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
- Riley McCabe
- Associate Fellow, Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program
- RMcCabe@csis.org
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- ASchwartz@csis.org
- Sofia Chavez
- Media Relations Manager, External Relations
- 202.775.7317
- SChavez@csis.org
Featured Analysis

Photo: Wojciech Grzedzinski/Anadolu via Getty Images
Russia’s Battlefield Woes in Ukraine
Brief by Seth G. Jones and Riley McCabe — June 3, 2025
Latest Analysis

Photo: ALEXANDER SHCHERBAK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The Limits of Russia’s Friendship: How Moscow Sees the Iran Crisis
Commentary by Alexander Palmer and Sofiia Syzonenko — July 8, 2025

How NATO Can Support the United States in Asia
Commentary by Iselin Brady and Daniel Byman — June 23, 2025

Daniel Byman in Foreign Policy: How Trump Could Lose This War
Commentary by Daniel Byman — June 22, 2025

Four Questions Trump Should Consider Before Attacking Iran
Commentary by Daniel Byman — June 20, 2025

Minnesota Attack Is the Latest in a Rising Wave of Political Violence
Commentary by Riley McCabe — June 17, 2025
All Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program Content
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Ukraine’s Westward Shift
Commentary by Alexander Palmer — December 10, 2024
“Al-Assad’s Syria Was Brutal. Will What Comes Next Be Better?”: Audio Brief with Daniel Byman
Podcast Episode by Daniel Byman — December 10, 2024

Base Development in Mali Indicates Continued Russian Involvement
Commentary by Alexander Palmer, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., and Jennifer Jun — December 10, 2024
Assad’s Syria Was Brutal. Will What Comes Next Be Better?
Commentary by Daniel Byman — December 9, 2024
5 Questions About the Cease-Fire Between Israel and Hezbollah: Daniel Byman in Foreign Policy
Commentary by Daniel Byman — November 26, 2024
The Global Terrorism Landscape with the Acting Director of the National Counterterrorism Center
Event — November 12, 2024
The Global Terrorism Landscape with the Acting Director of the National Counterterrorism Center
Transcript — November 12, 2024
The Rising Threat of Anti-Government Domestic Terrorism: What the Data Tells Us
Brief by Riley McCabe — October 21, 2024
“The Rising Threat of Anti-Government Domestic Terrorism: What the Data Tells Us”: Audio Brief with Riley McCabe
Podcast Episode by Riley McCabe — October 21, 2024

Escalating to War between Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran
Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Seth G. Jones — October 11, 2024
