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Now displaying: February, 2022
Feb 28, 2022

Our thoughts are with everyone in Ukraine and all those allies already involved in the historic events happening in Europe right now, including our media colleagues who are doing incredible work reporting from Ukraine to share what’s happening with the world.

Feb 25, 2022
It has been an incredible 36 hours with fast-moving developments over Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. Topping the news today - Germany is signaling its willingness to cut Russia from SWIFT global financial system and Moscow is making new threats toward Finland and Sweden in what appears to be aimed at their signaling interest in joining NATO.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy is telling EU leaders that this may be the last time they see him alive.

The EU has approved a second round of sanctions on Moscow as Putin urges the Ukrainian military to surrender.  And Moscow says its open to negotiations with Ukraine

This comes as the Russian military meets with stiff resistance in parts of Ukraine. 

Let's get to the rest of today's report.  

Feb 23, 2022

Today’s news cycle is once again dominated by the crisis in Europe with announcements of major western sanctions against Russia amid news that Russia is evacuating its diplomatic staff from Ukraine while all signs appear pointed towards a further escalation. 

There is a lot in today’s report and things are very fast moving right now.  Let’s get to it.

Today’s Open Source report is brought to you by The Cyber Initiatives Group.  New cooperation on cyber requires new thinking.  Join CIG experts with public and private sector experience as they engage in a mission to educate and move the needle on national security and cyber. Find out more at cyberinitiativesgroup.com

Feb 22, 2022

Media outlets around the world are showing scenes of Russian military units being moved into Eastern Ukraine this morning and while the US has so far stopped short of calling the moves an invasion, we are starting to get a glimpse of what immediate actions the US and EU are taking in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recognition of the breakaway Ukrainian provinces following his televised speech. We’ve got a lot more to tell you about today.  Let’s get to the rest of today’s headlines. 

Feb 21, 2022

In today's report Russia President Vladimir Putin held a televised press conference today as the Russian Security Council meets to discuss the situation in Ukraine.  At the conference Putin said "It is clear that the Minsk measures aren't going to be implemented".  There's a lot more in today's report, let's get to it. 

Feb 17, 2022

Today's report is again dominated by news from the Russia-Ukraine crisis with media and the State Department confirming reports that Russia has expelled the #2 US diplomat in Moscow, while senior US officials are signaling publicly that escalation of hostilities is imminent.  

Feb 16, 2022

Topping today’s Open Source report: President Biden warns Putin in a televised address while US and NATO officials say they see no evidence of a Russian troop withdrawal but instead say Moscow is sending more troops to the Ukraine region. 

Feb 15, 2022

Today’s report has conflicting accounts of what’s happening in Eastern Europe with Russian officials claiming that some troops are pulling back to their bases following exercises in Belarus, but NATO and US officials saying they don’t see actual evidence on the ground to back up those claims.  

Feb 14, 2022
There are alot of headlines in today's report starting with another US warning that Russia may be trying to create a false pretext for an invasion of Ukraine.  And this is happening amid a flurry of ongoing and urgent diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis.  
Feb 11, 2022

It’s Friday, February 11, 2022 and today’s top story is a warning from President Biden for US citizens to get out of Ukraine.  In an interview with NBC News, the President warned Americans inside the country that the US will not be able to evacuate them if Russian troops invade the country.  NBC’s Lester Holt asked the President whether there would be a scenario where he would send troops to rescue Americans who were fleeing the country and the President responded, “There’s not. That's a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another.”  In an advisory issued on Thursday, the US State Department said the warning to evacuate was due to “increased threats of Russian military action” in Ukraine.  Russia denies is planning an invasion, despite a consistent build-up of troops along the Ukraine border.

Feb 10, 2022
In today's report our top story comes from, no surprise, Europe with reports that Russia's military exercises in Belarus have begun amid a flurry of aggressive western diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.  
Feb 8, 2022
It’s Tuesday, February 8, 2022 and in today’s report…… In today’s report President Joe Biden makes a bold prediction on the Nordstream II pipeline; Confusing narratives follow the Macron-Putin meeting; US approves major new defense package for Taiwan and protests grow in Sudan.  If you want to stay up on the latest global news stories then join us each day M-F right here on the Open Source Report Podcast.  It’s your best chance of keeping up with the fast paced and rapidly changing global security news cycle in a quick, non-partisan report on the major security stories. 
Feb 7, 2022

In today’s report…… A flurry of diplomatic efforts underway to stave off war in Ukraine amid a continued Russian troop buildup in Belarus and new US deployments to Poland.  Iran draws a red line in nuclear negotiations this week and UN says North Korea’s nuclear program grows stronger.  Pakistani security forces battle insurgents and US CENTCOM commander visits UAE to demonstrate US support.  It’s a big news day and your best chance of keeping up with the fast paced and rapidly changing global security news cycle is right here with The Cipher Brief.  

And, before we move on I’d like to say a special welcome to our newest Cipher Brief Expert John Edwards.  John retired from the CIA in September of 2021 where he last served as the CIA’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer.  

Feb 4, 2022

It’s February 4, 2022, and we’re following major cyber stories and Ukraine developments. 

US intelligence warns Russia may fabricate an attack by Ukrainian forces to justify an invasion. Oil terminals across Europe suffer cyberattacks. Another Israeli surveillance firm has been found exploiting iPhone vulnerabilities. And Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. These stories and more in today’s episode of The Cipher Brief Open Source Podcast.



Feb 3, 2022
In today's report: New developments on the US cyber front; a new Havana Syndrome report is out and US special operations raid kills ISIS leader in Syria.  We also have the latest on the Ukraine-Russia crisis and more developments on the spike in attacks on the UAE.  
Feb 2, 2022
It’s Wednesday, February 2 2022 and there is a lot to talk about in today’s Open Source Report with particular focus on the continued crisis in Ukraine, but also a lot of national security stories today from the Middle East and Africa. 

Here’s a look at today’s open source report broken down by region of the world. Just a reminder that we provide links to all of our sources in The Cipher Brief’s free daily newsletter.  Sign up at The Cipher Brief.com

Feb 1, 2022
Today’s report is again dominated by Ukraine-Russia news but we also have headlines about FBI Director Wray’s comments on China, the latest on the fight between some states’ National Guard and the Pentagon over COVID vaccines, Iran nuclear negotiations, a US announcement about Qatar and the most recent developments from Mali.  Here’s a look at today’s open source report broken down by region of the world. Just a reminder that we provide links to all of our sources in The Cipher Brief’s free daily newsletter.  Sign up at The Cipher Brief.com
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