Understanding Irregular Threats Landing Zone
The Irregular Threat landing zone, a one stop location for all things Irregular Threats, provides information on non-state actors doctrine, organization, and tactics in order to support educating the U.S. Army on how Irregular forces fight.
Each Landing Zone is a dynamic, one-stop resource for understanding how threat forces are structured, operate, and fight. Content is regularly updated—check back often and subscribe to stay informed.
The Irregular Threats
Irregular Threats are groups that advocate for or engage in violence to achieve ideological, religious, political, or social objectives. These organizations often operate through terrorism, insurgency, or other forms of political violence. They may target governments, civilians, or rival groups to impose their beliefs, spread fear, or destabilize societies.
Foreign Terrorist Organizations
A foreign organization designated by the U.S. Secretary of State that engages in or has the capability and intent to engage in "terrorist activity" or terrorism that threatens the security of U.S. nationals or the national security of the United States
Violent Extremist Organizations
A group that supports or commits ideologically motivated violence to achieve political, ideological, religious, or social goals. This can include both international terrorist organizations and homegrown violent extremists
Guerrilla
Forces
A type of irregular military force that operates in a small, independent, and loosely organized manner. They engage in unconventional tactics like harassment, sabotage, and surprise attacks to challenge larger, more conventional military forces
Insurgent
Groups
Armed organizations that challenge the authority of a government or state, often through armed rebellion or guerrilla warfare
Proxy
Organizations
A group or entity that receives support from a government (the "sponsor") to carry out actions on the sponsor's behalf, often in a conflict or to achieve specific political or strategic goals. These proxies may be non-state actors like militias, terrorist groups, or even private military companies
Transnational Criminal Organizations
A group of individuals who operate across national borders, using illegal means to achieve gains in power, influence, or money. These groups often protect their activities through violence, corruption, and the exploitation of international commerce and communication.
What's New
Indonesia’s Counterterrorism Successes Highlights Lessons for U.S. Partners
Arabic-Language Media Divided on Hezbollah’s Future
Indonesia’s Counterterrorism Successes Highlights Lessons for U.S. Partners
Arabic-Language Media Divided on Hezbollah’s Future
Nigerian Senator Proposes Employment of Private Military Companies Against Boko Haram
dive into Irregular Threat Tactics military doctrine
Irregular
Threat Tactics
Understand the Irregular Threats approach to conflict and gain insight into how it organizes, equips, and operates.
TC 7-100.3Â Irregular
Opposing Forces
TC 7-100.3 defines the Irregular Opposing Force—insurgents, guerrillas, criminals, and their supporters—creating a realistic hybrid-threat model for Army training across complex operational environments.
ATP 3-37.2
Antiterrorism
 ATP 3-37.2 is written for global operations and provides operational force commanders and antiterrorism officers (ATOs) with the tools and expertise needed for antiterrorism.
Observations and Insights
Contemporary Observations
of Global Events
Access the repository of monthly and quarterly running estimates.Â
TRADOC G-2's foundational research and analysis relies on observations and insights gleaned from contemporary operational environments (OEs) and threats. These insights are documented in monthly running estimate products, which are then disseminated to the force. They serve to enhance understanding of the OE and are integral to TRADOC G-2 analysis. This ensures that TRADOC solutions spanning doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities are grounded in a thorough understanding of the operational environment.Â
Learning and Engagement
Explore interactive training materials that educate on the Irregular Threats and how it fights and engage with the TRADOC Community of Practice.Â
EXPLORE
Explore the historical timeline created by the National Counterterrorism Center. This Indepth timeline spans decades of attacks and the events leading up to them.
Engage
Engage with the TRADOC Community of Practice on MS Teams. Where TRADOC G-2 experts welcome questions and feedback from the Force.
Watch
Watch a curated selection of videos to help understand how Irregular Threats fight and more.
Podcasts
Explore the landscape of terrorism through the lens of media, providing a unique perspective on their strategies. Immerse yourself in these media-based insights to grasp the multifaceted dimensions of Irregular Threats tactics and strategic thinking.
Representing the Persistent Threat in Training
Take your understanding of the persistent threat a step further by representing Irregular Threats and Non State Actors using the Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE). Apply Irregular Threats strategies, capabilities, organizations, and tactics to your training events.Â
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Explore a curated selection of additional resources to deepen your understanding of violent extremist organizations. Included are contributions from centers of excellences across the army, graphic training aids, and other external organizations and products that expand on knowledge and understanding of Irregular Threats.Â
Graphic Training
Aids
Check out graphic training aids such as handbooks, cards, and posters that detail Irregular Threats equipment, organization, and tactics.
Worldwide Equipment Guide
TRADOC G2’s unclassified database on military equipment.
Study Irregular Threats
JP 3-26 chapter two provides an in-depth list of the types of Terrorist / Violent organizations and their structures.Â
Other Contributors
View products from other military and government organizations.
MAD Sci Blog
The OE Enterprise is a wealth of knowledge. Explore more information about Irregular Threats on The MAD Scientist Laboratory.
Irregular Threats NDS focus
The Irregular Warfare (IW) Annex to the National Defense Strategy (NDS)Â outlines a strategy for dealing with malign influences short of war, focusing on great power competition with China, Russia, and Iran.
State Dept CT &
World factbook
Get concise and current information on countries' geography, demographics, government, and economy with the State Dept CT & The CIA World Factbook
Irregular Warfare Initiative
The Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI) bridges the gap between scholars and practitioners to support the community of irregular warfare professionals.
Policy & Research Institutes
