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April 13th, 2026 | 02:31 PM
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 Is the U.S. lagging when it comes to drone warfare superiority?
 
 
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 Is the U.S. lagging when it comes to drone warfare superiority?
 </span></h1><div class=”widget__subheadline”><h2 class=”widget__subheadline-text h2″ data-type=”text”/><p><strong>After years of observing from afar, the U.S. is now confronting the economic and operational realities of drone warfare in real time.</strong><strong/></p></div><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>13 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”widget__shares share-panel”><!– TWITTER –><button data-href=”https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.thecipherbrief.com/us-lagging-drone-warfare-superiority&;text=Is%20the%20U.S.%20lagging%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20drone%20warfare%20superiority%3F&;” target=”_blank” data-track-share=”Twitter” class=”share share-popup share-tw” aria-label=” Share on Twitter”><i aria-hidden=”true” class=”icons-share tw fa fa-twitter”/></button><!– PINTEREST –><button data-href=”https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecipherbrief.com%2Fus-lagging-drone-warfare-superiority&;media=https%3A//www.thecipherbrief.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy82NTUxNDA0Ny9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTc4MzMwODc0MX0.7MvBcmoyi07zlXZT9Gnq_8jeQSka34uSY5KgmcYDQBc/image.jpg%3Fwidth%3D600&;description=Is%20the%20U.S.%20lagging%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20drone%20warfare%20superiority%3F” data-track-share=”Pinterest” class=”share share-pinterest share-popup” aria-label=”Save to Pinterest”><i aria-hidden=”true” class=”icons-share pt fa fa-pinterest”/></button><!– LINKEDIN –><button data-href=”https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=false&;url=https://www.thecipherbrief.com/us-lagging-drone-warfare-superiority&;” class=”share share-popup share-linkedin” data-track-share=”Linkedin” aria-label=”Share on Linkedin”><i aria-hidden=”true” class=”icons-share fa fa-linkedin”/></button><!– FACEBOOK –><button data-href=”https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecipherbrief.com%2Fus-lagging-drone-warfare-superiority%3Fxrs%3DRebelMouse_fb%26ts%3D1776101808″ data-track-share=”Facebook” class=”share share-popup share-fb” aria-label=”Share on Facebook”><i aria-hidden=”true” class=”icons-share fb fa fa-facebook”/></button></div></div><div class=”widget__head”><img src=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/media-library/drones-spotted-being-used-illegally.jpg?id=65514047&;width=1200&;height=861″/><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″/></div><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″><div class=”all-related-sections”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/tech-cyber”>Tech/Cyber</a></div></div></div></div></article></div></div></div></div><div class=”photo-caption”><p>Two DJI drones fly above the ground on January 2, 2025 in Glastonbury, England. Recently a number of drones have been spotted being used illegally over four air bases used by the US Air Force (USAF) in the UK, RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, RAF Feltwell in Norfolk and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. (Photo by Anna Barclay/Getty Images)</p></div><div class=”post-author-list”><div class=”post-author”><div class=”author_image”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/hollie-mckay”><img lazy-loadable=”true” alt=”Hollie McKay” height=”60″ width=”60″ data-runner-src=”https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy82MTA3NDA4My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTc4MzEzNTc5MX0.CjihxArfmwIlksXy6dhIjaqjVjKJF-D5ecT3UB6O89k/img.jpg”/></a></div><div class=”author_details”><div class=”author_title”>
 By
 <a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/hollie-mckay” class=”author_title-underlined”>Hollie McKay</a></div><div class=”author_caption”>Contributing Cipher Brief Reporter</div><div class=”author_about_html”>Hollie McKay is a Cipher Brief contributing writer, war crimes investigator, and author of “Only Cry for the Living: Memos from Inside the ISIS Battlefield”. She previously worked as an investigative and international affairs/war correspondent for Fox News Digital for over fourteen years with a focus on war, terrorism, and crimes against humanity.</div></div></div></div></div><div class=”post-with-sticky-share” id=”sPost_Default_Layout_0_0_16_0_0_1_0_7_1_0_0_0_0_0_1″><div class=”mb-2 article post-body-wrap post-shares-mobile” id=”sPost_Default_Layout_0_0_16_0_0_1_0_7_1_0_0_0_0_0_1_0″><div class=”posts-custom posts-custom-section section-holder clearfix” data-block=”None” data-format=”posts-custom” data-source=”current_post” data-source-type=”current_post” data-source-unique=”true” data-section-id=”” data-is-reordable=”false” data-using-stickers=”false” data-has-more=”false” data-attr-format=”posts-custom” data-attr-posts_id=”sPost_Default_Layout_0_0_16_0_0_1_0_7_1_0_0_0_0_0_1_0″ data-attr-layout_quality=”5″ data-attr-header_template=”jinja/post/custom-css.html” data-attr-node_id=”/root/blocks/block[post_default_layout]/abtests/abtest[1]/rm_tabs/rm_wrapper[1]/element_wrapper/row/column[1]/choose/when[(not_is_authenticated_and_post.id_!=_2673875055_and_not_post.roar_specific_data.exclude_from_paywall)]/choose/when[(2271744428_in_post.sections_or_post.roar_specific_data.paid_content)]/element_wrapper[2]/current_post[1]-” data-attr-layout_all_headline_tag=”h1″ data-attr-layout_all_subheadline_tag=”h2″ data-attr-all_element_order=”body” data-attr-layout_body=”bottom” data-attr-disable_a_tag=”true” data-attr-data-rm-advanced=”true” data-attr-use_smart_keep_reading=”true” data-attr-element_classes=”article post-body-wrap post-shares-mobile” data-attr-all_share_buttons=”Twitter,Pinterest,Linkedin,Facebook,Separator,Email,Tumblr,GooglePlus,Whatsapp,Reddit,CopyLink,Flipboard,SMS,Slack” data-attr-layout_linkedin=”active” data-attr-layout_separator=”inactive” data-attr-layout_tumblr=”inactive” data-attr-layout_googleplus=”inactive” data-attr-layout_pinterest=”active” data-attr-layout_whatsapp=”inactive” data-attr-layout_reddit=”inactive” data-attr-layout_copylink=”inactive” data-attr-layout_flipboard=”inactive” data-attr-layout_sms=”inactive” data-attr-layout_slack=”inactive” data-attr-use_tag_image_for_lead_media=”true” data-attr-layout_all_date_format=”%d %B, %Y” data-attr-layout_remove_image=”true” data-attr-layout_email=”inactive” data-attr-filters=”” data-attr-section_url=”” data-attr-source=”” data-attr-is_current_post=”true”><div class=”posts-wrapper clearfix”><div class=”widget post-partial tag-military tag-washington tag-pentagon tag-shahed-drones tag-iran tag-ukraine tag-drones” data-category=”Hollie McKay”><article elid=”2676706223″ data-frozen-sections=”[]” class=”clearfix image-article sm-mb-1 quality-HD post-2676706223″><div class=”row px10″><div class=”rm-col-center col sm-mb-1″ style=”width:100.0%;”><div class=”widget__head”/><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″><span class=”js-scroll-trigger” data-target=”body” data-triggers=”render-rebelbar” data-toggle-class=”with-floating-shares”/><div id=”utm_campaign”/><div class=”body js-expandable clearfix js-listicle-body css-listicle-body-2676706223″ data-headline=”Is the U.S. lagging when it comes to drone warfare superiority?”><div class=”body-description”><div class=”widget__brief”><p>When Iranian Shahed <a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/tag/drones”>drones</a> began tearing through the Gulf in the opening hours of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, killing American service members and overwhelming allied air defenses, Washington faced an uncomfortable revelation. The most powerful <a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/military”>military</a> in the world was flying into its first major drone war, having studied the problem primarily from afar, and had recently dismissed an offer from the one country that had been living in it for four years.</p><p>Nearly seven months before the bombing of <a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/middle-east/iran”>Iran</a> began, Ukrainian officials had<a href=”https://www.axios.com/2026/03/10/us-ukraine-anti-drone-offer” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>offered</u></a> the <a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/americas/north-america/united-states”>United States</a> their battle-tested technology for downing Iranian-made attack drones. The Trump administration passed. American officials now describe that decision as one of the costliest tactical mistakes of the war. They prepared a detailed<a href=”https://www.axios.com/2026/03/13/ukraine-drone-technology-us-iran-shahed” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>presentation</u></a> displaying a map of the <a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/tag/middle-east”>Middle East</a> with a stark warning: Iran is improving its Shahed one-way-attack drone design.</p></div><div class=”content-container”/><div class=”js-appear-on-expand”><template><p>The Trump administration<a href=”https://www.axios.com/2026/03/10/us-ukraine-anti-drone-offer” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>dismissed</u></a> the offer, then reversed course after Iranian drones began<a href=”https://www.axios.com/2026/03/10/us-ukraine-anti-drone-offer” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>killing</u></a> Americans.</p><p>The cost was measured almost immediately in blood and treasure. In the first two days of the war alone, the U.S. burned through a reported $5.6<a href=”https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/28/iran-war-defense-tech-drones-trump-hegseth.html” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>billion</u></a> in munitions. The <a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/tag/pentagon”>Pentagon</a> fired more than 850 Tomahawk missiles in five weeks of Operation Epic Fury alone — roughly a<a href=”https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/03/27/iran-war-tomahawk-missiles/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>quarter</u></a> of the total United States inventory, according to analysts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, at a<a href=”https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-tomahawks-iran-war-faster-than-stockpile-refilled/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>cost</u></a> of approximately $3 billion, given a unit price of up to $3.6 million per missile.</p><p>Washington initially ordered 350 Tomahawks for 2026, which it has since<a href=”https://www.rtx.com/news/news-center/2026/02/04/rtxs-raytheon-partners-with-department-of-war-on-five-landmark-agreements-to-exp” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>increased</u></a> to more than 1,000 annually under new framework agreements with Raytheon. However, timelines for achieving that rate remain unclear, and the U.S. has already<a href=”https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-tomahawks-iran-war-faster-than-stockpile-refilled/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>expended</u></a> more than 850 Tomahawks in the first five weeks of the campaign alone.</p><p>The economics were brutal from the start: shooting down $20,000 drones with multimillion-dollar interceptors is unsustainable against a comparatively modest adversary like Iran and becomes completely unthinkable in a scenario involving <a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/asia/china”>China</a> or <a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/europe/russia”>Russia</a>.</p><p><strong>The new drone powers — and America's place among them</strong></p><p>Low-cost, mass-produced drone warfare is reshaping every modern battlefield — and America is not leading it. Iran, Russia, and <a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/europe/ukraine”>Ukraine</a> have each shown they can turn out drones by the tens of thousands annually, in some cases pushing toward millions. The United States has not come close.</p><p>Iran's Shahed-136 loitering munition, costing between $20,000 and $50,000 per unit, has become one of the defining weapons of the 21st-century battlefield. Iran supplied the design to Russia, which built its own production<a href=”https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/gulf-nations-trying-to-reach-out-for-ukrainian-counter-drone-capability/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>ecosystem</u></a>. Russia's domestically produced variant has since taken on a life of its own — navigation systems<a href=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HESA_Shahed_136″ rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>upgraded</u></a>, warhead capacity expanded, and by early 2026,<a href=”https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/29/europe/russia-starlink-drones” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>Starlink</u></a> connectivity folded in. Moscow has set a production<a href=”https://theconversation.com/russias-drone-pipeline-how-iran-helps-moscow-produce-an-ever-evolving-unmanned-fleet-272016″ rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>target</u></a> of up to 1,000 Geran-2 drones per day.</p><p>Ukraine, forced into innovation by necessity, became the world's most experienced practitioner of both drone attack and drone defense. More than 160 drone manufacturers operating in Ukraine<a href=”https://www.rnbo.gov.ua/en/Diialnist/7370.html” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>have pledged</u></a> to deliver 8 million first-person-view drones in 2026 alone. Over<a href=”https://www.kyivpost.com/post/68951″ rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>80 percent</u></a> of Russian battlefield casualties are now inflicted by Ukrainian drones, while a drone-dominated<a href=”https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-drone-innovation-helps-level-battlefield-war-with-russia-60-minutes-transcript/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>kill zone</u></a> stretching roughly ten miles either side of the front lines makes any major offensive operation extraordinarily hazardous.</p><p>America went into the Iran war with its own version of the Shahed — a drone called<a href=”https://abcnews.com/Politics/iran-strike-pentagons-1st-1-drones-centcom/story?id=130630582″ rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>LUCAS</u></a>, built by Arizona startup<a href=”https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/02/28/us-confirms-first-combat-use-of-lucas-one-way-attack-drone-in-iran-strikes/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>SpektreWorks</u></a> from a reverse-engineered Iranian airframe, priced at $35,000 a unit. It saw its first confirmed combat use on February 28. Full-rate<a href=”https://www.twz.com/news-features/u-s-military-has-used-long-range-kamikaze-drones-in-combat-for-the-first-time” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>production</u></a>, however, had not yet begun.</p><p>The strategic irony was not lost on analysts: America struck Iran using a weapon derived almost entirely from Iran's own signature strike<a href=”https://www.euronews.com/2026/03/10/flm-136-americas-cheap-iran-designed-shahed-drone-clone” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>platform</u></a>.</p><p>Kate Bondar, a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, tells <em><em>The Cipher Brief</em></em> the gap, however, runs deeper than raw production numbers.</p><p>“The gap is very real, especially in the category that matters most in modern attritional warfare: cheap, expendable, and rapidly replaceable systems,†she said, noting that to truly integrate first-person-view drones into operations, “volumes need to reach into the millions.â€</p><p>Current U.S. plans for roughly 300,000 small drones by 2027 are a step forward, Bondar observed, but “still fall short of what this kind of warfare demands.â€</p><div class=”embed-related”/><p><strong>The Ukrainian classroom</strong></p><p>While Washington spent years deliberating over acquisition timelines, Kyiv was building the most combat-tested drone force on earth. Ukraine's intercept rate against Shahed-class drones now<a href=”https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/3/20/ukraine-sends-advisers-to-gulf-as-it-counterattacks-russian-forces-in-south” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>approaches</u></a> 90 percent — and Kyiv is aiming for 95.</p><p>Russia has launched<a href=”https://www.kyivpost.com/post/71888″ rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>nearly</u></a> 57,000 Shahed-type drones at Ukrainian cities across four years of war. The low-cost defensive solutions Ukraine developed, however, were never replicated across Gulf nations or by the American military in the region. When Iran's drones began arriving in mass, the United States was left<a href=”https://warontherocks.com/2026/03/lessons-from-ukraine-for-defending-gulf-airspace-from-shaheds/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>improvising</u></a>.</p><p>One Ukrainian drone specialist, speaking to <em><em>The Cipher Brief</em></em> at the Ground War symposium in Washington, explained that only three countries on the planet can fight with drones efficiently — Iran, Russia, and Ukraine.</p><p>“Americans have helped to produce these interceptors, but they don't have the experience of applying them,†the military specialist, identified only as Yuri, noted. “Only those engaged directly in warfare, like Ukraine, have the understanding and intuition of how to apply new technology. And it's changing every single day.â€</p><p>Yuri, who came to the Ukrainian military with a background in IT and <a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/tag/cybersecurity”>cybersecurity</a>, described a feedback loop that American procurement culture has never had to replicate.</p><p>“The best way is close communication between manufacturers and the military,†he continued. “After using different types of drones or technologies, they need to provide fast feedback to manufacturers. These cycles of upgrades need to take a very short time. That's why our drones are always up to date.â€</p><p>Ukraine has now<a href=”https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2026/03/20/ukraine-deploys-units-to-5-middle-east-countries-to-intercept-drones/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>deployed</u></a> 228 counter-drone specialists across five regional partners — Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, <a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/middle-east/saudi-arabia”>Saudi Arabia</a>, and Kuwait. Ukrainian specialists have also been dispatched to protect American military bases in Jordan, with Zelensky<a href=”https://kyivindependent.com/trump-ukraine-drone-defenses/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>confirming</u></a> that more than ten countries had requested Kyiv's assistance. Trump initially<a href=”https://kyivindependent.com/trump-ukraine-drone-defenses/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>rebuffed</u></a> the offer.</p><p>“We don't need their help in drone defense,†he told<a href=”https://www.kyivpost.com/post/71904″ rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>Fox</u></a> News. “We know more about drones than anybody. We have the best drones in the world, actually.â€</p><p>Days later, Washington reversed course.</p><p><strong>Catching up — at war speed</strong></p><p>To its credit, the Pentagon has moved with unusual urgency since the gap became undeniable. Travis Metz, the Pentagon's drone dominance program<a href=”https://www.meritalk.com/articles/pentagon-to-deliver-small-drones-to-17-military-units-this-month/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>manager</u></a>, told senators that the Defense Department has<a href=”https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/drone-dominance-pentagon-to-order-30000-one-way-drones-in-next-few-days/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>committed</u></a> $1.1 billion to buy drone systems over the next 18 months, including 30,000 small, one-way attack drones to be delivered to military units over the next five months. The broader Drone Dominance Program aims to acquire more than<a href=”https://defensescoop.com/2026/02/13/military-drone-dominance-program-competition/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>300,000</u></a> low-cost drones by 2027, with the FY2026 defense budget<a href=”https://defensescoop.com/2025/06/26/dod-fy26-budget-request-autonomy-unmanned-systems/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>allocating</u></a> $13.4 billion for autonomous military systems.</p><p>Bondar, however, warns that ambition and production are different things.</p><p>“Success in this space depends on constant iteration,†she pointed out. “Russia has introduced dozens of modifications to Shahed systems and their employment over time. The United States moved too slowly for too long, and is still not operating at the scale or speed required.â€</p><p>Lt. Col. Jahara Matisek, a non-resident research fellow at the U.S. Naval War College, tells <em><em>The Cipher Brief</em></em> the deeper problem is organizational.</p><p>“Russia and Iran treat drones as a consumable and design their whole kill chain around adaptation and attrition,†he said. “The U.S. spent too long with a boutique mindset: exquisite platforms, slow procurement, and drones as ISR accessories.â€</p><p>In Ukraine, drone warfare doctrine doesn't update on a doctrinal cycle; it updates on a survival cycle.</p><p>“Every three to four months, a new jamming technique or counter-drone tactic forces units to rewrite how they fight,†Matisek explained. “Squad leaders brief new engagement protocols after a single bad day.†In the U.S., doctrinal updates take years.</p><p>The China dimension makes all of this even more urgent. Matisek points out that a war in the Indo-Pacific would be a drone-and-missile volume fight at a scale that dwarfs anything seen in the Gulf, with China holding dominant positions across the upstream supply chain — batteries, optical systems and rare earth minerals.</p><p>Ukraine has worked hard to wean itself off Chinese drone<a href=”https://www.kyivpost.com/post/71701″ rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>components</u></a> — the share dropped from roughly 97 percent at the start of the war to an estimated 38 percent by 2025, per the Ukrainian Council of Defense Industry and the Snake Island Institute. But Chinese supply chains still run through both sides of this<a href=”https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/chinas-drone-war-in-ukraine/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>conflict</u></a>.</p><p>The United States faces the same<a href=”https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/02/20/how-commercial-drones-make-the-pentagons-blue-uas-select-list/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>dependency</u></a> at precisely the moment it is trying to scale up: China<a href=”https://globaltaiwan.org/2026/02/tw-drone-production/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>controls</u></a> an estimated 90 percent of the global commercial drone market and<a href=”https://dronexl.co/2026/03/11/ukraine-china-free-drone-milestone/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>dominates</u></a> production of the batteries, motors, cameras, and flight controllers that underpin virtually every small drone system in use today.</p><p>“What I think is most worrying,†Matisek continues, “is that the U.S. military in four weeks of the Iran war has basically spent four to five days' worth of precision-guided munitions that it would need in a war with China. If a war with China broke out next month, the U.S. would only have enough PGMs for three days of fighting, at most.â€</p><p>The model for getting this right already exists in American history. During World War II, eleven<a href=”https://www.britannica.com/technology/Sherman-tank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”> <u>factories</u></a> built the M4 Sherman tank using standardized engineering documentation, producing nearly 50,000 units between 1942 and 1946. The question now is whether, a generation into the drone age, the United States can do it fast enough.</p><p>“What matters now,†Bondar adds, “is whether these initiatives produce not just inventory, but a repeatable ecosystem: rapid procurement, operator training, software iteration, battle damage feedback, and industrial learning loops.â€</p><p><strong><em>The Cipher Brief is committed to publishing a range of perspectives on <a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/national-security” target=”_self”>national security</a> issues submitted by deeply experienced <a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/national-security” target=”_self”>national security</a> professionals. Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not represent the views or opinions of The Cipher Brief.</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>Have a perspective to share based on your experience in the <a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/national-security”>national security</a> field? Send it to <a href=”mailto:Editor@thecipherbrief.com” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>Editor@thecipherbrief.com</a> for publication consideration.</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>Read more expert-driven national security insights, perspective and analysis in <a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/” target=”_self”>The Cipher Brief</a></em></strong></p></template></div><div class=”widget__show-more with-primary-color js-keep-reading js-page-view-and-reload-embeds”><span class=”show-more js-expand”>Keep reading...</span><span class=”show-less js-contract”>Show less</span></div></div></div><span class=”” data-elid=”2676706223″ data-post-url=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/us-lagging-drone-warfare-superiority” data-authors=”Ryan Simons” data-headline=”Is the U.S. lagging when it comes to drone warfare superiority?” data-page-title=”Is the U.S. lagging when it comes to drone warfare superiority? – The Cipher Brief”/></div></div></div></article></div></div></div></div><div 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 U.S. Intel's Sobering Assessment of Iran's War Resilience
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 After the War and After Putin: Three Potential Succession Scenarios for Russia's Modern Tsar
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 Blockade by Permission: How Iran Determines Who Gets Through Hormuz
 </a></h2><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>March 30, 2026</span></div><div class=”snark-line”><div class=”date-expert__wrapper”><style><![CDATA[
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 OPINION — In this issue we will discuss implications of the Drone Dominance Program, how weakness in the U.S. industrial base has been laid bare, and [...]
 
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 ]]></style><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>09 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”social-author clearfix”><a class=”social-author__name rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/steve-blank” data-type=”text”>Steve Blank</a></div></div><div class=”date-author__wrapper”><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>09 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”social-author clearfix”><a class=”social-author__name rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/author/ryansimons” data-type=”text”>Ryan Simons</a></div></div></div><div class=”all-related-sections”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/americas”>Americas</a><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/americas/north-america”>North America</a><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/americas/north-america/united-states”>United States</a></div></div></div></div></article></div><div class=”widget tag-global-energy tag-global-south tag-irgc tag-strait-of-hormuz tag-gulf-states tag-diplomacy tag-national-security tag-international tag-iran” elid=”2676677122″><article elid=”2676677122″ data-frozen-sections=”[]” class=”clearfix page-article sm-mb-1 quality-HD post-2676677122″><div class=”row px10″><div class=”rm-col-center col sm-mb-1″ style=”width:100.0%;”><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″/><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″><h2 class=”widget__headline h2″><a class=”widget__headline-text custom-post-headline” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/iran-war-reordering-the-world” aria-label=”How the Iran War Is Reordering the World, Second and Third-Order Effects” data-type=”text”>
 How the Iran War Is Reordering the World, Second and Third-Order Effects
 </a></h2><div class=”snark-line”><div class=”opinion-item”><div class=”widget__head expert”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/iran-war-reordering-the-world” aria-label=”How the Iran War Is Reordering the World, Second and Third-Order Effects” class=”rm-stats-tracked”><img role=”img” alt=”Chip Usher” aria-label=”Chip Usher” src=”https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy82NTQ5NDA4OC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTgyMDM0MTMwNn0.TsXxixyk_GmhojsVQzBsL2ejkasfF_2R86D4rmWT0nY/img.png” class=”rm-lazyloadable-image” data-adjusted-src=”true”/></a></div><h2 class=”widget__headline h2 opinion”><a class=”widget__headline-text rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/iran-war-reordering-the-world” aria-label=”How the Iran War Is Reordering the World, Second and Third-Order Effects” data-type=”text”>
 How the Iran War Is Reordering the World, Second and Third-Order Effects
 </a></h2></div><style><![CDATA[
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 OPINION — Five weeks into the US-Israeli war against Iran, the immediate military picture — decapitation strikes, missile exchanges, and the grinding [...]
 
 <a class=”more-btn compoent-otherwise” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/iran-war-reordering-the-world”>More</a></p><div class=”date-expert__wrapper”><style><![CDATA[
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 ]]></style><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>08 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”social-author clearfix”><a class=”social-author__name rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/chip-usher” data-type=”text”>Chip Usher</a></div></div><div class=”date-author__wrapper”><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>08 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”social-author clearfix”><a class=”social-author__name rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/author/ryansimons” data-type=”text”>Ryan Simons</a></div></div></div><div class=”all-related-sections”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/chip-usher”>Chip Usher</a></div></div></div></div></article></div><div class=”widget tag-alliances tag-china tag-deterrence tag-russia tag-sanctions tag-iran” elid=”2676669389″><article elid=”2676669389″ data-frozen-sections=”[]” class=”clearfix page-article sm-mb-1 quality-HD post-2676669389″><div class=”row px10″><div class=”rm-col-center col sm-mb-1″ style=”width:100.0%;”><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″/><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″><h2 class=”widget__headline h2″><a class=”widget__headline-text custom-post-headline” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/russia-and-china-see-strategic-gain” aria-label=”While the U.S. Focuses on Iran, Russia and China See Strategic Gain” data-type=”text”>
 While the U.S. Focuses on Iran, Russia and China See Strategic Gain
 </a></h2><div class=”snark-line”><div class=”opinion-item”><div class=”widget__head expert”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/russia-and-china-see-strategic-gain” aria-label=”While the U.S. Focuses on Iran, Russia and China See Strategic Gain” class=”rm-stats-tracked”><img role=”img” alt=”Dave Pitts” aria-label=”Dave Pitts” src=”https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy82MDMxOTc0OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTgxMjgwNTc4M30.pW39g1aPeh1FdgoROD_qjmTGOR3V7uZN4kd0ObhmId0/img.jpg” class=”rm-lazyloadable-image” data-adjusted-src=”true”/></a></div><h2 class=”widget__headline h2 opinion”><a class=”widget__headline-text rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/russia-and-china-see-strategic-gain” aria-label=”While the U.S. Focuses on Iran, Russia and China See Strategic Gain” data-type=”text”>
 While the U.S. Focuses on Iran, Russia and China See Strategic Gain
 </a></h2></div><style><![CDATA[
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 OPINION — Russia and China are certainly concerned about the desperate state of Iran's regime, an invaluable transactional partner to both countries. [...]
 
 <a class=”more-btn compoent-otherwise” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/russia-and-china-see-strategic-gain”>More</a></p><div class=”date-expert__wrapper”><style><![CDATA[
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 ]]></style><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>06 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”social-author clearfix”><a class=”social-author__name rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/dave-pitts” data-type=”text”>Dave Pitts</a></div></div><div class=”date-author__wrapper”><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>06 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”social-author clearfix”><a class=”social-author__name rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/author/ryansimons” data-type=”text”>Ryan Simons</a></div></div></div><div class=”all-related-sections”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/middle-east”>Middle East</a><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/middle-east/iran”>Iran</a><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/dave-pitts”>Dave Pitts</a></div></div></div></div></article></div><div class=”widget tag-conflict tag-iran tag-middle-east tag-national-security tag-war tag-australia” elid=”2676661141″><article elid=”2676661141″ data-frozen-sections=”[]” class=”clearfix page-article sm-mb-1 quality-HD post-2676661141″><div class=”row px10″><div class=”rm-col-center col sm-mb-1″ style=”width:100.0%;”><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″/><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″><h2 class=”widget__headline h2″><a class=”widget__headline-text custom-post-headline” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/why-a-war-in-the-middle-east-is-hitting-australians-at-the-petrol-pump” aria-label=”Why a War in the Middle East Is Hitting Australians at the Petrol Pump” data-type=”text”>
 Why a War in the Middle East Is Hitting Australians at the Petrol Pump
 </a></h2><div class=”snark-line”><div class=”opinion-item”><div class=”widget__head expert”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/why-a-war-in-the-middle-east-is-hitting-australians-at-the-petrol-pump” aria-label=”Why a War in the Middle East Is Hitting Australians at the Petrol Pump” class=”rm-stats-tracked”><img role=”img” alt=”Sami Omari” aria-label=”Sami Omari” src=”https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy82NTE2ODcwNy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTc5MDU0NzY2MX0.Z6UR_oqn9PeovrBKFikGld1FbqYZW2vcTlW_kJ82LXw/img.jpg” class=”rm-lazyloadable-image” data-adjusted-src=”true”/></a></div><h2 class=”widget__headline h2 opinion”><a class=”widget__headline-text rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/why-a-war-in-the-middle-east-is-hitting-australians-at-the-petrol-pump” aria-label=”Why a War in the Middle East Is Hitting Australians at the Petrol Pump” data-type=”text”>
 Why a War in the Middle East Is Hitting Australians at the Petrol Pump
 </a></h2></div><style><![CDATA[
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 OPINION – Economic insulation is no longer guaranteed by geography. Australia is nevertheless very vulnerable to geopolitical unrest in the Middle [...]
 
 <a class=”more-btn compoent-otherwise” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/why-a-war-in-the-middle-east-is-hitting-australians-at-the-petrol-pump”>More</a></p><div class=”date-expert__wrapper”><style><![CDATA[
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 ]]></style><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>03 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”social-author clearfix”><a class=”social-author__name rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/sami-omari” data-type=”text”>Sami Omari</a></div></div><div class=”date-author__wrapper”><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>03 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”social-author clearfix”><a class=”social-author__name rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/author/ryansimons” data-type=”text”>Ryan Simons</a></div></div></div><div class=”all-related-sections”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/columns/alternative-perspectives”>Alternative Perspectives</a></div></div></div></div></article></div><div class=”widget tag-iran tag-sanctions tag-irgc tag-war tag-national-security” elid=”2676660677″><article elid=”2676660677″ data-frozen-sections=”[]” class=”clearfix page-article sm-mb-1 quality-HD post-2676660677″><div class=”row px10″><div class=”rm-col-center col sm-mb-1″ style=”width:100.0%;”><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″/><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″><h2 class=”widget__headline h2″><a class=”widget__headline-text custom-post-headline” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/most-important-day-in-the-iranian-conflict” aria-label=”Why the ‘Day After' Is The Most Important Day in the Iranian Conflict” data-type=”text”>
 Why the ‘Day After' Is The Most Important Day in the Iranian Conflict
 </a></h2><div class=”snark-line”><div class=”opinion-item”><div class=”widget__head expert”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/most-important-day-in-the-iranian-conflict” aria-label=”Why the ‘Day After' Is The Most Important Day in the Iranian Conflict” class=”rm-stats-tracked”><img role=”img” alt=”Paul Miller” aria-label=”Paul Miller” src=”https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy82NTQ2MTkyMy9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTc4OTQ4MzIzNX0.ENpw2pgvsmK-gqqYOi8sjuppmVv9jlYxbtA-Gg4dtF8/img.png” class=”rm-lazyloadable-image” data-adjusted-src=”true”/></a></div><h2 class=”widget__headline h2 opinion”><a class=”widget__headline-text rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/most-important-day-in-the-iranian-conflict” aria-label=”Why the ‘Day After' Is The Most Important Day in the Iranian Conflict” data-type=”text”>
 Why the ‘Day After' Is The Most Important Day in the Iranian Conflict
 </a></h2></div><style><![CDATA[
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 OPINION — The countries that get held up as models for this kind of US led attack are worth looking at closely, because they're instructive in the [...]
 
 <a class=”more-btn compoent-otherwise” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/most-important-day-in-the-iranian-conflict”>More</a></p><div class=”date-expert__wrapper”><style><![CDATA[
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 ]]></style><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>03 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”social-author clearfix”><a class=”social-author__name rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/paul-miller” data-type=”text”>Paul Miller</a></div></div><div class=”date-author__wrapper”><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>03 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”social-author clearfix”><a class=”social-author__name rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/author/ryansimons” data-type=”text”>Ryan Simons</a></div></div></div><div class=”all-related-sections”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/middle-east”>Middle East</a><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/middle-east/iran”>Iran</a></div></div></div></div></article></div></div></div></div></div><div load-type=”button” class=”btn button-load-more next-page-wrapper hidden action-btn” data-loading-text=”” data-skl-id=”/root/blocks/block[post_default_layout]/abtests/abtest[1]/rm_tabs/rm_wrapper[1]/element_wrapper/row/column[1]/choose/when[(not_is_authenticated_and_post.id_!=_2673875055_and_not_post.roar_specific_data.exclude_from_paywall)]/choose/when[(2271744428_in_post.sections_or_post.roar_specific_data.paid_content)]/element_wrapper[4]/element_wrapper-” data-has-more=”true” data-more-posts-exists=”true” data-posts-sources=”loadmore_other” data-ignore-page-number=”false”>Load More</div></div></div><div id=”sPost_Default_Layout_0_0_16_0_0_1_0_7_1_1″ class=”sidebar sticky-wrapper col sm-mb-2 md-mb-4 s12 m12 l4″><div class=”experts-wrapper” id=”sPost_Default_Layout_0_0_16_0_0_1_0_7_1_1_0_0″><h2 class=”module__heading “>
 
 
 The Latest
 
 </h2><div class=”mb-2 image-on-left vertical-list” id=”sPost_Default_Layout_0_0_16_0_0_1_0_7_1_1_0_0_2_2_0″><div class=”posts-custom posts-custom-section section-holder clearfix” data-block=”section_6″ data-format=”posts-custom” data-source=”latest” data-source-type=”page” data-source-unique=”true” data-section-id=”” data-is-reordable=”false” data-using-stickers=”false” data-has-more=”true” data-attr-cache_ttl_in_seconds=”43200″ data-attr-format=”posts-custom” data-attr-posts_id=”sPost_Default_Layout_0_0_16_0_0_1_0_7_1_1_0_0_2_2_0″ data-attr-source_unique=”true” data-attr-without_current=”true” data-attr-layout_quality=”9″ data-attr-node_id=”/root/blocks/block[post_default_layout]/abtests/abtest[1]/rm_tabs/rm_wrapper[1]/element_wrapper/row/column[2]/if[is_mobile==false]/element_wrapper[1]/choose/otherwise/posts-” data-attr-source=”filtered” data-attr-use_tag_image_for_lead_media=”true” data-attr-all_element_order=”badges,headline,snark_line,all_sections” data-attr-layout_headline=”bottom” data-attr-attribute_sets=”” data-attr-element_classes=”image-on-left vertical-list” data-attr-from_regular_sections_other_than=”editorial/non-content,book-review,report” data-attr-limit=”3″ data-attr-layout_all_date_format=”%d %B, %Y” data-attr-layout_badges=”over” data-attr-layout_all_image_crop=”3×2″ data-attr-layout_all_sections=”bottom” data-attr-layout_snark_line=”bottom” data-attr-from_regular_sections=”column-article” data-attr-data-rm-collapsed=”true” data-attr-priority=”1″ data-attr-source_id=”latest” data-attr-source_site=”parent_site”><div class=”posts-wrapper clearfix”><div class=”widget tag-critical-infrastructure tag-cyberattacks tag-opinions tag-section-702 tag-united-states” elid=”2676707270″><article elid=”2676707270″ data-frozen-sections=”[]” class=”clearfix page-article sm-mb-1 quality-MD post-2676707270″><div class=”row px10″><div class=”rm-col-center col sm-mb-1″ style=”width:100.0%;”><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″/><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″><h2 class=”widget__headline h2″><a class=”widget__headline-text custom-post-headline” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/case-for-reauthorizing-section-702″ aria-label=”The Case for Reauthorizing Section 702″ data-type=”text”>
 The Case for Reauthorizing Section 702
 </a></h2><div class=”snark-line”><div class=”opinion-item”><div class=”widget__head expert”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/case-for-reauthorizing-section-702″ aria-label=”The Case for Reauthorizing Section 702″ class=”rm-stats-tracked”><img role=”img” alt=”Rob Joyce” aria-label=”Rob Joyce” src=”https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy82NTUxNDI4MS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTgxODI5MTcyMn0.9Vbuw4OrMC9pBWE9_BMhdIKt0bS99NI397AgdHhGveE/img.png” class=”rm-lazyloadable-image” data-adjusted-src=”true”/></a></div><h2 class=”widget__headline h2 opinion”><a class=”widget__headline-text rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/case-for-reauthorizing-section-702″ aria-label=”The Case for Reauthorizing Section 702″ data-type=”text”>
 The Case for Reauthorizing Section 702
 </a></h2></div><style><![CDATA[
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 Editor’s Note: Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was originally enacted as a post 9/11surveillance program that allows the [...] 
 
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 ]]></style><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>13 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”social-author clearfix”><a class=”social-author__name rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/rob-joyce” data-type=”text”>Rob Joyce</a></div></div><div class=”date-author__wrapper”><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>13 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”social-author clearfix”><a class=”social-author__name rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/author/ryansimons” data-type=”text”>Ryan Simons</a></div></div></div><div class=”all-related-sections”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/rob-joyce”>Rob Joyce</a><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/national-security”>National Security</a></div></div></div></div></article></div><div class=”widget tag-china tag-national-security tag-tehran tag-beijing tag-international tag-iran” elid=”2676699908″><article elid=”2676699908″ data-frozen-sections=”[]” class=”clearfix page-article sm-mb-1 quality-MD post-2676699908″><div class=”row px10″><div class=”rm-col-center col sm-mb-1″ style=”width:100.0%;”><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″/><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″><h2 class=”widget__headline h2″><a class=”widget__headline-text custom-post-headline” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/iran-china-great-power-contest” aria-label=”The Strategic Realignment: Iran, China, and the Great Power Contest” data-type=”text”>
 The Strategic Realignment: Iran, China, and the Great Power Contest
 </a></h2><div class=”snark-line”><div class=”opinion-item”><div class=”widget__head expert”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/iran-china-great-power-contest” aria-label=”The Strategic Realignment: Iran, China, and the Great Power Contest” class=”rm-stats-tracked”><img role=”img” alt=”Paul Miller” aria-label=”Paul Miller” src=”https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy82NTQ2MTkyMy9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTc4OTQ4MzIzNX0.ENpw2pgvsmK-gqqYOi8sjuppmVv9jlYxbtA-Gg4dtF8/img.png” class=”rm-lazyloadable-image” data-adjusted-src=”true”/></a></div><h2 class=”widget__headline h2 opinion”><a class=”widget__headline-text rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/iran-china-great-power-contest” aria-label=”The Strategic Realignment: Iran, China, and the Great Power Contest” data-type=”text”>
 The Strategic Realignment: Iran, China, and the Great Power Contest
 </a></h2></div><style><![CDATA[
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 OPINION — The conflict in Iran is not solely the result of 47 years of unresolved tension. That framing misses a more consequential story: what is [...] 
 
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 ]]></style><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>10 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”social-author clearfix”><a class=”social-author__name rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/paul-miller” data-type=”text”>Paul Miller</a></div></div><div class=”date-author__wrapper”><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>10 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”social-author clearfix”><a class=”social-author__name rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/author/ryansimons” data-type=”text”>Ryan Simons</a></div></div></div><div class=”all-related-sections”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/international”>International</a></div></div></div></div></article></div><div class=”widget tag-misinformation tag-intelligence tag-intelligence-community tag-australia” elid=”2676698334″><article elid=”2676698334″ data-frozen-sections=”[]” class=”clearfix page-article sm-mb-1 quality-MD post-2676698334″><div class=”row px10″><div class=”rm-col-center col sm-mb-1″ style=”width:100.0%;”><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″/><div class=”widget__body clearfix sm-mt-1″><h2 class=”widget__headline h2″><a class=”widget__headline-text custom-post-headline” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/why-australia-s-national-spy-museum-is-a-strategic-necessity” aria-label=”Why Australia Needs a National Spy Museum” data-type=”text”>
 Why Australia Needs a National Spy Museum
 </a></h2><div class=”snark-line”><div class=”opinion-item”><div class=”widget__head expert”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/why-australia-s-national-spy-museum-is-a-strategic-necessity” aria-label=”Why Australia Needs a National Spy Museum” class=”rm-stats-tracked”><img role=”img” alt=”Liesl Jordan” aria-label=”Liesl Jordan” src=”https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy82NTUwNTk1Ni9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTgxMDY5MDE1OX0.LeTk-TFyvOWUDetD5ZM5GBzPCWkZraa-XCyBYQUFbS0/img.png” class=”rm-lazyloadable-image” data-adjusted-src=”true”/></a></div><h2 class=”widget__headline h2 opinion”><a class=”widget__headline-text rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/why-australia-s-national-spy-museum-is-a-strategic-necessity” aria-label=”Why Australia Needs a National Spy Museum” data-type=”text”>
 Why Australia Needs a National Spy Museum
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 OPINION — Australia is entering one of the most complex and psychologically destabilizing security periods in its modern history. The ASIO [...] 
 
 <a class=”more-btn compoent-otherwise” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/why-australia-s-national-spy-museum-is-a-strategic-necessity”>More</a></p><div class=”date-expert__wrapper”><style><![CDATA[
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 ]]></style><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>10 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”social-author clearfix”><a class=”social-author__name rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/liesl-jordan” data-type=”text”>Liesl Jordan</a></div></div><div class=”date-author__wrapper”><div class=”social-date”><span class=”social-date__text”>10 April, 2026</span></div><div class=”social-author clearfix”><a class=”social-author__name rm-stats-tracked” href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/author/ryansimons” data-type=”text”>Ryan Simons</a></div></div></div><div class=”all-related-sections”><a href=”https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/liesl-jordan”>Liesl Jordan</a></div></div></div></div></article></div></div></div></div></div><!– User Code –><div class=”divider”/><!– End User Code –><div class=”subscribe-cta” id=”sPost_Default_Layout_0_0_16_0_0_1_0_7_1_1_0_2_0″><!– User Code –><div class=”subscribe-cipher-logo image-element”><svg 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