  We study infinite covolume discrete subgroups of higher rank semisimple Lie
groups, motivated by understanding basic properties of Anosov subgroups from
various viewpoints (geometric, coarse geometric and dynamical). The class of
Anosov subgroups constitutes a natural generalization of convex cocompact
subgroups of rank one Lie groups to higher rank. Our main goal is to give
several new equivalent characterizations for this important class of discrete
subgroups. Our characterizations capture "rank one behavior" of Anosov
subgroups and are direct generalizations of rank one equivalents to convex
cocompactness. Along the way, we considerably simplify the original definition,
avoiding the geodesic flow. We also show that the Anosov condition can be
relaxed further by requiring only non-uniform unbounded expansion along the
(quasi)geodesics in the group.
