Terrorism and Irregular Warfare

The CSIS Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program collaborates with the International Security Program, Middle East Program, Africa Program, and more to provide analysis on irregular and hybrid warfare, terrorist violence, and military operations. 

Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Will AI Concerns Become a New Source of Terrorism?

What is the risk that fears about AI will motivate terrorist attacks? This analysis examines the record of anti-AI violence so far, how and why new terrorist causes emerge, and what that history suggests for AI-related violence.

Brief by Daniel Byman and Riley McCabe — October 22, 2026

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Daniel Byman

Daniel Byman

Director, Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program
Seth G. Jones

Seth G. Jones

President, Defense and Security Department; Harold Brown Chair
Jon Alterman

Jon B. Alterman

Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy
Alexander Palmer

Alexander Palmer

Deputy Director and Fellow, Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program

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Will AI Concerns Become a New Source of Terrorism?

What is the risk that fears about AI will motivate terrorist attacks? This analysis examines the record of anti-AI violence so far, how and why new terrorist causes emerge, and what that history suggests for AI-related violence.

Brief by Daniel Byman and Riley McCabe — October 22, 2026

The Postwar Threat to Gulf Energy Infrastructure

As Gulf states build new pipelines to reduce Iran’s leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran is likely to adapt. Pipelines offer greater resilience, but remain vulnerable to Iranian missiles, drones, sabotage, and other attacks on critical energy infrastructure.

Report by Daniel Byman and Alden Ness — October 6, 2026

The Last Line of Defense

25 Years After 9/11: Is America Prepared for the Next Crisis?

Host Dr. Seth Jones sits down with Dr. Dan Byman, director of the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program at CSIS and professor at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Podcast Episode by Seth G. Jones and Daniel Byman — September 11, 2026

The Last Line of Defence

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Terrorism

AI will not transform terrorism overnight. Its more likely effect is subtler: lowering barriers for extremist propaganda, recruitment, disinformation, and planning while strengthening counterterrorism tools and surveillance risks.

Brief by Daniel Byman and V.S. Subrahmanian — July 10, 2026