The Cipher Brief

Former Senior #CIA Officer Glenn Corn talks exclusively with The Cipher Brief about President Trump on Russia and Putin back in 2017 and what he believes are President #Trump’s strongest levers of influence today when it comes to forcing #Putin to end his war in Ukraine. #TheCipherBrief

7/15 Behind-the-scenes images from The Cipher Brief’s trip to Ukraine in May. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to live in a heavily populated city where you hope your children can be safe, this is the reality in Ukraine. Aerial attacks on major population centers day and night. This was one that greeted us as we checked in to our hotel. It’s hard to imagine how stressful it must be to live like this - knowing that you and your children are in the crosshairs at any given moment - day or night. Last Friday’s horrific attack and the stories of the victims really brings home that Putin’s war on Ukraine to ‘cleanse it of Nazis’ is pathetic cover for what Russia is really doing here. What would you do if this happened where you live? I’m interested to hear.

The Trump AI Deals in the Gulf: Measuring the Value Against the Security Concerns Experts see both upside and danger in the AI mega deals done during the president’s visit. #TheCipherBrief

A Short Diary from Ukraine’s War: One American’s Story from Kyiv. #TheCipherBrief

Ukraine’s capacity to innovate for war needs, especially when it comes to drones, has been lauded the world over. Many experts say that with its rate of innovation, Ukraine is shaping the future of warfare. However, some say it’s not the complete success story it may seem to be.   “Ukrainian ingenuity has exploded since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022,” Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Ret.) Joey Gagnard, writes in today’s Cipher Brief, “but what I have seen convinces me that #Ukraine isn’t the straightforward blueprint for the future of unmanned systems warfare that many believe it to be.” Gagnard argues that for all the successes in specific technological areas, “decisive advantage” comes not from fielding the most advanced systems, but applying them to an approach for strategic victory. “It’s not about isolated pieces of technology,” Gagnard writes. “Victory will go to whichever side masters the art of weaving all their assets—drones, sensors, troops, and intelligence—into a single, coherent fighting system. The power of future unmanned technology won’t be in the individual brilliance of the machines, but in our ability to choreograph, making every capability coalesce into a single, devastating strategic focus across the battlespace. That’s where the fight for the future lies.” Read Gagnard’s full reflection in #thecipherbrief 

OPINION -- Ceasefires, diplomacy, and unexpected alliances — President Trump’s second term is rewriting America’s global role. Why one expert says peace may be his greatest legacy yet. Read more at #TheCipherBrief & subscribe for exclusive insight.

The President’s Daily Brief: No Assembly Required? New questions about the production - and consumption - of the President's Daily Brief. #TheCipherBrief

6/15 Behind-the-scenes pics and videos from The Cipher Brief's latest trip to Kyiv. One of the things that strikes me every time I come to Kyiv, is the determination of Ukrainians to maintain some resemblance of normal life. It's bizarre that you still have all of the luxuries of a modern European city, but that behind the curtain are cities that are being bombarded by missiles and drones day and night. And three years into this war, nearly every Ukrainian you meet - whether on the sidewalk, in a restaurant or at my favorite sidewalk coffee ship - is related to someone who has fought in this brutal war. They are all affected in ways that we just can't imagine. Every time I have a moment of quiet on our trips (which isn't often) I let that sink in. #ukraine #thecipherbrief

Why Poland is Critical – For Ukraine and Europe’s Defense  Poland has won praise for its military, and for “getting Russia right” #TheCipherBrief

How the U.S. is Tapping a Much Bigger Well in The Middle East' And why Beijing isn't happy about it #TheCipherBrief