The Cipher Brief

The Department of War has just executed the most ambitious acquisition reform in six decades. It scrapped JCIDS — the requirements process that ossified innovation for a generation; replaced program offices with portfolio executives, and built a Warfighting Acquisition System designed for speed. The changes deliver on years of reform proposals.

Global Intelligence Report for Thursday, July 16, 2026 Trump leans toward expanding U.S. military operations in Iran Vance says some in Israeli government sought to sway U.S. on deal with Tehran White House weighs releasing intel on China and U.S. elections, with Trump expected to allege Chinese meddling Thousands of Ukrainians protest after dismissal of Defense Minister Fedorov amid political tensions

It was with alarm that I read the recent New York Times article reporting the regurgitation of a truly terrible idea that, like a bad meal, continues to come up every several years.

Tell the Russian people about the carnage in Russia’s war with Ukraine. Tell them about the Russian lives lost and the crushing financial cost of a five-year invasion of a sovereign nation. Former President Ronald Reagan ensured that he got information into the former Soviet Union to truthfully speak to the people about their government’s lies about the cost – in lives and money – of their war in Afghanistan.

Global Intelligence Report for Wednesday, July 15, 2026 Trump scraps contentious fee plan for Strait of Hormuz after wave of appeals Trump tells Netanyahu to move Israeli forces out of Syria and Lebanon U.S. Coast Guard expanding operations in disputed waters as challenge to Chinese power NATO member Lithuania says Russia is planning attacks on infrastructure

The collapse of Afghanistan in August 2021 is still widely interpreted as a military or political failure. That interpretation is incomplete. Afghanistan collapsed because it lost the cognitive war long before it lost territory. Inside the system, we did not face a simple insurgency. We faced a persistent contest over how reality was defined, how legitimacy was perceived, and how decisions were made. The Taliban did not defeat the Afghan state by force alone.

NATO’s European Test: Ukraine, Russia and the Future of the Alliance State Secrets is a weekly interview podcast featuring Cipher Brief experts and national security leaders. Speaking from the NATO summit in Ankara, Nick Fishwick assesses the alliance’s most urgent challenges, from Europe’s push to increase defense spending to the need for greater intelligence sharing and military interoperability.

Skip to content Your Trusted Source for National Security News & Analysis July 14th, 2026 | 09:09 PM Search & Section Navigation Open Search Home > What’s on The Cipher Brief’s Digital Channel Load more

Global Intelligence Report for Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Trump says clashes with Iran have resumed, orders blockade and tolls for Strait of Hormuz Saudi crown prince received U.S. backing for risky strikes on Yemen’s Houthis Senate looks to honor Graham with Russia sanctions How Putin has gone from Xi’s role model to a junior partner

“In addition to supporting OEF (Operation Epic Fury, the Iran War) costs incurred by DOW (Department of War), the [$87.6 billion Fiscal Year FY 2026 Supplemental Trump administration] request provides $768 million to the Department of Energy to support nuclear and other energy security requirements, primarily for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) for OEF-related activities.” I was intrigued by that segment, from a June 24 letter to House Speaker Rep.