The Extremism Roundup

Islamist Extremism

Screenshot from The Institute for Science and International Security

Iran Could Build a Bomb in a Week, Threat at All-Time High

• The Institute for Science and International Security recently raised its “Iran Threat Geiger Counter” to an all-time high in response to a number of factors.

• Iran can now produce enough weapon-grade enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon in a week, using only a fraction of its 60 percent enriched uranium. 

• Iran continues to deceive the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and violate its safeguards agreement and JCPOA monitoring agreements, making it possible for Iran to build a bomb without being detected.

• Recent public statements from Iranian officials indicate an extreme and heightened level of hostility toward the United States and its allies.

• Iran is actively engaged in multiple proxy wars against the U.S. and its allies, heightening the risk of escalating conflict. Read More

• Clarion Project was among the first to raise an alarm about the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran with its groundbreaking legacy films: Iranium, Obsession, and The Third Jihad.

Texas Man Sentenced for Receiving ISIS Military Training

• Warren Christopher Clark, 34, a substitute teacher from Sugar Land, Texas, was sentenced to 10 years for receiving ISIS military training.

• Clark renounced U.S. citizenship, pledged allegiance to ISIS, and illegally traveled from Turkey into Syria where he took mandatory religious and military training.

• After serving his sentence, Clark will undergo a lifetime of supervised release. Read More

Militant-Right & Militant-Left Extremism

Police officers stand outside Lakewood Church in Houston during an active shooter event at the church on Feb. 11 - Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

Church Shooter Had “Palestine” Written on Gun

• Genesse Ivonne Moreno, 36, described as a lone wolf with a history of mental illness, attacked a Texas megachurch with an AR-15 with the word "Palestine" written on it.

• Moreno entered Lakewood Church, reportedly with her 7-year-old child, and began exchanging fire with two Houston Police officers.

• The incident caused no deaths other than the shooter, who was shot by HPD officers. However, the child was critically injured. Read More

Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening Planned Parenthood Facility

• Mohamed Waes, 33, from Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges, including a misdemeanor under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act for threatening a Planned Parenthood facility.
• Waes also faces felony charges for interstate threats and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was involved in a scheme attempting to launder nearly $2 million. Read More

Law Enforcement Executes Search Warrants on Stop Cop City Movement

• Law enforcement executed an arrest and three search warrants in Atlanta related to the Stop Cop City movement, targeting homes in Lakewood Heights and Starlight Heights, Ga.
• The arrest was for first-degree arson against police motorcycles in July at an APD facility. The Atlanta Police Chief anticipates more arrests.
• Evidence collected from one home included laptops, cell phones, and materials promoting Defend the Atlanta Forest, with allegations of federal statute violations. Read More

Minnesota Neo-Nazi Arrested on Weapons Charge

• Andrew Munsinger, a southwest Minnesota man linked to the neo-Nazi Aryan Freedom Network, was arrested on a weapons charge for possessing ammunition as a felon.
• Munsinger bragged about owning untracked firearm parts and expressed interest in firearms training and making explosives.
• Munsinger's past includes felony drug convictions and alleged plans to build and hide guns, as well as making threats against law enforcement and others. Read More

Colorado Neo-Nazi Sentenced

• Chad Edward Keith, 42, from Colorado, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for possessing firearms after previously being convicted of a felony.
• According to court documents, Keith maintained properties in both Colorado Springs and Cotopaxi. At his properties, Keith possessed 11 firearms, including rifles and a shotgun. He was ordered to forfeit all firearms and ammunition.
• Federal agents also found various paraphernalia and propaganda related to white supremacy and Nazism. 
• After Keith’s term of incarceration, he will serve 36 months on supervised release. Read More

  Hate Crime

Bert James Baker, 36 - Austin PD, KEYE via CNN via WLBT3 screenshot

Palestinian American Stabbed in Texas

• Bert James Baker, 36, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for attacking Zacharia Doar, a 23-year-old Palestinian American, in Austin, Texas. 

• The incident occurred near the University of Texas campus and involved a dispute over a "Free Palestine" flag. 

• Police recommended hate crime enhancements to prosecutors based on the circumstances of the attack. Read More

North African Migrant Charged With Hate Crime for Beating Long Island Homeowner

• Hate crime charges have been filed against a man in Nassau County, N.Y., who allegedly stole two pro-Israel flags from a Hewlett home and assaulted the homeowner.

• The suspect, identified as an asylum seeker who entered the U.S. illegally, reportedly attacked the homeowner while proclaiming his Palestinian identity and expressing antisemitic sentiments. Read More

  School Threats

Mariemont (Ohio) High School - WCPO via WHIOTV7 screenshot

14-Year-Old Arrested for Threat to Ohio High School

• A 14-year-old in Ohio, conspiring with an out-of-state adult, was arrested for plotting a mass casualty event at Mariemont High School.

• The plan, deemed a credible threat, included a hit list and discussions of acquiring firearms. Prompted by a student tip, authorities charged the teenager with conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, facing possible life imprisonment if convicted. Read More

Texas School Ramps Up Security Amid Search for Teens Linked to Gun Theft

• The League City Police Department (LCPD) in Texas is increasing security at local schools and daycares following a threat linked to two runaway teens from Wyoming, who allegedly stole a vehicle and firearms.

• The initial concern of a direct threat to a League City school has been clarified by LCPD, stating the threat was based on an old comment and not directed at local schools.

• Enhanced police presence is planned for the area as a precaution while investigations continue. Read More

Student Arrested for Threat to Mississippi School

• A Lanier High School student in Jackson, Miss., was arrested for making a terroristic threat against the school and faces possible federal prosecution.
• Additional threats reported against Forest Hill and Jim Hill High Schools are under investigation, with those responsible also potentially facing federal charges. Read More

Hostile Foreign Influence Operations

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before Congress - Drew Angerer/Getty Images

FBI Director Warns of Chinese Hackers’ Plans to 'Wreak Havoc' on US Critical Infrastructure

• FBI Director Christopher Wray warned about the growing threat of Chinese cyberattacks against U.S. electrical grids and other infrastructure.

• “China’s hackers are positioning on American infrastructure in preparation to wreak havoc and cause real-world harm to American citizens and communities, if or when China decides the time has come to strike,” said Wray.

• Wray said that the hackers are “actively attacking” U.S. economic security every day, engaging in “wholesale theft of our innovation and our personal and corporate data.”

• Wray revealed that Chinese cyber hackers outnumber American information operations personnel by 50 to 1. Read More

Qatar Has Spent Billions Lobbying Congress

• Qatar has spent nearly $6 billion since 2007 on U.S. lobbying and university funding, amid scrutiny for its ties to Hamas. The funding includes contributions to top American universities and substantial lobbying expenses, raising concerns about influence peddling.
• The country has also doled out more than $243 million on lobbying efforts in the U.S. since 2015, with more than $16 million spent in 2023 alone.
• Congressional members are calling for investigations into Qatar's lobbying efforts and educational funding, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding foreign contributions to American institutions. Read More
• Clarion Project has built a database of contributions to U.S. universities from hostile nations.  You can access the database here and enter "Qatar" in the search bar to see which universities have received Qatar funds and how much they have received.
  

Texas A&M Closing Doha Campus

• Texas A&M University System has decided to close its Qatar campus due to concerns over Middle East volatility and connections to the regime in Qatar, which is under scrutiny for its support of Hamas.
• This move follows criticism of Qatar's influence on campus and funding of sensitive research projects, and reflects a broader reassessment of academic partnerships with regions linked to terrorism funding and extremist ideologies. Read More

Charges Made Against Schemes to Transfer Technology to China and Iran

• The Justice Department charged several individuals in schemes to transfer sensitive technology to China and Iran.
• One case involves conspiring to export aerospace equipment to Iran, another involves stealing U.S. national security trade secrets. Read More

Research and Trends in Extremism

Police intervened in a pro-Palestinian protest in Union Square Park on Feb. 12 and detained some demonstrators - Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images

New Study Looks at Attitudes Toward Political Violence

• A new University of California-Davis study reveals that over 25 percent of Americans support using violence for political objectives, indicating a possible increase in political violence by 2024.

• Concerns about democracy and fringe theories contribute to the potential for violence.

• The majority of respondents reject political violence, with a focus on public health approaches to prevention. Read More

CLARION PROJECT SPECIAL REQUEST

Raheel Raza, a human rights activist and former advisor to Clarion Project who has appeared in several of our films, such as Honor Diaries, Covert Cash, and By the Numbers, is in need of a kidney. If you or someone you know can help, please contact Raheel at [email protected]. We deeply appreciate your help.  

QUOTABLE 

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- James Madison

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.