The Cipher Brief

Global Intelligence Report for Thursday, March 19, 2026. Check out the top stories. thecipherbrief.com/report/global-…

More than half of China’s top military leadership is gone. Xi Jinping’s sweeping purge is raising serious questions about PLA readiness and Taiwan plans. Read more at the Cipher Brief. #China #PLA #Taiwan thecipherbrief.com/chinas-militar…

Weakened, fragmented, but still dangerous. Iran’s regional network is shifting as groups balance survival, politics, and militancy. thecipherbrief.com/irans-axis-of-…

What if analysts could search the globe with a sentence from an intelligence report? A new proposal argues that a multi-modal GEOINT foundation model could transform how the U.S. detects threats and understands the world. thecipherbrief.com/multi-modal-fo…

“Digital Dominance” may be the key to future national power. Experts say the U.S. must rethink how it defends itself and operates in cyberspace. Read more. #Technology #Security #AI thecipherbrief.com/america-is-dig…

What happens if Iran continues to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz? Norm Roule explains the coalition challenge, the military risks, and why the waterway matters to the global economy. thecipherbrief.com/at-the-center-…

Global Intelligence Report for Monday, March 16, 2026 thecipherbrief.com/report/global-…

What did Beijing learn from the Iran conflict? The PLA published a striking list of “Five Lessons” that experts say offers insight into how China views U.S. military power and future war. Read the analysis. #ChinaMilitary #NationalSecurity thecipherbrief.com/chinas-militar…

Ukraine’s battlefield is rewriting the rules of war. Cheap drones are destroying million-dollar systems and forcing rapid changes in military doctrine. Veterans working on the front lines warn Washington must adapt now. Read the full column. thecipherbrief.com/the-future-of-…

Who comes after Vladimir Putin? With no clear line of succession in the Kremlin, several possible scenarios could shape Russia’s leadership once the current ruler leaves power. Read the analysis. #Russia #Putin #Geopolitics #NationalSecurity thecipherbrief.com/after-the-war-…

Global Intelligence Report for Wednesday, March 11, 2026 thecipherbrief.com/report/global-…

President Trump says the U.S. must quadruple production of advanced “exquisite class” weapons. The move reflects growing concerns about depleted missile and interceptor stockpiles. Read the full analysis. thecipherbrief.com/americas-exqui…

General Scott Miller (ret.), former Commander of U.S. Joint Special Operations Command is watching the indicators that matter most in the Middle East right now. Read his piece in today’s Cipher Brief. thecipherbrief.com/the-wars-next-…

From Ukrainian quadcopters destroying tanks to Iranian drones across the Middle East, the spread of drone technology is reshaping modern warfare. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP via Getty Images) thecipherbrief.com/cheap-drones-e…

Global Intelligence Report for Sunday, March 8, 2026 thecipherbrief.com/report/global-…

Iran’s response to U.S. and Israeli strikes reflects a long-standing doctrine of asymmetric warfare and ideological resilience. What does this mean for the future of the Abraham Accords and regional stability? thecipherbrief.com/iran-war-leade…

After reports the U.S. eliminated an HVT linked to an alleged plot against President Trump, this Cipher Brief DEEP DIVE from '24 is newly relevant. Years ago, court filings detailed how Iran’s IRGC allegedly outsourced assassination plots — including one targeting Trump. Context matters. Read more: thecipherbrief.com/inside-irans-a… #Iran #IRGC #NatSec

The Strait of Hormuz is seizing up. After Operation Epic Fury, ~20% of global oil flows are frozen. 150+ tankers idle. Insurers pulling coverage. Full analysis for Subscriber+ Members. #StraitOfHormuz #EnergySecurity thecipherbrief.com/strait-of-horm…

After unprecedented U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, what comes next? Former National Intelligence Manager for Iran Norm Roule breaks down escalation risks, regime stability, and the signals experts should be watching. thecipherbrief.com/after-the-stri…

Are we handing warfighters AI tools with the strategic safeties off? A former NGA Chief AI Officer argues that only rigorous, mission-specific testing can prevent a Red October moment in national security. thecipherbrief.com/breaking-down-…