Alexander Palmer

Fellow, Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program
Alexander Palmer

Alexander Palmer is a fellow in the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Prior to joining CSIS, he worked in Afghanistan, where he provided security analysis to humanitarian and UN staff before and after the withdrawal of international military forces in August 2021. He holds a master in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

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Global Terrorism Threat Assessment 2026

Terrorism is currently declining as a U.S. national security priority, and resources available for counterterrorism are decreasing accordingly. At the same time, uncertainty regarding the future of global terrorism is increasing, bringing greater risk of surprise.

Report by CSIS Scholars — May 26, 2026

Energy Infrastructure and the Defense Industrial Base

This paper recommends extending defense-critical electric infrastructure designations to industrial nodes, creating dedicated permitting and finance pathways to facilitate energy production, and integrating energy resilience into supply chain risk assessments.

Brief by Joseph Majkut, Alexander Palmer, and Raj Sawhney — March 17, 2026

Audio Briefs

Why Did Pakistan Announce “Open War” Against the Taliban?

An audio version of "⁠Why Did Pakistan Announce 'Open War' Against the Taliban?⁠," a new commentary by CSIS's Alexander Palmer and Alexander Margolis. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Alexander Palmer and Alexander Margolis — February 27, 2026

Audio Briefs

Why Did Pakistan Announce “Open War” Against the Taliban?

Early in the morning of February 27, Pakistan’s defense minister announced “open war” between Pakistan and the Taliban, a group that Islamabad frequently backed in its 30-year quest to rule Afghanistan.

Critical Questions by Alexander Palmer and Alexander Margolis — February 27, 2026

What Is Next After the Suicide Attack in Pakistan?

This morning, a suicide bomber attacked a Shia mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan. The most likely perpetrator is the Islamic State–Khorasan Province, which operates both in Afghanistan and Pakistan but has a significant interest in mass-casualty international attacks. 

Critical Questions by Alexander Palmer and Alexander Margolis — February 6, 2026

Audio Briefs

What Is Next After the Suicide Attack in Pakistan?

An audio version of “⁠What Is Next After the Suicide Attack in Pakistan?⁠,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Alexander Palmer and Alexander Margolis. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Alexander Palmer and Alexander Margolis — February 6, 2026

Audio Briefs