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: YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images
How Does the Conflict in Sudan Affect Russia and the Wagner Group?
Amid the violent power struggle in Sudan, Russia’s Wagner Group will likely act in defense of its own interests in the country—gold mining, smuggling networks, and the potential to establish a Russian naval base on the Red Sea.
Commentary by Catrina Doxsee — April 20, 2023

Ukrainian Innovation in a War of Attrition
Brief by Seth G. Jones , Riley McCabe , and Alexander Palmer — February 27, 2023

The U.S. Defense Industrial Base Is Not Prepared for a Possible Conflict with China
Digital Report by Seth G. Jones — February 22, 2023

Empty Bins in a Wartime Environment: The Challenge to the U.S. Defense Industrial Base
Report by Seth G. Jones — January 23, 2023

The End of the Beginning in Ukraine
Commentary by Seth G. Jones and Philip G. Wasielewski — November 17, 2022
All content by Transnational Threats Project
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Assessing Russia’s War in Ukraine
Event by Eliot A. Cohen , Emily Harding , Seth G. Jones , and Michael Vickers — June 16, 2022
Russia’s Ill-Fated Invasion of Ukraine: Lessons in Modern Warfare
Brief by Seth G. Jones — June 1, 2022
U.S. Defense Posture in the Middle East
Report by Seth G. Jones and Seamus P. Daniels — May 19, 2022
Pushed to Extremes: Domestic Terrorism amid Polarization and Protest
Brief by Catrina Doxsee , Seth G. Jones , Jared Thompson , Kateryna Halstead , and Grace Hwang — May 17, 2022
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