| From | Clarion Project <[email protected]> |
| Subject | Iran Sponsored the October 7 Massacre - America Paid for It |
| Date | December 21, 2023 2:05 PM |
Links have been removed from this email. Learn more in the FAQ.
Links have been removed from this email. Learn more in the FAQ.
Iran's involvement in the Oct 7 attack has become harder to deny
[View in browser]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)
The Extremism Roundup
=====================
**Promoting Civil Discourse and Marginalizing the Extremes**
A weekly compilation of the most important developments in the struggle against radical ideologies
Islamist Extremism
------------------
*Stockpile of weapons manufactured and acquired for ISIS by the Dannon brothers, Indiana - Department of Justice via WishTV.com screenshot*
**Brothers Sentenced for Manufacturing and Distributing Firearms for ISIS**
-
Moyad Dannon, of Fishers, Ind., was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release for attempting to provide firearms to the designated foreign terrorist organization ISIS. Dannon's brother, Mahde, had previously been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the same charges.
-
Dannon and his brother engaged in a scheme to deliver stolen firearms, sold illegally obtained firearms, and manufactured untraceable "ghost guns" to an undercover FBI agent, believing the weapons would be shipped to ISIS.
-
The Dannon brothers manufactured fully automatic .223 caliber rifles, aware that the weapons were intended for shipment to ISIS. They agreed to produce and sell at least 55 additional fully automatic "ghost guns" for this purpose.
-
Moyad Dannon expressed his desire to travel to ISIS-controlled areas in Syria to provide direct military assistance, showcasing his knowledge of firearms. FBI agents found a flash drive with ISIS propaganda, including violent videos, during a search following his arrest. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Tennessee Muslim Family Assault Son for Converting to Christianity**
-
A Muslim family in Nashville was arrested for allegedly assaulting their son after he converted to Christianity.
-
The victim reported that his father, mother, and brother punched him, spat in his face, and scratched his hand with a knife.
-
The family allegedly demanded that the son renounce Christianity and return to Islam.
-
Police conducted a welfare check after concerns were raised by the victim's employer, finding the victim with visible injuries and transferring him to a local hospital. The father, mother, and brother were arrested on charges of domestic assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Iraqi Immigrant Fires Into New York Synagogue**
-
Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, a 28-year-old U.S. citizen born in Iraq, was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person after firing two rounds from a shotgun outside Temple Israel in Albany, N.Y.
-
He shouted "Free Palestine" during the incident, but it's unclear whether it was during the arrest or when he fired the weapon.
-
The incident is being investigated as a potential hate crime, occurring just before Hanukkah, and both city police and the FBI are involved in the investigation. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Muslim Lawmaker Disrupts Christmas Party Over Palestine**
-
Vice President Kamala Harris faced a disruption during her holiday party as Delaware state Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton unfurled a sign reading "ceasefire" and shouted about the situation in Bethlehem, urging Harris to call for a ceasefire.
-
Wilson-Anton, the first Muslim elected official in Delaware, expressed concern over the conflict in Bethlehem and the impact on Christmas celebrations.
-
Harris responded, stating, "I appreciate you wanting to be heard, but right now I’m speaking," as Wilson-Anton was escorted out of the party.
-
The incident comes amid calls from some lawmakers and activists for the Biden administration to advocate for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
Militant-Right & Militant-Left Extremism
----------------------------------------
*Neo-Nazis salute outside a drag queen story hour in Concord, N.H., on June 18 - @juicygarland Twitter page via NBC News screenshot*
**
**New Hampshire AG Filed Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Neo-Nazi Group**
-
The New Hampshire attorney general's office filed a civil rights lawsuit against the neo-Nazi group NSC-131 and its leader, Christopher Hood, alleging disruption of a drag story hour at an LGBTQ-owned coffee shop in Concord.
-
The complaint accuses 19 unnamed members of NSC-131 of violating the state's anti-discrimination laws through acts of intimidation during the drag story hour in June.
-
The neo-Nazis, wearing masks and matching attire, were captured on video shouting, raising their right arms, and banging on the coffee shop's windows during the Pride Month event.
-
If found guilty of violating anti-discrimination laws, Hood and the 19 unnamed individuals could face a $10,000 penalty. The lawsuit is part of efforts to combat acts of hate targeting the LGBT community. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Five Sentenced for Firebombing Police Vehicles**
- Five individuals in Arkansas have been sentenced for their involvement in fire bombings of multiple police vehicles in 2020.
- The group damaged police vehicles, threw Molotov cocktails, and vandalized police stations in Little Rock, Shannon Hills, and North Little Rock, Ark.
- The case resulted in guilty pleas from all five defendants, with varying charges related to arson, conspiracy, and possession of destructive devices.
- The defendants received prison sentences ranging from 18 months to five-and-a-half years, along with terms of supervised release. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Feds Arrest Neo-Nazi Cult Leader**
- Kalana Limkin, leader of a racist pedophile cult, was arrested in Hawaii following a seven-month FBI investigation into a network spreading neo-Nazi ideology and exploiting children.
- Limkin admitted to creating "Cultist," a group targeting children, using Discord and Telegram to share extreme content, including child sexual abuse material, to desensitize and groom minors for future violence.
- The cult is an offshoot of the satanic anarchist organization "764," which follows The Order of Nine Angles (O9A), advocating societal destruction through criminal acts, violence, and terrorism.
- Limkin faces charges for posting child sexual abuse material on Discord, exploiting a minor, and possessing child pornography. The FBI had warned about groups like "764" targeting youth online. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Man Sentenced for White Supremacist Graffiti**
- Daniel Alec Hotte, of Dana Point, Calif., has been sentenced to 180 days in county jail and two years of probation for federal vandalism and felony hate crime charges.
- Hotte pleaded guilty to spraying white supremacist graffiti over the "Poderosas" mural in Costa Mesa, dedicated to honoring strong Latina women, including civil rights leader Dolores Huerta and local heroine Modesta Avila.
- In October 2022, Hotte was witnessed scratching out names on the mural and adding white supremacist phrases. He fled the scene but was later arrested for the incident. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Arrest Warrant Issued For Neo-Nazi Vandal**
- Los Angeles County prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Klinton Allister Dion, 32, suspected of antisemitic vandalism, including incidents at Temple Emanu El in Burbank.
- Dion allegedly drew Nazi symbols, including swastikas and SS symbols, at various locations, such as a Glendale IHOP, an apartment complex in Burbank, and Burbank’s Emmanuel Church between Nov. 22 and Nov. 27.
- The suspect faces two counts of vandalism of religious property as a hate crime and 10 counts of hate crime for displaying Nazi symbols on public and private property. If convicted, Dion could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
Hate Crime
------------
*Hundreds gather for the lighting of a new menorah at Lake Merritt in Oakland, Calif., after the original menorah was vandalized - KGO via ABC News screenshot*
**Hate Crime Investigation Over Destruction of Menorah in Oakland**
-
A 9-foot-tall menorah in Oakland, Calif., was destroyed and thrown into a lake during Hanukkah, prompting a hate crime investigation by the police.
-
The menorah was vandalized around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The act involved destruction of the menorah and hateful graffiti, creating a significant public disturbance.
-
The Chabad Jewish Center of Oakland inaugurated a new menorah in place of the vandalized one. The incident led to a show of solidarity, with hundreds attending the menorah lighting. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Minor Arrested With Detailed Plan to Attack Reform Temple**
-
A 13-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with inducing panic and disorderly conduct for sharing a detailed plan to attack Temple Israel, a Reform Jewish congregation in Canton, Ohio.
-
The accused reportedly created the mass shooting plan on the Discord platform, which was reported to law enforcement on September 1, causing significant public alarm.
-
The synagogue's website prominently states "We stand with Israel," and the Cleveland regional office of the Anti-Defamation League expressed horror at the arrest, thanking law enforcement for the thorough investigation. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Arrest Warrant Issued for Antisemitic Hate Crime**
-
An arrest warrant has been issued for Ethan W. Hanson, 21, charged with a hate crime for throwing rocks at Jewish UW-Madison students from a rooftop.
-
Hanson faces a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge as a hate crime for the incident, which occurred on November 7 during a vigil on campus. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
School Threats
----------------
*Nelsen Middle School, Washington, via KIRO 7 News screenshoot*
**Teen Arrested for Threats to Washington Schools**
-
A 14-year-old suspect was arrested for making threats against Nelsen Middle School and Renton High School in the Renton School District in Washington.
-
The arrested teen does not attend school in the Renton District but resides near Nelsen Middle School. Police mentioned past interactions with the teenager and are investigating the possibility of others being involved in the threats. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Kentucky Juvenile Arrested After Social Media Threats**
-
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office received reports of threats made by a student at Ignite Institute in Northern Kentucky on Saturday evening.
-
Following a thorough investigation, deputies charged a juvenile offender with second-degree terroristic threatening in connection to the reported threats. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
Hostile Foreign Influence Operations
------------------------------------
*Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military personnel at pro-Hamas rally in Tehran in Nov. 2023 - HOSSEIN BERIS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images*
**Iran Sponsored the October 7 Massacre; America Paid for It**
-
The detailed reporting on Iran’s direct involvement in the Oct. 7 massacre that has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and in the Israeli press stands in stark contrast with the public assertions of the Biden administration about the lack of any Iranian involvement.
-
A [Wall Street Journal article]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email) on October 8 exposed how Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps worked with Hamas to plan the attack.
-
A [New York Times article]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email) on October 13 reported the commander of Iran's Qud Force was directly involved in this planning.
-
A [Wall Street Journal article]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email) on October 25 revealed that hundreds of Hamas fighters received specialized combat training in Iran in the weeks preceeding October 7.
-
A [Jerusalem Post article]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email) from November 5 indicated that the attack was originally scheduled for Passover, but was delayed by Iran. The article speculates that the reason may have been the ongoing negotiations with the U.S. over the $6 billion in Iranian assets that were released in September.
-
The Biden administration confirmed that Iran has accessed the additional $10 billion that the U.S. released in November and continues to deny any knowledge of Iran's involvement in the attack. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Fake TikTok Accounts Spreading Russia-Ukraine Disinformation**
-
A recent report by TikTok states fake accounts have disseminated disinformation related to Russia's war in Ukraine, targeting Ukrainian and Russian users, as well as individuals across Europe. The content on these accounts aimed to "artificially amplify pro-Russian narratives" on the war. Some accounts were falsely presented as news outlets, contributing to the spread of deceptive information.
-
Around 13,000 fake accounts, primarily operated from Russia, were identified by TikTok, with the majority pushing Kremlin war propaganda. Some accounts operated from within Ukraine, amplifying narratives to raise funds for the Ukrainian military. TikTok, in response, removed all identified fake accounts. The combined followers of these accounts exceeded one million. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Russia Uses Fake Celebrity Videos to Spread Disinformation**
-
The Kremlin is using fake celebrity cameos, taken from the Cameo app, in its information war against the West. Recently, a video of actor Elijah Wood, originally recorded on Cameo, was repurposed to falsely denigrate Ukrainian President Zelensky as part of Russia’s disinformation efforts.
-
The manipulated videos, featuring celebrities like Shavo Odadjian, John McGinley, Dean Norris, Priscilla Presley, and Kate Flannery, spread on Russian social media and were later featured by government-controlled news organizations. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
Research and Trends in Extremism
--------------------------------
*Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images*
**EU Probes X Over Failure to Counter Disinformation**
-
The European Union has initiated infringement proceedings against social media platform X (formerly Twitter) under the Digital Services Act (DSA) over suspected failures in combating content disinformation and manipulation.
-
The probe focuses on X's alleged breaches of transparency obligations, duties to counter illegal content and disinformation, and a "deceptive" design of the user interface, particularly concerning its blue checkmarks.
-
X, led by Elon Musk, responded by stating its commitment to complying with the DSA and cooperating with the regulatory process. The investigation will assess X's efforts to combat illegal content, counter information manipulation, and enhance transparency. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
Have You Found A Story You Think We Should Cover?
-------------------------------------------------
If you see an article on violent extremism in the U.S. or hostile foreign influence that is reliable, timely, and fits into one of the six categories that we cover in this newsletter, please send us a note, either by replying directly to this email or by [**submitting a contact form**]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email) under the appropriate "news tip" category.
QUOTABLE
=
“Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle.”
*- Thomas Jefferson*
NOTE TO OUR READERS: We have pulled out the salient points of the articles in this newsletter to keep you informed and focused on the most relevant, important and timely news in national security and extremism. While our national security experts stand behind the summary bullets and deem them trustworthy, Clarion Project does not endorse all the views expressed in the articles linked.
**SUPPORT CLARION PROJECT’S VITAL WORK**
----------------------------------------
Help us create a world unafraid. Make a donation to help us expose extremists who threaten our safety and security. The Clarion Project is a registered 501(c)(3), donations are tax deductible.
[DONATE NOW]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)
**RECEIVED THIS EMAIL FROM A FRIEND?**
--------------------------------------
[Sign Up to The Extremism Roundup]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email) - delivered every Thursday
*Copyright © 2022 Clarion Project, All rights reserved.*
Clarion Project
2435 North Central Expressway
Suite 1280
Richardson, TX 75080
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can [update your preferences](?utm_source=sendinblue&utm_campaign=Extremism_Roundup 202312-21&utm_medium=email) or [unsubscribe from this list]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email).
[View in browser]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)
The Extremism Roundup
=====================
**Promoting Civil Discourse and Marginalizing the Extremes**
A weekly compilation of the most important developments in the struggle against radical ideologies
Islamist Extremism
------------------
*Stockpile of weapons manufactured and acquired for ISIS by the Dannon brothers, Indiana - Department of Justice via WishTV.com screenshot*
**Brothers Sentenced for Manufacturing and Distributing Firearms for ISIS**
-
Moyad Dannon, of Fishers, Ind., was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release for attempting to provide firearms to the designated foreign terrorist organization ISIS. Dannon's brother, Mahde, had previously been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the same charges.
-
Dannon and his brother engaged in a scheme to deliver stolen firearms, sold illegally obtained firearms, and manufactured untraceable "ghost guns" to an undercover FBI agent, believing the weapons would be shipped to ISIS.
-
The Dannon brothers manufactured fully automatic .223 caliber rifles, aware that the weapons were intended for shipment to ISIS. They agreed to produce and sell at least 55 additional fully automatic "ghost guns" for this purpose.
-
Moyad Dannon expressed his desire to travel to ISIS-controlled areas in Syria to provide direct military assistance, showcasing his knowledge of firearms. FBI agents found a flash drive with ISIS propaganda, including violent videos, during a search following his arrest. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Tennessee Muslim Family Assault Son for Converting to Christianity**
-
A Muslim family in Nashville was arrested for allegedly assaulting their son after he converted to Christianity.
-
The victim reported that his father, mother, and brother punched him, spat in his face, and scratched his hand with a knife.
-
The family allegedly demanded that the son renounce Christianity and return to Islam.
-
Police conducted a welfare check after concerns were raised by the victim's employer, finding the victim with visible injuries and transferring him to a local hospital. The father, mother, and brother were arrested on charges of domestic assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Iraqi Immigrant Fires Into New York Synagogue**
-
Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, a 28-year-old U.S. citizen born in Iraq, was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person after firing two rounds from a shotgun outside Temple Israel in Albany, N.Y.
-
He shouted "Free Palestine" during the incident, but it's unclear whether it was during the arrest or when he fired the weapon.
-
The incident is being investigated as a potential hate crime, occurring just before Hanukkah, and both city police and the FBI are involved in the investigation. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Muslim Lawmaker Disrupts Christmas Party Over Palestine**
-
Vice President Kamala Harris faced a disruption during her holiday party as Delaware state Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton unfurled a sign reading "ceasefire" and shouted about the situation in Bethlehem, urging Harris to call for a ceasefire.
-
Wilson-Anton, the first Muslim elected official in Delaware, expressed concern over the conflict in Bethlehem and the impact on Christmas celebrations.
-
Harris responded, stating, "I appreciate you wanting to be heard, but right now I’m speaking," as Wilson-Anton was escorted out of the party.
-
The incident comes amid calls from some lawmakers and activists for the Biden administration to advocate for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
Militant-Right & Militant-Left Extremism
----------------------------------------
*Neo-Nazis salute outside a drag queen story hour in Concord, N.H., on June 18 - @juicygarland Twitter page via NBC News screenshot*
**
**New Hampshire AG Filed Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Neo-Nazi Group**
-
The New Hampshire attorney general's office filed a civil rights lawsuit against the neo-Nazi group NSC-131 and its leader, Christopher Hood, alleging disruption of a drag story hour at an LGBTQ-owned coffee shop in Concord.
-
The complaint accuses 19 unnamed members of NSC-131 of violating the state's anti-discrimination laws through acts of intimidation during the drag story hour in June.
-
The neo-Nazis, wearing masks and matching attire, were captured on video shouting, raising their right arms, and banging on the coffee shop's windows during the Pride Month event.
-
If found guilty of violating anti-discrimination laws, Hood and the 19 unnamed individuals could face a $10,000 penalty. The lawsuit is part of efforts to combat acts of hate targeting the LGBT community. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Five Sentenced for Firebombing Police Vehicles**
- Five individuals in Arkansas have been sentenced for their involvement in fire bombings of multiple police vehicles in 2020.
- The group damaged police vehicles, threw Molotov cocktails, and vandalized police stations in Little Rock, Shannon Hills, and North Little Rock, Ark.
- The case resulted in guilty pleas from all five defendants, with varying charges related to arson, conspiracy, and possession of destructive devices.
- The defendants received prison sentences ranging from 18 months to five-and-a-half years, along with terms of supervised release. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Feds Arrest Neo-Nazi Cult Leader**
- Kalana Limkin, leader of a racist pedophile cult, was arrested in Hawaii following a seven-month FBI investigation into a network spreading neo-Nazi ideology and exploiting children.
- Limkin admitted to creating "Cultist," a group targeting children, using Discord and Telegram to share extreme content, including child sexual abuse material, to desensitize and groom minors for future violence.
- The cult is an offshoot of the satanic anarchist organization "764," which follows The Order of Nine Angles (O9A), advocating societal destruction through criminal acts, violence, and terrorism.
- Limkin faces charges for posting child sexual abuse material on Discord, exploiting a minor, and possessing child pornography. The FBI had warned about groups like "764" targeting youth online. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Man Sentenced for White Supremacist Graffiti**
- Daniel Alec Hotte, of Dana Point, Calif., has been sentenced to 180 days in county jail and two years of probation for federal vandalism and felony hate crime charges.
- Hotte pleaded guilty to spraying white supremacist graffiti over the "Poderosas" mural in Costa Mesa, dedicated to honoring strong Latina women, including civil rights leader Dolores Huerta and local heroine Modesta Avila.
- In October 2022, Hotte was witnessed scratching out names on the mural and adding white supremacist phrases. He fled the scene but was later arrested for the incident. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Arrest Warrant Issued For Neo-Nazi Vandal**
- Los Angeles County prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Klinton Allister Dion, 32, suspected of antisemitic vandalism, including incidents at Temple Emanu El in Burbank.
- Dion allegedly drew Nazi symbols, including swastikas and SS symbols, at various locations, such as a Glendale IHOP, an apartment complex in Burbank, and Burbank’s Emmanuel Church between Nov. 22 and Nov. 27.
- The suspect faces two counts of vandalism of religious property as a hate crime and 10 counts of hate crime for displaying Nazi symbols on public and private property. If convicted, Dion could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
Hate Crime
------------
*Hundreds gather for the lighting of a new menorah at Lake Merritt in Oakland, Calif., after the original menorah was vandalized - KGO via ABC News screenshot*
**Hate Crime Investigation Over Destruction of Menorah in Oakland**
-
A 9-foot-tall menorah in Oakland, Calif., was destroyed and thrown into a lake during Hanukkah, prompting a hate crime investigation by the police.
-
The menorah was vandalized around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The act involved destruction of the menorah and hateful graffiti, creating a significant public disturbance.
-
The Chabad Jewish Center of Oakland inaugurated a new menorah in place of the vandalized one. The incident led to a show of solidarity, with hundreds attending the menorah lighting. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Minor Arrested With Detailed Plan to Attack Reform Temple**
-
A 13-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with inducing panic and disorderly conduct for sharing a detailed plan to attack Temple Israel, a Reform Jewish congregation in Canton, Ohio.
-
The accused reportedly created the mass shooting plan on the Discord platform, which was reported to law enforcement on September 1, causing significant public alarm.
-
The synagogue's website prominently states "We stand with Israel," and the Cleveland regional office of the Anti-Defamation League expressed horror at the arrest, thanking law enforcement for the thorough investigation. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Arrest Warrant Issued for Antisemitic Hate Crime**
-
An arrest warrant has been issued for Ethan W. Hanson, 21, charged with a hate crime for throwing rocks at Jewish UW-Madison students from a rooftop.
-
Hanson faces a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge as a hate crime for the incident, which occurred on November 7 during a vigil on campus. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
School Threats
----------------
*Nelsen Middle School, Washington, via KIRO 7 News screenshoot*
**Teen Arrested for Threats to Washington Schools**
-
A 14-year-old suspect was arrested for making threats against Nelsen Middle School and Renton High School in the Renton School District in Washington.
-
The arrested teen does not attend school in the Renton District but resides near Nelsen Middle School. Police mentioned past interactions with the teenager and are investigating the possibility of others being involved in the threats. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Kentucky Juvenile Arrested After Social Media Threats**
-
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office received reports of threats made by a student at Ignite Institute in Northern Kentucky on Saturday evening.
-
Following a thorough investigation, deputies charged a juvenile offender with second-degree terroristic threatening in connection to the reported threats. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
Hostile Foreign Influence Operations
------------------------------------
*Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military personnel at pro-Hamas rally in Tehran in Nov. 2023 - HOSSEIN BERIS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images*
**Iran Sponsored the October 7 Massacre; America Paid for It**
-
The detailed reporting on Iran’s direct involvement in the Oct. 7 massacre that has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and in the Israeli press stands in stark contrast with the public assertions of the Biden administration about the lack of any Iranian involvement.
-
A [Wall Street Journal article]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email) on October 8 exposed how Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps worked with Hamas to plan the attack.
-
A [New York Times article]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email) on October 13 reported the commander of Iran's Qud Force was directly involved in this planning.
-
A [Wall Street Journal article]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email) on October 25 revealed that hundreds of Hamas fighters received specialized combat training in Iran in the weeks preceeding October 7.
-
A [Jerusalem Post article]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email) from November 5 indicated that the attack was originally scheduled for Passover, but was delayed by Iran. The article speculates that the reason may have been the ongoing negotiations with the U.S. over the $6 billion in Iranian assets that were released in September.
-
The Biden administration confirmed that Iran has accessed the additional $10 billion that the U.S. released in November and continues to deny any knowledge of Iran's involvement in the attack. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Fake TikTok Accounts Spreading Russia-Ukraine Disinformation**
-
A recent report by TikTok states fake accounts have disseminated disinformation related to Russia's war in Ukraine, targeting Ukrainian and Russian users, as well as individuals across Europe. The content on these accounts aimed to "artificially amplify pro-Russian narratives" on the war. Some accounts were falsely presented as news outlets, contributing to the spread of deceptive information.
-
Around 13,000 fake accounts, primarily operated from Russia, were identified by TikTok, with the majority pushing Kremlin war propaganda. Some accounts operated from within Ukraine, amplifying narratives to raise funds for the Ukrainian military. TikTok, in response, removed all identified fake accounts. The combined followers of these accounts exceeded one million. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Russia Uses Fake Celebrity Videos to Spread Disinformation**
-
The Kremlin is using fake celebrity cameos, taken from the Cameo app, in its information war against the West. Recently, a video of actor Elijah Wood, originally recorded on Cameo, was repurposed to falsely denigrate Ukrainian President Zelensky as part of Russia’s disinformation efforts.
-
The manipulated videos, featuring celebrities like Shavo Odadjian, John McGinley, Dean Norris, Priscilla Presley, and Kate Flannery, spread on Russian social media and were later featured by government-controlled news organizations. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
Research and Trends in Extremism
--------------------------------
*Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images*
**EU Probes X Over Failure to Counter Disinformation**
-
The European Union has initiated infringement proceedings against social media platform X (formerly Twitter) under the Digital Services Act (DSA) over suspected failures in combating content disinformation and manipulation.
-
The probe focuses on X's alleged breaches of transparency obligations, duties to counter illegal content and disinformation, and a "deceptive" design of the user interface, particularly concerning its blue checkmarks.
-
X, led by Elon Musk, responded by stating its commitment to complying with the DSA and cooperating with the regulatory process. The investigation will assess X's efforts to combat illegal content, counter information manipulation, and enhance transparency. **[Read More]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)**
Have You Found A Story You Think We Should Cover?
-------------------------------------------------
If you see an article on violent extremism in the U.S. or hostile foreign influence that is reliable, timely, and fits into one of the six categories that we cover in this newsletter, please send us a note, either by replying directly to this email or by [**submitting a contact form**]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email) under the appropriate "news tip" category.
QUOTABLE
=
“Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle.”
*- Thomas Jefferson*
NOTE TO OUR READERS: We have pulled out the salient points of the articles in this newsletter to keep you informed and focused on the most relevant, important and timely news in national security and extremism. While our national security experts stand behind the summary bullets and deem them trustworthy, Clarion Project does not endorse all the views expressed in the articles linked.
**SUPPORT CLARION PROJECT’S VITAL WORK**
----------------------------------------
Help us create a world unafraid. Make a donation to help us expose extremists who threaten our safety and security. The Clarion Project is a registered 501(c)(3), donations are tax deductible.
[DONATE NOW]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email)
**RECEIVED THIS EMAIL FROM A FRIEND?**
--------------------------------------
[Sign Up to The Extremism Roundup]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email) - delivered every Thursday
*Copyright © 2022 Clarion Project, All rights reserved.*
Clarion Project
2435 North Central Expressway
Suite 1280
Richardson, TX 75080
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can [update your preferences](?utm_source=sendinblue&utm_campaign=Extremism_Roundup 202312-21&utm_medium=email) or [unsubscribe from this list]([link removed] 202312-21&utm_medium=email).
Message Analysis
- Sender: Clarion Project
- Political Party: n/a
- Country: United States
- State/Locality: n/a
- Office: n/a