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Here's what (and who) to read this week on The Cipher Brief

 Terror in London: ISIS Threat to West Intensifying

As the United Kingdom grapples with its third terrorist attack in three months, PrimeMinister Theresa May called for a review of counter-extremism and counterterrorism effortsin the country “to make sure the police and security services have all the powers theyneed.” There has been “far too much tolerance of extremism in our country,” May said, and“things need to change.” In part one of a two part series, the Cipher Brief breaks down theattack, and asks: how does we confront the “new normal” of the evolving global threat ofterrorism? Read more

Pressure in UK Building for Crackdown on Suspected ISIS Sympathizers Michael

Leiter Former Director, National Counterterrorism Center

CIPHERBRIEF

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Here's what (and who) to read this week on The Cipher Brief

Terror in London: ISIS Threat to West Intensifying

As the the United Kingdom grapples with its third terrorist attack in three months, PrimeMinister Theresa May called for a review of counter-extremism and counterterrorism effortsin the country "to make sure the police and security services have all the powers theyneed." There has been "far too much tolerance of extremism in our country," May said, and"things need to change." In part one of a two part series, the Cipher Brief breaks down theattack, and asks: how does we confront the "new normal" of the evolving global threat ofterrorism? Read more

• Pressure in UK Building for Crackdown on Suspected ISIS Sympathizers Michael

Leiter Former Director, National Counterterrorism Center

UK Elections Will Test May’s Get­Tough Stance Nick Fishwick Former Senior Member, British

Foreign Office

Then, on Tuesday, The Cipher Brief examines how increasing pressure on ISIS in Iraqand Syria affects the threat-level to the U.S. homeland as the group and its sympathizerstry to regain prestige and recruits by staging unsophisticated - but deadly - attacks in theWest.

John Perren Former Assistant Director, Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, FBI

Todd Rosenblum Former Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Security and

Americas' Security Affairs

Europe: Going it Alone?

President Donald Trump just made his first overseas trip, where he met with Europeanleaders at the NATO heads of state and G7 meetings. After the meetings, GermanChancellor Angela Merkel announced Europe needs to take its fate into its own hands.The Cipher Brief explores this idea that Europe can no longer count on the U.S. for, aboveall, their security needs. Is this accurate? Or is this political posturing by Europeans? Domost European leaders agree? What other factors - beyond Donald Trump - could beleading to this feeling, and how does the U.S. see all this? 

Ambassador Richard Boucher Former Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia

• U K Elections Will Test May's Get-Tough Stance Nick Fishwick Former Senior Member, British

Foreign Office

Then, on Tuesday, The Cipher Brief examines how increasing pressure on ISIS in Iraqand Syria affects the threat-level to the U.S. homeland as the group and its sympathizerstry to regain prestige and recruits by staging unsophisticated - but deadly - attacks in theWest.

• John Perren Former Assistant Director, Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, FBI

• Todd Rosenblum Former Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Security and

Americas Security Affairs

Europe: Going it Alone?

President Donald Trump just made his first overseas trip, where he met with Europeanleaders at the NATO heads of state and G7 meetings. After the meetings, GermanChancellor Angela Merkel announced Europe needs to take its fate into its own hands.The Cipher Brief explores this idea that Europe can no longer count on the U.S. for, aboveall, their security needs. Is this accurate? Or is this political posturing by Europeans? Domost European leaders agree? What other factors - beyond Donald Trump - could beleading to this feeling, and how does the U.S. see all this?

• Ambassador Richard Boucher Former Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia

Josef Braml Fellow, German Council on Foreign Relations  

Is China Really the Key to Confronting NorthKorea?

North Korea's advancing missile and nuclear programs have raised regional tensions andprompted the Trump Administration to declare that "all options" are on the table. Oneoption involves calling on China to take a more proactive role and use its economicleverage to punish Pyongyang. However, this idea is far from new, and previousadministrations have long pointed to China as the key to pressuring North Korea - withoutsuccess. The Cipher Brief examines the state of the relationship between China and NorthKorea and whether Beijing is really willing - or able - to take stronger action against itsneighbor and ally.

Gordon Chang Author, The Coming Collapse of ChinaYun Sun Senior Associate, East Asia Program, Stimson Center

 

Brexit and the UK's Outstanding BilateralDisputes

• Josef Bram! Fellow, German Council on Foreign Relations

Is China Really the Key to Confronting NorthKorea?

North Korea's advancing missile and nuclear programs have raised regional tensions andprompted the Trump Administration to declare that "all options" are on the table. Oneoption involves calling on China to take a more proactive role and use its economicleverage to punish Pyongyang. However, this idea is far from new, and previousadministrations have long pointed to China as the key to pressuring North Korea - withoutsuccess. The Cipher Brief examines the state of the relationship between China and NorthKorea and whether Beijing is really willing - or able - to take stronger action against itsneighbor and ally.

• Gordon Chang Author, The Coming Collapse of China• Yun Sun Senior Associate, East Asia Program, Stimson Center

Brexit and the UK's Outstanding BilateralDisputes

After British snap elections held this Thursday, attention will turn back to negotiationsbetween the EU and the UK to determine the terms under which Britain will leave theEuropean Union. Headline issues include the so-called "exit fee" that London is beingasked to pay Brussels, as well as immigration issues and the status of EU citizens alreadyworking in the UK. However, as the recent dispute between Spain and the UK over thestatus of the British territory of Gibraltar demonstrates, there are also a slew of bilateraldisputes between Britain and the remaining 27 EU countries which threaten to complicateexit negotiations. From Gibraltar to the Elgin Marbles, The Cipher Brief asks how theseoutstanding bilateral disputes will affect Britain's attempt to leave the EU with a favorableagreement.

Charles Grant Director, Center for European ReformSimeon Djankov Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Bulgaria

 

Network SpotlightThe Cipher Brief welcomes new Network member Deborah Lee James!

Deborah Lee JamesFormer Secretary of the United States Air Force

Secretary James has over 30 years of senior level homeland and nationalsecurity experience in the federal government and private sector. During her

After British snap elections held this Thursday, attention will turn back to negotiationsbetween the EU and the UK to determine the terms under which Britain will leave theEuropean Union. Headline issues include the so-called "exit fee" that London is beingasked to pay Brussels, as well as immigration issues and the status of EU citizens alreadyworking in the UK. However, as the recent dispute between Spain and the UK over thestatus of the British territory of Gibraltar demonstrates, there are also a slew of bilateraldisputes between Britain and the remaining 27 EU countries which threaten to complicateexit negotiations. From Gibraltar to the Elgin Marbles, The Cipher Brief asks how theseoutstanding bilateral disputes will affect Britain's attempt to leave the EU with a favorableagreement.

• Charles Grant Director, Center for European Reform• Simeon Djankov Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Bulgaria

Network Spotlight

The Cipher Brief welcomes new Network member Deborah Lee James!

Deborah Lee JamesFormer Secretary of the United States Air Force

Secretary James has over 30 years of senior level homeland and nationalsecurity experience in the federal government and private sector. During her

The Cipher Brief Podcasts

This week on 15 Minutes, The Cipher Brief's Suzanne Kelly spends 15 Minutes with AliSoufan. Ali is a former FBI special agent, who recently wrote The Anatomy of Terror: From

the Death of Bin Laden to the Rise of the Islamic State. What's unique about the book isthat he wrote it like a novel, to bring the readers into the world of Bin Laden and help thembetter understand it. So how did he come up with the idea? 

Listen to 15 Minutes: Ali Soufan on the Death of Bin Laden & Rise of ISIS - or get it oniTunes 

In my Own Words As the Battle for Mosul nears its end, what should the U.S. strategy be in the day afterscenario, not just in Mosul, but Iraq all together? How do we bring all the parties to thetable? Hear the perspective of General Jack Keane, former Vice Chief of Staff of theUnited States Army - in his own words, no holds barred. 

time as Secretary, she was responsible for theorganizing, training, equipping and providing for thewelfare of its nearly 660,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserveand civilian Airmen and their families.

View the rest of our Network members

time as Secretary, she was responsible for theorganizing, training, equipping and providing for thewelfare of its nearly 660,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserveand civilian Airmen and their families.

View the rest of our Network members

The Cipher Brief Podcasts

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ALI SOUFAN

This week on 15 Minutes, The Cipher Brief's Suzanne Kelly spends 15 Minutes with AliSoufan. Ali is a former FBI special agent, who recently wrote The Anatomy of Terror: Fromthe Death of Bin Laden to the Rise of the Islamic State. What's unique about the book isthat he wrote it like a novel, to bring the readers into the world of Bin Laden and help thembetter understand it. So how did he come up with the idea?

Listen to 15 Minutes: All Soufan on the Death of Bin Laden & Rise of ISIS - or get it oniTunes

In my Own WordsAs the Battle for Mosul nears its end, what should the U.S. strategy be in the day afterscenario, not just in Mosul, but Iraq all together? How do we bring all the parties to thetable? Hear the perspective of General Jack Keane, former Vice Chief of Staff of theUnited States Army - in his own words, no holds barred.

Listen to U.S. Strategy the Day After Mosul - or get it on iTunes

 

Don't Miss on The Cipher BriefTechnology, New FBI Powers Needed to Combat Terror David Shedd, Former Acting Director, Defense Intelligence Agency "We cannot afford to build a wall between law enforcement and intelligence sharing.

Making sure that the lash­up between those national intelligence collection and analysis

capabilities are enjoined with law enforcement is vital to defeating Islamic terrorism."

WannaCry Changes Intelligence Community Calculus Daniel Hoffman, Former Senior Executive Clandestine Service Officer, CIA In light of torrential leaks from Edward Snowden and, more recently, the Vault 7 documents

allegedly belonging to the CIA that were published on WikiLeaks, it will not be enough for

the Intelligence Community to highlight the value of cyber collection without simultaneously

considering the potential collateral risk to cyber defense should the tools make their way

into the hands of others.

Trump's Montenegro Moment Steven L. Hall, Former Member, Senior Intelligence Service, CIA "You would probably recognize Prime Minister Markovic from the viral video of U.S.

President Donald Trump pushing him aside brusquely in his eagerness to get to the front

row for an official photograph at the recent NATO heads of state meetings in Brussels...I

know Prime Minister Markovic personally."

Schiff Goes Full Circle, from Nailing FBI Spy to Investigating Russia Steve Hirsch, Senior National Security Editor, The Cipher Brief In 1990, as a young assistant U.S. attorney, Rep. Adam Schiff (D­CA) slipped into the

national security world when he nailed the first FBI agent ever to be accused of espionage

– for Moscow. Now he is the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee – a

subject he calls “a fairly perfect fit for me” – and, as such, one of his party’s most visible

figures on current investigations of Russian meddling in last year’s election.  

Columnists This Week

Listen to U.S. Strategy the Day After Mosul - or get it on iTunes

Don't Miss on The Cipher Brief

Technology, New FBI Powers Needed to Combat TerrorDavid Shedd, Former Acting Director, Defense Intelligence Agency"We cannot afford to build a wall between law enforcement and intelligence sharing.Making sure that the lash-up between those national intelligence collection and analysiscapabilities are enjoined with law enforcement is vital to defeating Islamic terrorism."

WannaCry Changes Intelligence Community CalculusDaniel Hoffman, Former Senior Executive Clandestine Service Officer, CIAIn light of torrential leaks from Edward Snowden and, more recently, the Vault 7 documentsallegedly belonging to the CIA that were published on WikiLeaks, it will not be enough forthe Intelligence Community to highlight the value of cyber collection without simultaneouslyconsidering the potential collateral risk to cyber defense should the tools make their wayinto the hands of others.

Trump's Montenegro MomentSteven L. Hall, Former Member, Senior Intelligence Service, CIA"You would probably recognize Prime Minister Markovic from the viral video of U.S.President Donald Trump pushing him aside brusquely in his eagerness to get to the frontrow for an official photograph at the recent NATO heads of state meetings in Brussels.. .1know Prime Minister Markovic personally."

Schiff Goes Full Circle, from Nailing FBI Spy to Investigating RussiaSteve Hirsch, Senior National Security Editor, The Cipher BriefIn 1990, as a young assistant U.S. attorney, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) slipped into thenational security world when he nailed the first FBI agent ever to be accused of espionage— for Moscow. Now he is the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee — asubject he calls "a fairly perfect fit for me" — and, as such, one of his party's most visiblefigures on current investigations of Russian meddling in last year's election.

Columnists This Week

Expert View More Lone Wolf Attacks Inevitable Michael Morell Former Acting Director, CIA 

Fine Print Walter Pincus Senior National Security Reporter and Columnist, The Cipher Brief 

Expert View Winning the Future in Space Deborah Lee James Former Secretary of the United States Air Force 

Cyber Advisor U.S. Cyber Command Must Develop Tools to Win Battles in Cyberspace RADM (Ret.) Bill Leigher Director of Government Cybersecurity Solutions, Raytheon 

Private Sector The Challenge of Jihadist Infosec ChannelsLaith Alkhouri Co­Founder and Director, Flashpoint

The Cipher Brief is hiring.

If you believe there's no such thing as "good enough," we want you on our team.

Help us stay one step ahead of the ever­evolving global security landscape. 

Featured Job: Executive AdministratorWe're looking for an individual with strong project management and communicationsskills as this person will need to effectively correspond with internal and externalexecutives across various fields and industries. Find out more

The Dead Drop

Expert ViewMore Lone Wolf Attacks Inevitable

Michael Morel! Former Acting Director, CIA

Fine PrintWalter Pincus Senior National Security Reporter and Columnist, The Cipher Brief

Expert ViewWinning the Future in Space

Deborah Lee James Former Secretary of the United States Air Force

Cyber AdvisorU.S. Cyber Command Must Develop Tools to Win Battles in Cyberspace

RADM (Ret.) Bill Leigher Director of Government Cybersecurity Solutions, Raytheon

Private SectorThe Challenge of Jihadist Infosec ChannelsLaith Alkhouri Co-Founder and Director, Flashpoint

The Cipher Brief is hiring.

If you believe there's no such thing as "good enough," we want you on our team.Help us stay one step ahead of the ever-evolving global security landscape.

Featured Job: Executive AdministratorWere looking for an individual with strong project management and communicationsskills as this person will need to effectively correspond with internal and externalexecutives across various fields and industries. Find out more

The Dead Drop

IT DON’T MEAN A THING, IF YOU AIN’T GOT THAT BLING: Much was made acouple weeks ago when the Saudis presented President Trump with a very flashy

necklace. It was the “Order of King Abdulaziz” ­­ also known as the “Collar of

Abdulaziz Al Saud.” Some critics noted that Trump appeared to bow when receiving the

award. As nice as it is – we understand that President Obama received a similar award,

six months into his first administration, and President’s Bush (43) and Clinton also

landed the snazzy chain. Oh, and Vladimir Putin has one too. The Dead Drop hears,

however, that the Saudi’s made sure that the version given to Trump contained more

gold and diamonds than usual – a sure way to impress the recipient.

Catch up here. Got a tip? Email us at thedeaddrop@thecipherbrief.com and share thescoop. We promise to protect our sources and methods.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR

The world has never been more dangerous and complex for companies that operate on the globalstage. Cooley is your source to understand these threats and the framework of laws andregulations around the world. Contact our global, highly specialized Privacy and Cybersecuritygroup to learn more about how you can protect your enterprise platform. 

Learn more 

I T DON'T MEAN A THING, IF YOU AIN'T GOT THAT BLING: Much was made acouple weeks ago when the Saudis presented President Trump with a very flashynecklace. It was the "Order of King Abdulaziz" -- also known as the "Collar ofAbdulaziz Al Saud." Some critics noted that Trump appeared to bow when receiving theaward. As nice as it is — we understand that President Obama received a similar award,six months into his first administration, and President's Bush (43) and Clinton alsolanded the snazzy chain. Oh, and Vladimir Putin has one too. The Dead Drop hears,however, that the Saudi's made sure that the version given to Trump contained moregold and diamonds than usual — a sure way to impress the recipient.

Catch up here. Got a tip? Email us at thedeaddrop@thecipherbrief.com and share thescoop. We promise to protect our sources and methods.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR

CooleyThe world has never been more dangerous and complex for companies that operate on the globalstage. Cooley is your source to understand these threats and the framework of laws andregulations around the world. Contact our global, highly specialized Privacy and Cybersecuritygroup to learn more about how you can protect your enterprise platform.

Learn more

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The Hill: Key Hearings This Week

Wednesday, June 7

House Homeland Security Full Committee Hearing: Department of Homeland Security

Reauthorization and the President's FY 2018 Budget Request

John F. Kelly, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

House Armed Services Subcommittee Hearing: Fiscal Year 2018 Priorities and Posture of

Missile Defeat Programs and Activities

Lt. Gen. James Dickinson, Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for

Integrated Missile Defense

Todd Harvey, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities

Barry Pike, Program Executive Officer, Army Missiles and Space

Vice Adm. James Syring, Director, Missile Defense Agency

Thursday, June 8

Senate Intelligence Committee Open Hearing: Former Director James Comey, FBI

James Comey, Former Director, FBI

House Foreign Affairs Full Committee Hearing: Attacking Hezbollah's Financial Network:

Policy Options

LCoo ley is a sponsor of The Cipher Briefs upcoming Annual Threat Conference.

The Hill: Key Hearings This Week

Wednesday, June 7

• House Homeland Security Full Committee Hearing: Department of Homeland Security

Reauthorization and the President's FY 2018 Budget Request

O John F. Kelly, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• House Armed Services Subcommittee Hearing: Fiscal Year 2018 Priorities and Posture of

Missile Defeat Programs and Activities

O Lt . Gen. James Dickinson, Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for

Integrated Missile Defense

O Todd Harvey, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities

O Barry Pike, Program Executive Officer, Army Missiles and Space

O Vice Adm. James Syring, Director, Missile Defense Agency

Thursday, June 8

• Senate Intelligence Committee Open Hearing: Former Director James Comey, FBI

O James Comey, Former Director, FBI

• House Foreign Affairs Full Committee Hearing: Attacking Hezbollah's Financial Network:

Policy Options

Matthew Levitt, Director and Fellow, Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence,

Washington Institute

David Asher, Member of the Board of Directors, Center on Sanctions and Illicit Finance,

Foundation for the Defense of Democracies

Derek Maltz, Executive Director, Governmental Relations, Pen-Link Ltd.

Mara Karlin, Associate Professor of Practice and Associate Director of Strategic Studies,

Johns Hopkins SAIS

Senate Foreign Relations Full Committee Hearing: Beyond Iraq and Syria: ISIS' Global

Reach

Lorenzo Vidino, Director, Program on Extremism, George Washington University

Daniel Byman, Professor and Senior Associate Dean, Georgetown University School of

Foreign Service; Senior Fellow, Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings Institution

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O Matthew Levitt, Director and Fellow, Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence,

Washington Institute

O David Asher, Member of the Board of Directors, Center on Sanctions and Illicit Finance,

Foundation for the Defense of Democracies

o Derek Maltz, Executive Director, Governmental Relations, Pen-Link Ltd.

o Mara Karlin, Associate Professor of Practice and Associate Director of Strategic Studies,

Johns Hopkins SAIS

• Senate Foreign Relations Full Committee Hearing: Beyond Iraq and Syria: ISIS' Global

Reach

O Lorenzo Vidino, Director, Program on Extremism, George Washington University

O Daniel Byman, Professor and Senior Associate Dean, Georgetown University School of

Foreign Service; Senior Fellow, Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings Institution

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