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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Featured Analysis

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.

Listen to Audio Brief

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

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Latest Analysis

Photo: Fabio Murgia/CSIS, Getty Images

Russia-Ukraine War in 10 Charts

Commentary by Seth G. Jones, Riley McCabe, Yasir Atalan, Benjamin Jensen, Romina Bandura, Emma Curtis, Caitlin Welsh, Otto Svendsen, Max Bergmann, Mark F. Cancian, and Chris H. Park — February 24, 2026

All Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program Content

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6 Questions About Operation Epic Fury

The United States and Israel have set a high bar for success in their war on Iran. CSIS's Daniel Byman outlines the key questions surrounding the recent attack in Foreign Policy.

Commentary by Daniel Byman — February 28, 2026

Why Did Pakistan Announce “Open War” Against the Taliban?

Early in the morning of February 27, Pakistan’s defense minister announced “open war” between Pakistan and the Taliban, a group that Islamabad frequently backed in its 30-year quest to rule Afghanistan.

Critical Questions by Alexander Palmer and Alexander Margolis — February 27, 2026

Russia-Ukraine War in 10 Charts

Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has reshaped European security, global markets, and the balance of power. These 10 charts break down the battlefield, economic strain, military aid shifts, reconstruction costs, and what comes next.

Commentary by Seth G. Jones, Riley McCabe, Yasir Atalan, Benjamin Jensen, Romina Bandura, Emma Curtis, Caitlin Welsh, Otto Svendsen, Max Bergmann, Mark F. Cancian, and Chris H. Park — February 24, 2026

What Is Next After the Suicide Attack in Pakistan?

This morning, a suicide bomber attacked a Shia mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan. The most likely perpetrator is the Islamic State–Khorasan Province, which operates both in Afghanistan and Pakistan but has a significant interest in mass-casualty international attacks. 

Critical Questions by Alexander Palmer and Alexander Margolis — February 6, 2026

Audio Briefs

What Is Next After the Suicide Attack in Pakistan?

An audio version of “⁠What Is Next After the Suicide Attack in Pakistan?⁠,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Alexander Palmer and Alexander Margolis. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Alexander Palmer and Alexander Margolis — February 6, 2026

Audio Briefs

Russia’s Grinding War in Ukraine

Despite claims of success in Ukraine, new CSIS data shows that Russia is paying an extraordinary price for minimal gains, with over 1.2 million casualties. Russia is also in decline as a major economic power with slow growth, weak productivity, and declining manufacturing.

Brief by Seth G. Jones and Riley McCabe — January 27, 2026