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.

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: 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

Filter by

21 - 30 of 236 results
The Truth of the Matter

Iran’s Next Act & Houthis' Next Move

CSIS’s Norman Roule, who served in the Central Intelligence Agency for over three decades, joins the podcast to discuss the recent election in Iran and what it means for the United States. In addition, Roule discusses Iran’s role in attempting to influence the Middle East and Africa, plus a conversation about the Houthi activities in the Red Sea.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Norman T. Roule — July 15, 2024

CSIS the truth of the matter

NATO and Countering Hybrid Warfare

In the future, NATO countries must step up their efforts to protect against Russian-backed extremists as well as Russian hybrid warfare.

Commentary by Daniel Byman — July 12, 2024

Audio Briefs

Can Iran’s New President Change the Regime’s Confrontational Foreign Policy?

An audio version of “Can Iran’s New President Change the Regime’s Confrontational Foreign Policy?,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Daniel Byman and Katherine Trauger. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Daniel Byman and Katherine Trauger — July 9, 2024

Audio Briefs
Audio Briefs

Unpacking China’s Naval Buildup

An audio version of “Unpacking China’s Naval Buildup,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Alexander Palmer, Henry Carroll, Nicholas Velazquez. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Alexander Palmer, Henry H. Carroll, and Nicholas Velazquez — June 5, 2024

Audio Briefs

Unpacking China’s Naval Buildup

Already the world's largest navy, the People's Liberation Army Navy is positioned to overtake the U.S. Navy in several indicators of naval power within ten years.

Commentary by Alexander Palmer, Henry H. Carroll, and Nicholas Velazquez — June 5, 2024

Audio Briefs

Assessing Israel’s Strike on Iran

An audio summary of CSIS’s Alexander Palmer, Daniel Byman, Seth G. Jones, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr.’s new commentary, “Assessing Israel’s Strike on Iran.” This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Alexander Palmer, Daniel Byman, Seth G. Jones, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — May 3, 2024

Audio Briefs

Assessing Israel’s Strike on Iran

In its April 19 attack on Iran, Israel avoided further escalation, while also threatening Iran's most sensitive locations. New CSIS analysis shows how it walked the tightrope.

Commentary by Alexander Palmer, Daniel Byman, Seth G. Jones, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — May 3, 2024

How Might Israel Strike Back?

Israel has vowed to retaliate for Iran's drone and missile attack. The government needs to restore deterrence and satisfy its own population, but all its options have costs and risks.

Commentary by Daniel Byman — April 16, 2024