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.

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Interactive Map: Russian and Ukrainian Force Disposition

Explore CSIS’s interactive map of the war in Ukraine. See how the force disposition and front lines in Ukraine have changed over time.

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Latest Analysis

Photo: YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images

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

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Examining Extremism: Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP)

The Transnational Threats Project’s Examining Extremism series provides an overview and assessment of Islamic State Khorasan Province — a regional affiliate of the Islamic State operating in Central and South Asia.

Blog Post by Catrina Doxsee and Jared Thompson — September 8, 2021

Examining Extremism: Violent Animal Rights Extremists

The Transnational Threats Project’s Examining Extremism series provides an overview and assessment of U.S. animal rights extremists—violent, far-left extremists who aim to end the real or perceived abuse and exploitation of animals through sabotage and violence.

Blog Post — August 20, 2021

Examining Extremism: The Militia Movement

The Transnational Threats Project’s Examining Extremism series provides an overview and assessment of the U.S. militia movement—anti-government extremists that engage in paramilitary activities and are motivated by conspiracy theories and opposition to gun control.

Blog Post by Catrina Doxsee — August 12, 2021

Examining Extremism: U.S. Militant Anarchists

The Transnational Threats Project’s Examining Extremism series provides an overview and assessment of U.S. militant anarchists—violent, far-left extremists who oppose the existence of government and promote violence to induce societal change.

Blog Post — August 5, 2021

Examining Extremism: Allied Democratic Forces

The Transnational Threats Project’s Examining Extremism series provides an overview and assessment of the Allied Democratic Forces—an insurgent group operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with links to the Islamic State.

Blog Post by Jared Thompson — July 29, 2021

Examining Extremism: Islamic State in the Greater Sahara

The Transnational Threats Project’s Examining Extremism series provides an overview and assessment of Islamic State in the Greater Sahara—a Salafi-jihadist group expanding across the Sahel.

Blog Post by Jared Thompson — July 22, 2021

Examining Extremism: Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin

The Transnational Threats Project’s Examining Extremism series provides an overview and assessment of JNIM—a Salafi-jihadist organization active in the Sahel Region of sub-Saharan Africa.

Blog Post by Jared Thompson — July 15, 2021

The U.S. Legacy in Afghanistan: Past, Present, and Future

Please join the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Transnational Threats Project on Wednesday, July 7 for a conversation on the U.S. legacy in Afghanistan.

Event by Seth G. Jones , Carter Malkasian , and Gina Bennett — July 8, 2021

Examining Extremism: The Base

The Transnational Threats Project’s Examining Extremism series provides an overview and assessment of The Base—a violent, right-wing extremist group that promotes a race war and the eventual creation of a white ethnostate.

Blog Post — July 8, 2021