The Cipher Brief

04/29/2026

Access is power - and increasingly, it’s a vulnerability.

Former U.S. Army Judge Advocate Officer Geoffrey Corn explains how sensitive information can be exploited in new ways - from insider misuse to betting markets that reveal intent without ever exposing classified material.

The laws haven’t caught up - but the risks are growing.

04/10/2026

The Cipher Brief’s Nightcap isn’t just another newsletter — it’s where the national security community goes to make sense of the day.

Nearly 30,000 subscribers — including senior intel & military officials, policymakers, and global executives — depend on it for concise, trusted insight at the intersection of geopolitics, intelligence, and emerging threats.

From high-stakes shifts in Ukraine policy to the expanding role of cyber and AI in modern conflict, Nightcap delivers clarity when it matters most.

No fluff. No wasted time. Just what you need to know before tomorrow starts.

And it’s completely free.

If you’re serious about understanding the world — this is where you start.

👉 Join the readers who already know. Subscribe now.

Subscribe – TheCipherBrief

04/07/2026

NEW EPISODE: Inside Russian Intelligence: CIA Insider on Putin’s Playbook, Ukraine & the Next War.

Former CIA Senior Operations Officer Sean Wiswesser joins State Secrets to break down how Russian intelligence really operates - and why the threat is more serious than most Americans understand.

Drawing on decades of experience targeting Moscow’s intelligence services, Wiswesser explains how Russia blends Cold War tradecraft with modern tools like cyber operations, AI-driven influence campaigns, and hybrid warfare. From election interference to the war in Ukraine, he outlines how the Kremlin is working to weaken the United States and its allies - often below the threshold of open conflict.
The conversation also explores Russia’s relationship with Iran, the evolution of espionage tactics, and why intelligence - not just military force - will define the next global conflict.

If you want to understand how adversaries operate in the gray zone - and what it means for U.S. national security - this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

WATCH HERE: https://youtu.be/YwgLAM3e7d8

00:00 – Intro: Inside Russian Intelligence
01:30 – Russia, Iran, and Strategic Interests
05:30 – How Russian Intelligence Really Works
10:30 – Election Interference & “Active Measures”
16:00 – Cold War Tradecraft vs Modern Tech
20:30 – Ukraine War: Intelligence Failures & Adaptation
26:30 – Why Americans Misunderstand the Threat
31:00 – Is the U.S. Losing the Information War?
34:30 – Final Thoughts: The Next Conflict

02/28/2026

“Don’t go in without an end game.” It’s a phrase we’ve heard since 2003.

Former National Intelligence Manager for Iran Norm Roule explains why demanding a perfect end-state before action may be unrealistic — and why what really matters is architecture, readiness, and the ability to adapt when plans fail at first contact.

War is unpredictable. Structure is everything.

For deeper expert-driven analysis, visit TheCipherBrief.com and join Subscriber+.

02/13/2026

Former CIA Director and Commander of U.S. Central Command General David Petraeus joins The Cipher Brief from the Munich Security Conference with a stark assessment of the wars reshaping global security.

Fresh from his ninth trip to Ukraine, Petraeus describes a nation enduring a brutal winter under relentless Russian strikes - while simultaneously transforming the future of warfare. From seven million drones projected for production this year to the creation of an Unmanned Systems Force and a rapidly evolving military-industrial ecosystem, Ukraine is not just surviving - it is innovating at wartime speed.

Petraeus outlines why crushing Russia’s war economy through sanctions, cutting Chinese component flows, and sustaining Western support could force a meaningful shift in Moscow’s calculus. He also warns that NATO must avoid investing in “yesterday’s technology for tomorrow’s wars” and instead overhaul doctrine, organization, and procurement to reflect the battlefield lessons unfolding in real time.

Beyond Ukraine, Petraeus weighs in on mounting tensions with Iran, the U.S. military posture in the Middle East, Europe’s accelerating defense commitments, and the growing strategic competition with China - from AI and productivity to electric vehicles and trade friction.

His bottom line: Hard is not hopeless. But what happens next depends on what the United States and its allies choose to do now.

Subscribe to The Cipher Brief for expert-driven national security insights you won’t find anywhere else.

02/07/2026

If you care about staying informed on what’s actually happening in the world, keep reading.
Because staying informed takes work.

You can’t rely on a single channel, one podcast, or an algorithmically-fed news feed — especially at the pace of global change we’re seeing right now. But keeping up with the most consequential developments around the world just got a lot easier.

The Cipher Brief’s Open Source Report is your personal daily intelligence briefing — a fast, expert-curated scan of what happened in the last 24 hours and why it matters.

Trusted by former directors of intelligence agencies, generals, admirals, and CEOs, the Open Source Report is the premier unclassified daily read for professionals who don’t have time for noise.

No fluff.
Just what happened. From around the world.

Start your workday with a quick read of the events shaping intelligence, defense, and global policy — and walk into the room already informed.

Unlock expert intelligence: your gateway to exclusive security insights trusted by global leaders The Cipher Brief is an in-depth, expert-driven, digital news site that reports on and analyzes issues for an audience that requires a more informed understanding of risk, whether it’s in t...

02/07/2026

Double agents aren’t a tactic for Russian intelligence—they’re doctrine.
This week’s Kremlin Files explains how Moscow uses operational games to manufacture threats, mislead the West, and justify power at home.

If you work in national security, this is required reading.

➡️ Read more at The Cipher Brief. https://www.thecipherbrief.com/the-kremlin-files-russian-double-agents-and-operational-games

01/27/2026

The Cipher Brief is honored to recognize Gilman Louie for his transformative impact at the intersection of national security, technology, and investment.

As an early CEO of In-Q-Tel, a Commissioner on the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, and a longtime advisor across the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense, Gilman has helped shape how the United States identifies, invests in, and deploys emerging technologies critical to national security.

His leadership continues today through America’s Frontier Fund and his service as Chairman of the National Intelligence University and the Federation of American Scientists. Few leaders have so decisively influenced America’s innovation advantage in an era of strategic competition.

Learn more about the 2026 Cipher Brief HONORS Awards, and reserve your spot at: https://www.cipherbriefhonors.com

01/23/2026

Honoring a quiet professional who changed how America fights and wins.

Janet M. Braun spent nearly four decades advancing airborne intelligence and counterterrorism operations, leading high-impact ISR missions across the globe during the post-9/11 era. Her leadership and innovation left a lasting mark on U.S. national security—and on the professionals who carried out the mission.

Learn more and secure your spot at: https://www.cipherbriefhonors.com

01/13/2026

We’re proud to announce that General (Ret.) Paul Nakasone, will receive the Impact Through Cyber Award at the 2026 Cipher Brief Honors Awards.

As former Director of the NSA and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command, General Nakasone helped redefine how the United States defends itself in cyberspace—strengthening deterrence, resilience, and intelligence integration at a pivotal moment for national security.

Learn more about how to attend the 2026 Cipher Brief Honors Awards at www.cipherbriefhonors.com.

01/13/2026

If you are planning to be in Las Vegas for this year's SHOT show, here's an event you should check out. Will no doubt be a very interesting evening. Co-hosted by the Special Forces Trust and the SEAL Future Foundation. Info on how you can register & attend is below.

Hey Las Vegas locals and friends who will be in town for SHOT Show - You won’t want to miss this!!!

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now!!! https://secure.qgiv.com/for/shotshow/

Grit meets greatness at Legacies Hard to Kill — an exclusive evening at the Legacy Club Vegas at Circa Las Vegas featuring elite warriors for the Army Green Berets - MSG(R) Earl Plumlee, MOH and Lead Faucet Tactical's SGM(R) Dan Brokos, and Navy SEAL communities, as well as MMA legends Randy "The Natural" Couture and Dan Henderson!

Hosted by Special Forces Trust and SEAL Future Foundation, along with The Cipher Brief, this one-of-a-kind night brings together the communities who live the warrior ethos.