The Combating Threats Exchange (CTX) is a biannual peer-reviewed online journal, amplifying the voices of those entrenched in the frontlines of irregular warfare and counterterrorism. Here, firsthand accounts and analyses penned by special operations personnel intermingle with discussions on policy, trends, and operations, crafted by a diverse cadre of contributors spanning government officials, researchers, CT professionals, and investigative journalists across five continents. Our mission is clear: to cultivate camaraderie within the CT and IW community by providing a platform for members to share their wealth of knowledge, experiences, and narratives with peers worldwide.

CTX embodies the collective expertise, experiences, and wisdom of military, academic, and government luminaries, distilling firsthand insights and lessons crucial to global security. Diverging from conventional academic journals, many of our articles are delivered in the first person by individuals who have truly "been there, done that," transcending traditional boundaries to foster vibrant international collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Articles accepted after rigorous peer-review find their digital abode on our website, subsequently amalgamating into biannual CTX issues. Each edition offers a mosaic of international voices contributing to fields such as counterterrorism, irregular and hybrid warfare, energy and climate security, and women in peace and security, among others.

Inaugurated in 2011 by Dr. Michael Freeman, alongside executive editor Dr. Anna Simons, former managing editor Julie McClennon, and designer and research associate Amelia Weld, CTX embarked on its maiden voyage in August 2012. As the flagship initiative of the Global Education Community Collaboration Online (Global ECCO), CTX spearheads communication, partnership, and mutual support among CT professionals worldwide, under the auspices of the Combating Terrorism Fellowship Program.

CTX diverges from conventional military publications, featuring original articles tailored by practitioners, for practitioners. The majority of our features are recounted in the first person by those who have navigated the crucible of conflict. Since its inception, CTX has championed submissions that challenge conventional wisdom or present fresh perspectives and insights.

Moreover, CTX periodically dedicates special issues to topics of particular relevance to the CT community. Previous themes have explored terrorism in cyberspace, evolving intelligence concerns, net assessment in irregular warfare, and the evolving roles of NATO special operations forces in an era characterized by hybrid operations and warfare.

DISCLAIMER

This journal is not an official DoD publication. The views expressed or implied within are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of any governmental or nongovernmental organization or agency of the United States of America or any other country.

TERMS OF COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2025 by the author(s), except where otherwise noted. The Combating Threats Exchange journal (CTX) is a peer-reviewed, biannual journal available free of charge to individuals and institutions. Copies of this journal and the articles contained herein may be printed or downloaded and redistributed for personal, research, or educational purposes free of charge and without permission, except if otherwise noted. Any commercial use of CTX or the articles published herein is expressly prohibited without the written consent of the copyright holder. The copyright of all articles published herein rests with the author(s) of the article, unless otherwise noted.