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.

Contact Information

Media Queries

Featured Analysis

Photo: Anwar Amro/AFP/Getty Images

The Coming Conflict with Hezbollah

Since October 7, 2023, there have been over 4,400 attacks by Israel and Hezbollah combined, and the risk of war is high. Hezbollah has also repeatedly violated UN Security Council Resolution 1701 by deploying forces and firing weapons against Israel.

View CSIS Brief

Latest Analysis

Photo: HAZEM BADER/AFP/Getty Images

Photo: HAZEM BADER/AFP/Getty Images

One Question Looming Over Israel-Hamas Truce Deal—Why Now?

Biden has been pushing for a ceasefire agreement for over a year. What allowed it to succeed now? CSIS’s Daniel Byman explains in a new piece for Foreign Policy.

Commentary by Daniel Byman — January 15, 2025

All Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program Content

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The Future of Irregular Warfare

Please join the CSIS Defense and Security Department on Tuesday, January 7 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET, for a virtual conversation with Christopher Maier, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict. 

Event — January 7, 2025

Audio Briefs

Ukraine’s Westward Shift

An audio version of “Ukraine’s Westward Shift,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Alexander Palmer. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Alexander Palmer — December 19, 2024

Audio Briefs
The Truth of the Matter

Piecing Together What Happened in Syria

CSIS's Norman Roule joins the podcast to discuss the actors that enabled the Assad regime to survive for so long, how bureaucratic rot in Russia and Iran enabled Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to move south so quickly, and actions the U.S. can take to support peace in the region.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Norman T. Roule — December 12, 2024

CSIS the truth of the matter

Strengthening Resilience in Taiwan

Taiwan has taken important steps to strengthen resilience over the last several years. However, the threat it faces is significant, and it falls short in many important dimensions of resilience.

Report by Daniel Byman, Seth G. Jones, and Jude Blanchette — December 11, 2024