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The Cipher Brief: National Security news, analysis and expert commentary.

Report for Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Hegseth did not inform White House before pausing weapon shipments to Ukraine

White House Weighs Giving Ukraine Another Patriot Air-Defense System

European intelligence officials warn that a Russian sabotage campaign is escalating

Trump, Netanyahu meet a second time as gaps said to narrow in Gaza ceasefire talks

Taiwan launches 10-day military drills to counter Chinese threats

Access the Report
As Taiwan Launches Military Drills, a Pressing Question for Washington
TAIPEI, TAIWAN —Taiwan’s annual military exercise launching this week, will be its largest ever, mobilizing more than 22,000 reservists in response [...] More

The Experts

Cipher Brief Experts bring context to today’s global events

The Real Impact of a Nuclear Bomb

Walter Pincus

FINE PRINT / OPINION — “This report explores the environmental effects and societal and economic consequences that would be expected to follow in the [...] More

Expert Q&A: What to Watch for at the Trump-Netanyahu Meeting

Ambassador Gary Grappo

EXPERT Q&A — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington D.C. on Monday to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House — [...] More

News & Analysis

Can President Trump Get a "Big, Beautiful" Deal in the Middle East?

Can President Trump Get a "Big, Beautiful" Deal in the Middle East?

CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING – When Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump meet at the White House Monday, they will bring different ideas for resolving two [...] More

Opinion

U.S. Cyber Defense Starts with Defining Standards and Driving Collaboration

OPINION — President Donald J. Trump has returned to office with the renewed revelations that Chinese government-affiliated hackers continue to [...] More

What’s on The Cipher Brief’s Digital Channel

The Problem with Iran’s Proxies

Interview with Glenn Corn, Former Senior CIA Officer

Lessons from Israel’s Stunning Intelligence Operation

Interview with Beth Sanner, Former Deputy Director for National Intelligence, ODNI

When it Comes to Iran, “We Have Plans”

Interview with General Frank McKenzie (Ret.), Former Commander, U.S. Central Command

Iran’s Next Move

Interview with Norm Roule, Middle East Expert, Former National Intelligence Manager for Iran, ODNI

Book Reviews

IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION: We’re wishing the U.S. a very happy birthday and sending our gratitude to those who are working overseas to help keep the homeland safe. In this week’s collection, a look at what some of those troops are doing in the Middle East, we think we found the pilot with the coolest call sign and we’re not gonna tell you what to read this summer, but we will tell you what the experts are reading.WHAT ARE ALL THOSE U.S. TROOPS DOING IN THE MIDDLE EAST: Serving overseas can be a dangerous job, as we were reminded after the U.S. strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities, when fears were heightened that U.S. [...] More

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Events

Live Events

Threat Conference

101days 10hrs 47mins 04secs

Threat Conference

Cipher Brief sessions are expertly crafted and focused on ways the public and private sectors can most efficiently work together to address key [...] More

Upcoming: 19 October, 2025

Podcasts

State Secrets



Writing a book was something former senior CIA Officer Rob Dannenberg never thought he’d do, but as he started reflecting on the ways he and his former colleagues would celebrate the successful recruitment of a new agent or the end of an operation that he couldn’t talk about, he started thinking about the cocktails he and his colleagues would order to mark the occasion. Dannenberg recruited former colleague Joseph Mullin, CSW to help him compile not only the best recipes for the cocktails that defined their careers, but also for the stories that make them all the tastier.

Cover Stories: Spies, Books & Entertainment


Martin Dugard is an enormously prolific, best-selling author. In addition to ten mega-million selling books co-authored with Bill O’Reilly, He has authored a fistful of books about World War II including “Taking London,” “Taking Berlin” and “Taking Paris.” Now he is back with “Taking Midway: Naval Warfare, Secret Codes, and the Battle That Turned the Tide of World War II.” Podcast host Bill Harlow will talk with him about his sources and methods for cranking out so many deeply researched and well-received books – and what the world should know about a crusty 4-star admiral and a quirky Navy commander who combined to surprise the Imperial Japanese Navy and the world in one of the most consequential naval battles in history.