Transnational Threats Project
The Transnational Threats (TNT) Project focuses on the threat and evolution of terrorist networks and the irregular activities of countries like Russia, Iran, and China
Led by Dr. Seth G. Jones, director and Harold Brown Chair, TNT examines the activities of organizations like the Islamic State, al Qaeda, Lebanese Hezbollah, Shia militias, and far-right and far-left extremist networks—including counterterrorism efforts. TNT also analyzes Russian, Iranian, and Chinese irregular warfare activities, such as covert action, economic warfare, support to non-state partners, cyber operations, disinformation, political warfare, and espionage.
TNT conducts extensive fieldwork overseas, compiles and analyzes data sets, and utilizes satellite imagery and other types of qualitative and quantitative analysis. TNT also draws from an extensive network of policy experts from the U.S. and partner governments, Congress, academia, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector. In partnership with CSIS’s Andreas C. Dracopoulos iDeas Lab, TNT translates its research into high-quality videos, podcasts, reports, visualizations, and other products designed to engage audiences and inform policy discussions through objective analysis. TNT’s work is highly valued by government officials, corporate executives, and other influential leaders seeking to understand, prevent, and counter transnational threats.
Contact Information
- Riley McCabe
- Program Coordinator and Research Assistant, Transnational Threats Project
- rmccabe@csis.org
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
- Paige Montfort
- Media Relations Manager, External Relations
- 202.775.3173
- pmontfort@csis.org
Latest Analysis

Photo: Paula Bronstein /Getty Images
The End of the Beginning in Ukraine
Despite Ukraine’s retaking of Kherson, there are growing calls for Ukraine to end the war through peace talks with Russia. But the conditions are not yet ripe for peace. The United States should continue to aid Ukraine by providing more arms and economic support.
Commentary by Seth G. Jones and Philip G. Wasielewski — November 17, 2022

Will the Ukraine War Reshape the Internet?
Commentary by Gregory F. Treverton and Pari Esfandiari — October 20, 2022

Mapping Ukraine’s Military Advances
Commentary by Seth G. Jones , Jared Thompson , and Riley McCabe — September 22, 2022

Putin’s Proxies: Examining Russia’s Use of Private Military Companies
Congressional Testimony by Catrina Doxsee — September 15, 2022

Zawahiri’s Death and What’s Next for al Qaeda
Critical Questions by Jake Harrington and Jared Thompson — August 4, 2022
All content by Transnational Threats Project
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Massacres, Executions, and Falsified Graves: The Wagner Group’s Mounting Humanitarian Cost in Mali
Commentary by Catrina Doxsee and Jared Thompson — May 11, 2022

Assessing the Pentagon’s Progress on Countering Extremism in the Military
Critical Questions by Catrina Doxsee and Michelle Macander — April 8, 2022

NATO on the Line: The Views of Four Former SACEURs
Event by Seth G. Jones , John J. Hamre , General Philip M. Breedlove , General James L. Jones , General Joseph W. Ralston , and General Wesley K. Clark — March 16, 2022

The End of Operation Barkhane and the Future of Counterterrorism in Mali
Critical Questions by Catrina Doxsee , Jared Thompson , and Marielle Harris — March 2, 2022

Assessing the Russian Military Campaign in Ukraine
Event by Eliot A. Cohen , Emily Harding , Seth G. Jones , and Michael Vickers — March 1, 2022

Russia’s Losing Hand in Ukraine
Brief by Seth G. Jones , Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. , and Philip G. Wasielewski — February 18, 2022

Tracking the Arrival of Russia’s Wagner Group in Mali
Commentary by Jared Thompson , Catrina Doxsee , and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — February 2, 2022

Russia's Gamble in Ukraine
Brief by Seth G. Jones , Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. , and Philip G. Wasielewski — January 27, 2022

Russia’s Possible Invasion of Ukraine
Brief by Seth G. Jones and Philip G. Wasielewski — January 13, 2022

A Stealth Industry: The Quiet Expansion of Chinese Private Security Companies
Brief by Max Markusen — January 12, 2022
