Walter Pincus

Washington, D.C.

Columnist for The Cipher Brief after 40+ years with The Washington Post. Taught at Yale and Stanford. Author of book "Blown To Hell," about U.S. nuclear testing

Articles

Where are the Sage Advisors When You Need Them?

1 month ago | thecipherbrief.com | Walter Pincus

Posted: May 27th, 2025 OPINION — “There are few things you can do that are more gratifying and more satisfying, and when you look back, being able to say that maybe, you made a difference in keeping the nation [the U.S.] safer or the nation better off.”That was Robert M. Gates, who served as both U.S. Secretary of Defense and CIA Director, speaking to CBS News’ Face the Nation on May 18.
The World of Threats – According to the Defense Intelligence Agency

1 month ago | thecipherbrief.com | Walter Pincus

OPINION – “[Russian President Vladimir] Putin almost certainly is committed to victory in Ukraine, and his objectives remain mostly unchanged since the beginning of the war: Ukrainian neutrality and a further partition of theUkrainian state.
Listening to a Top Army Officer - and the Secretary of Defense

1 month ago | thecipherbrief.com | Walter Pincus

Posted: May 13th, 2025 OPINION – “The Army is moving quickly to adapt, field new capabilities, and restructure its formations to outpace our adversaries. ‘Transforming in Contact’ (TiC) delivers results in cycles as short as 12 to 18 months, ensuring that forces are always evolving.
The 'Golden Dome' Missile Defense Plan – and a New Arms Race

1 month ago | thecipherbrief.com | Walter Pincus

Posted: May 5th, 2025 OPINION — “The space-based interceptor piece was not in the [missile defense] architecture plan as we were before January 27 [when President Trump announced his Golden Dome program].
A U.S.-Philippines ‘Full-Battle Test’ Aimed at China

2 months ago | thecipherbrief.com | Walter Pincus

Posted: April 29th, 2025 OPINION — “Beijing’s aggressive maneuvers around Taiwan are not just exercises – they are dress rehearsals for forced unification…Russia’s growing military cooperation with China, including joint exercises in the Pacific, adds another layer of complexity to the Indo-Pacific security environment.
Trump’s Dangerous Game with El Salvador

2 months ago | thecipherbrief.com | Walter Pincus

Posted: April 22nd, 2025 OPINION – “We have offered the United States of America the opportunity to outsource part of its prison system. We are willing to take in only convicted criminals (including convicted U.S. citizens) into our mega-prison (CECOT) in exchange for a fee.
In Hegseth Panama Visit, Reading the 'Untranslated' Comments

2 months ago | thecipherbrief.com | Walter Pincus

Posted: April 15th, 2025 OPINION — “Together with Panama in the lead, we will keep the canal secure and available for all nations through the deterrent power of the strongest, most effective and most lethal fighting force in the world. We will do this in partnership with Panama. Together we will take back the Panama Canal from China’s influence, and we will do this along with other capable like-minded allies and partners.
What A U.S. Commander’s Testimony Tells Us About Russia’s War on Ukraine

2 months ago | thecipherbrief.com | Walter Pincus

Posted: April 8th, 2025 OPINION — “The Russian economy has been both bolstered and distorted by this war. Specifically, the Russian government has had to turbo-charge their defense sector and in so doing they have created very strong inflationary pressures throughout the economy, but especially in the civil sector. They’ve responded to that with high interest rates to hold inflation down.
If It’s Trump v. Greenland’s Leaders, I’m Betting on Greenland

2 months ago | thecipherbrief.com | Walter Pincus

Posted: April 1st, 2025 OPINION — “We respect that the United States needs a greater military presence in Greenland, as Vice President Vance mentioned this evening [last Friday]. We – Denmark and Greenland – are very much open to discussing this with you, with an open mind. We still have the [Greenland] defense agreement [between the United States and Denmark] from 1951.
The World According to Trump and Putin

Mar 25, 2025 | thecipherbrief.com | Walter Pincus

Posted: March 25th, 2025 OPINION — “Concerning U.S. President’s proposal to declare a 30-day ceasefire, the Russian side [President Vladimir Putin] outlined a number of significant points regarding ensuring effective control over a possible ceasefire along the entire frontline, as well as the need to stop the forced mobilization in Ukraine and rearming the Armed Forces of Ukraine…It was pointed out [by Putin] that a complete cessation of providing Kiev with foreign military aid and...