Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program

The Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program (WITT) focuses on the activities and capabilities of countries like China, Russia, and Iran as well as the threat and evolution of paramilitary groups and terrorist networks

Led by Dr. Daniel Byman, the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program (formerly known as the Transnational Threats Project) conducts research and analysis on irregular and hybrid warfare, terrorism, and military operations. The program examines Chinese, Russian, and Iranian irregular and hybrid warfare activities, such as covert action, economic warfare, support to non-state partners, cyber operations, disinformation, political warfare, and espionage. It also assesses terrorist and paramilitary activities by such organizations as Lebanese Hezbollah, Shia militias, the Houthi movement (or Ansar Allah), the Islamic State, al Qaeda, and far-right and far-left extremist networks. Finally, the program researches the military capabilities of China, Russia, and other U.S. adversaries and examines how the United States and its allies can best respond.

The Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program conducts fieldwork overseas, builds and analyzes data sets, and utilizes satellite imagery and other types of qualitative and quantitative analysis. It 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, the program translates its research into high-quality videos, podcasts, reports, visualizations, and other products designed to engage audiences and inform policy discussions through objective analysis. The Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program'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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Photo: Wojciech Grzedzinski/Anadolu via Getty Images

Photo: Wojciech Grzedzinski/Anadolu via Getty Images

Russia’s Battlefield Woes in Ukraine

Russia has performed poorly on the battlefield in Ukraine and will likely hit the 1 million casualty mark in the summer of 2025. New CSIS data details Russia's slow rate of advance, heavy losses of equipment, and significant casualties.

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Brief by Seth G. Jones and Riley McCabe — June 3, 2025

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Aid Cuts Make Peace Negotiations in Ukraine Less Likely

Cutting U.S. aid to Ukraine now would not hasten peace. It would encourage the Kremlin to believe what it has long hoped for—that U.S. resolve is fleeting, and that time is on Russia’s side.

Commentary by Riley McCabe — June 16, 2025

Audio Briefs

What to Know About the Israeli Strike on Iran

An audio version of "⁠What to Know About the Israeli Strike on Iran⁠,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Daniel Byman. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Daniel Byman — June 13, 2025

Audio Briefs

What to Know About the Israeli Strike on Iran

Israel’s military strikes are likely to set back Iran’s nuclear program, but much of the program will remain. Tehran's retaliation options are weaker than before the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel. The instability may suck in the United States despite the Trump administration’s desire to remain uninvolved.

Commentary by Daniel Byman — June 13, 2025

Can Ukraine Survive Without U.S. Aid?

Experts from CSIS’s Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program sat down for a discussion on the possible implications of a partial or complete suspension of U.S. military aid to Ukraine.

Event — June 5, 2025

Russia’s Battlefield Woes in Ukraine

Russia has performed poorly on the battlefield in Ukraine and will likely hit the 1 million casualty mark in the summer of 2025. New CSIS data details Russia's slow rate of advance, heavy losses of equipment, and significant casualties.

Brief by Seth G. Jones and Riley McCabe — June 3, 2025