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Why Did the United States Conduct Strikes in Nigeria?

Isolated strikes like the ones carried out by the United States are unlikely to significantly reduce the terrorist threat in the region or reverse Nigeria’s growing insecurity.

Critical Questions by Alexander Palmer and Erin Oppel — December 26, 2025

Improving U.S. Cooperation with Allies and Partners

To make the most of its vast network of allies and partners, the United States must understand the barriers inhibiting U.S.-allied cooperation and devise ways to overcome them.

Report by Daniel Byman, Alexander Palmer, Audrey Aldisert, Henry H. Carroll, Cynthia R. Cook, Chris H. Park, and Seth G. Jones — October 14, 2025

The Wrong Way to Fight the Cartels: CSIS Experts in Foreign Affairs

Experts from the CSIS Americas Program and Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program argue in Foreign Affairs that President Trump’s approach to the cartels risks repeating the mistakes of the “War on Terror.”

Commentary by Ryan C. Berg, Daniel Byman, Iselin Brady, Riley McCabe, Alexander Palmer, and Henry Ziemer — September 15, 2025

Can Ukraine Fight Without U.S. Aid? Seven Questions to Ask

A complete cutoff of U.S. aid would significantly harm Ukraine’s ability to fight Russia but would not necessarily lead to immediate defeat—and more limited cutoffs would have more limited effects on Ukraine’s battlefield performance.

Report by Iselin Brady, Daniel Byman, Riley McCabe, and Alexander Palmer — May 19, 2025

Global Terrorism Threat Assessment 2025

Terrorism remains a threat to U.S. citizens, assets, and interests despite the national security community’s decreasing focus on counterterrorism.

Report by Alexander Palmer, Riley McCabe, Daniel Byman, and Skyeler Jackson — March 28, 2025

Jihadist Terrorism in the United States

Despite the attack in New Orleans, long-term trends suggest that jihadist terrorism in the U.S. is not resurgent. The number of jihadist plots and attacks in the U.S. has been low and the average lethality of attacks has also fallen since the territorial defeat of ISIS. 

Brief by Alexander Palmer, Skyeler Jackson, and Daniel Byman — January 21, 2025