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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Examining Extremism: The Boogaloo Movement
Blog Post by Jared Thompson — June 30, 2021
Examining Extremism: Antifa
Blog Post by Seth G. Jones and Catrina Doxsee — June 24, 2021
The First U.S. National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism
Critical Questions by Catrina Doxsee and Jake Harrington — June 17, 2021
Examining Extremism: The Oath Keepers
Blog Post by Eric McQueen — June 17, 2021
Examining Extremism: QAnon
Blog Post — June 10, 2021
The Military, Police, and the Rise of Terrorism in the United States
Brief by Seth G. Jones , Catrina Doxsee , Grace Hwang , and Jared Thompson — April 12, 2021
The Future of Competition: U.S. Adversaries and the Growth of Irregular Warfare
Commentary by Seth G. Jones — February 4, 2021
Escaping the Graveyard of Empires? U.S. Options in Afghanistan
Critical Questions by Seth G. Jones — January 26, 2021
Data: Governance and Geopolitics
Commentary by Gregory F. Treverton and Pari Esfandiari — January 11, 2021
Online Event: A Conversation with AFSOC Commander Lt. Gen. Jim Slife
Event by Seth G. Jones and Lieutenant General James C. "Jim" Slife — November 23, 2020