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

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Audio Briefs

“A Wolf in Ship’s Clothing”: Audio Brief with Alexander Palmer

A short, spoken-word summary from CSIS’s Alexander Palmer on his commentary with Delaney Duff, Jennifer Jun, and Joseph Bermudez, A Wolf in Ship’s Clothing: Russia’s Militarization of Civilian Vessels in the Black Sea.

Podcast Episode by Alexander Palmer — August 24, 2023

Audio Briefs

Base Expansion in Mali Indicates Growing Wagner Group Investment

Contrary to rumors that the Wagner Group is weakening, CSIS analyzes recent satellite imagery showing that Wagner is expanding its base capacity in Bamako and may intend to soon transfer additional valuable military equipment to Mali.

Commentary by Catrina Doxsee, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., and Jennifer Jun — August 15, 2023

The Islamic State Threat in Pakistan: Trends and Scenarios

Recent Islamic State attacks in Pakistan suggest that the terrorist group remains willing and able to conduct high-casualty attacks on civilian targets but will probably remain a localized threat.

Commentary by Alexander Palmer and Mackenzie Holtz — August 3, 2023

Asked and Answered: China’s Strategy of Political Warfare

CSIS's Seth G. Jones discusses his latest report examining how China is conducting an aggressive and unprecedented campaign below the threshold of armed conflict to expand the influence of the Chinese Communist Party and weaken the United States and its partners.

Commentary by Seth G. Jones and Lauren Adler — August 3, 2023

Examining Extremism: Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS)

The Transnational Threats Project's Examining Extremism series provides an overview and assessment of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, a former Al Qaeda affiliate now seeking international legitimacy in Syria.

Blog Post by Mackenzie Holtz — August 3, 2023

China's Strategy of Political Warfare

China is conducting an aggressive and unprecedented campaign below the threshold of armed conflict to expand the influence of the Chinese Communist Party and weaken the United States and its partners.

Report by Seth G. Jones, Emily Harding, Catrina Doxsee, Jake Harrington, and Riley McCabe — August 2, 2023