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: Anatolii Stepanov/AFP/Getty Images
Ukraine’s Offensive Operations: Shifting the Offense-Defense Balance
A new CSIS analysis concludes that Russian fortifications in Ukraine are the most extensive defensive works in Europe since World War II, but the Ukrainian military could effectively combine strategy, technology, and geography to retake territory seized by Russia.
Brief by Seth G. Jones , Alexander Palmer , and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — June 9, 2023

How Does the Conflict in Sudan Affect Russia and the Wagner Group?
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
All content by Transnational Threats Project
Filter by
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
The War Comes Home: The Evolution of Domestic Terrorism in the United States
Brief by Seth G. Jones , Catrina Doxsee , James Suber , Grace Hwang , and Nicholas Harrington — October 22, 2020
Online Event: A Conversation with NCTC Director Christopher Miller
Event by Seth G. Jones and Christopher Miller — October 8, 2020
Online Event: Domestic Terrorism and the U.S. Presidential Election
Event by Seth G. Jones , Suzanne Spaulding , and Brian Michael Jenkins — September 30, 2020
Violence in the Streets of America
Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Seth G. Jones — September 3, 2020

Terrorism in the U.S.
Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Seth G. Jones — August 24, 2020

The Tactics and Targets of Domestic Terrorists
Brief by Seth G. Jones , Catrina Doxsee , and Nicholas Harrington — July 30, 2020
Moscow’s Next Front: Russia’s Expanding Military Footprint in Libya
Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. and Brian Katz — June 17, 2020
The Escalating Terrorism Problem in the United States
Brief by Seth G. Jones , Catrina Doxsee , and Nicholas Harrington — June 17, 2020