarcoTerrorism #IndoPacific #Counterterrorism #NationalSecurity thecipherbrief.com/pakistans…

This Memorial Day, we remember the Americans who quietly volunteered to stand with Ukraine after Russia’s invasion — not for recognition, but because conscience demanded it. Some never came home. Their stories deserve to be told. 🇺🇸🇺🇦 thecipherbrief.com/americans…

DHS authorities have expanded. Its strategy hasn’t. The result: components managing increasingly interconnected threats without a unifying institutional framework. The gap between mission and strategy is widening. thecipherbrief.com/dhs-becom…

Trump’s Beijing summit produced few clear deliverables, but gave Xi Jinping something valuable. Two Cipher Brief experts assess what the summit revealed about U.S.-China competition, Taiwan, AI and Beijing’s growing confidence. thecipherbrief.com/the-g2-ta…

Two straits and two very different uses of power. Hormuz proves geography can reshape the global economy. The Øresund strait could pressure Russia's war machine without firing a shot. Sweden and Denmark hold the keys. Read more in The Cipher Brief. thecipherbrief.com/sweden-de…

Iran doesn’t need to cripple the U.S. grid to create pressure. Small disruptions at scale can erode public confidence without crossing military red lines. Read more. thecipherbrief.com/iran-digi…