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. Seth G. Jones, director and Harold Brown Chair, 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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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.

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Latest Analysis

Photo: MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images

Photo: MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images

A Region Aflame - October 7 A Year Later

On the anniversary of the October 7 attack, the CSIS Middle East Program and International Security Program hosted a conversation with Dr. Dana El Kurd and Dr. Natah Sachs on the war’s political effects, Israel’s concept of victory, and paths toward de-escalation.

Transcript — October 7, 2024

All Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program Content

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A Region Aflame - October 7 A Year Later

The CSIS Middle East Program and International Security Program host a roundtable on the social, political, and security challenges facing the Middle East in the year since the October 7 attacks.

Event — October 7, 2024

The Importance of National Resilience: Implications for Taiwan

Please join CSIS experts Dr. Bonny Lin, Jude Blanchette, Dr. Seth Jones, and Dr. Daniel Byman on Wednesday, July 17, at 3:00 p.m. for a virtual conversation on the importance of national resilience, and its implications for the U.S. and Taiwan. 

Event — July 17, 2024

The Outlook for Israel’s Military Campaign against Hamas

Join CSIS on Monday, October 23, at 1 p.m. ET for a virtual discussion on the latest expert insights into the Israel-Hamas war, Israel’s military campaign outlook, and the implications of a potential Israeli ground invasion of Gaza. 

Event — October 23, 2023

Press Briefing: Latest Insights on Israel-Hamas War

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) will host a call-in press briefing on Friday, October 13, at 11:00 a.m. ET, to present expert insights on the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas War.

Event — October 13, 2023

China's Strategy of Political Warfare: Views from Congress

CSIS recently released the most comprehensive analysis to date of Chinese political warfare activities. On Thursday, September 28, Rep. Rob Wittman joins CSIS expert Seth G. Jones for a deep dive into how Congress is addressing China’s unprecedented campaign.

Event — September 28, 2023

Prigozhin's Uprising

Please join us for a special event on the dramatic events that took place in Russia over the weekend.

Event — June 26, 2023

Lessons in U.S. Intelligence and Special Operations

Hon. Michael Vickers will sit down with Dr. Seth Jones, Dr. Eliot Cohen, and Emily Harding, to discuss his upcoming book, By All Means Available: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy, which is in out in June 2023.

Event — June 16, 2023