Riley McCabe

Associate Fellow, Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program
Riley McCabe

Riley McCabe is an associate fellow for the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). His research focuses on military operations, terrorism, and the irregular warfare activities of countries such as Russia and China. Riley has previously supported the work of the intelligence fellow, the fellow for future war, gaming, and strategy, and the Risk and Foresight Group at CSIS. Outside of CSIS, he is a member of the editorial board for the Irregular Warfare Initiative at the Modern War Institute at West Point. Riley holds a BA from Occidental College in diplomacy and world affairs.

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Global Terrorism Threat Assessment 2025

Terrorism remains a threat to U.S. citizens, assets, and interests despite the national security community’s decreasing focus on counterterrorism.

Report by Alexander Palmer, Riley McCabe, Daniel Byman, and Skyeler Jackson — March 28, 2025

The Escalating Attacks on Tesla Facilities

Since January 2025, a series of attacks have targeted Tesla facilities and vehicles across the United States, bringing renewed attention to a long-standing debate among policymakers, scholars, and law enforcement over what qualifies as domestic terrorism.

Critical Questions by Riley McCabe — March 20, 2025

Audio Briefs

The Escalating Attacks on Tesla Facilities

An audio version of “The Escalating Attacks on Tesla Facilities,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Riley McCabe. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Riley McCabe — March 20, 2025

Audio Briefs

Ismail Haniyeh’s Assassination: Escalation or an Off-Ramp?

Ismail Haniyeh’s death represents a pivotal moment that could plunge the region into a broader and more destructive war or crack open the door for Netanyahu to claim victory against Hamas and eye a path to reduce Israeli military operations in Gaza.

Commentary by Riley McCabe — August 1, 2024

Audio Briefs

Ismail Haniyeh’s Assassination: Escalation or an Off-Ramp?

An audio version of “Ismail Haniyeh’s Assassination: Escalation or an Off-Ramp?,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Riley McCabe. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Riley McCabe — August 1, 2024

Audio Briefs

The Coming Conflict with Hezbollah

Since October 7, 2023, there have been over 4,400 attacks by Israel and Hezbollah combined, and the risk of war is high. Hezbollah has also repeatedly violated UN Security Council Resolution 1701 by deploying forces and firing weapons against Israel.

Brief by Seth G. Jones, Daniel Byman, Alexander Palmer, and Riley McCabe — March 21, 2024

Global Terrorism Threat Assessment 2024

Terrorism is no longer the top U.S. defense priority, but the complexity of the global terrorist landscape demands continued vigilance.

Report by Catrina Doxsee, Alexander Palmer, and Riley McCabe — February 8, 2024