The Extremism Roundup

Islamist Extremism

Armenians and Russians lay flowers near a makeshift memorial outside of the Russian Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia on March 23 for the victims of the March 22 ISIS terrorist attack in Moscow - Anthony Pizzoferrato/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

ISIS Urges Ramadan Attacks Across US, Europe, Israel

• ISIS has called for attacks against Christians and Jews in the U.S., Europe, and Israel during Ramadan, celebrating recent violence and urging further actions globally.

• This escalation coincides with the 10-year anniversary of their caliphate's declaration, advocating for widespread jihad.

• The call to action includes varied attack methods and encourages militants in Mozambique and the Philippines to intensify efforts. Read More

Militant-Right & Militant-Left Extremism

A member of the Peoples Defense League, a left-wing militia, wears a backpack with anti-fascist iconography in Auburn, Ind. - Jon Cherry/Getty Images

Antifa Threatens Violence in Indiana

• An Indiana Antifa group has threatened violence against Rep. Jim Banks and Chaya Raichik, founder of Libs of TikTok, over their upcoming speaking event at Indiana University Bloomington.

• Despite threats, Banks and Raichik insist the event will proceed, emphasizing their determination not to be intimidated.

• The Antifa cell involved is connected to a wider network known for its activism and has specifically targeted the event for promoting views it opposes. Read More

UC Berkeley Releases Photos in Search of Violent Activist

• UC Berkeley police released images of suspects from a February anti-Israel protest that turned violent, causing injuries and property damage.
• The protest aimed to shut down a lecture by Israeli attorney Ran Bar-Yoshafat, who was invited by Jewish student groups.
• The incident, involving around 200 protesters, has been described as a riot in which several Jewish students were assaulted, property was damaged, and students had to be escorted to safety via an underground route. Read More

Protesters Disrupt Easter Mass

• Three protesters were arrested at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan during the Easter Vigil Mass for unfurling a banner reading "Silence = Death" and chanting "Free Palestine." They were charged with disrupting a religious service.
• The protest was part of actions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, following ongoing demonstrations in NYC since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel, amid reports of significant casualties in Gaza. Read More

Man Sentenced for Death Threats to Election Official

• Joshua Russell was sentenced to 30 months in prison for sending death threats to an Arizona election official.
• The threats aimed to intimidate the official during the election process, highlighting concerns over the safety of election workers. Read More

  Hate Crime

Rui Jiang, facing a potential life sentence for attempted church shooting - The Christian Post screenshot

Virginia Man Charged for Attempted Church Shooting

• Rui Jiang, a 35-year-old from Falls Church, Va., was indicted for attempting to shoot churchgoers in September 2023.

• Jiang was arrested at Park Valley Church with a loaded semi automatic handgun. His intent was further evidenced by threatening letters found in his home that were addressed to the families of people he was planning to kill.

• Jiang faces a potential life sentence. Read More

Maryland Middle Schoolers Face Charges for Harassment

• Three middle school students in Maryland face hate crime charges for acts including displaying swastikas, performing Nazi salutes, and making derogatory comments targeting a classmate's religious beliefs.

• The behavior, which persisted despite repeated requests to stop, led to an investigation by Maryland State Police, resulting in charges that emphasize the severity of religious persecution. Read More

  School Threats

Westlake (Ohio) High School - SilentMatt Psychedelic via Wikipedia screenshot

Ohio Teen Makes Bomb Threat

• Westlake High School in Westlake, Ohio, was locked down after a bomb threat from a Cleveland teen. The threat, made via internet voice service, led to a police search that found no bomb.

• The 13-year-old suspect, lacking means to execute the threat, is cooperating with authorities, facing felony charges. Read More

Ohio Juvenile in Custody After Threat

• One juvenile is in custody following a social media post threatening a Sandusky, Ohio, school. Read More

Hostile Foreign Influence Operations

Photo illustration - Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Chinese Hacking Group Indicted After Fourteen Years of Cyber Intrusions 

• Seven Chinese nationals were indicted for cyber intrusions on behalf of China's Ministry of State Security, targeting China critics and U.S. interests.

• Defendants operated as part of the APT31 Hacking Group in support of China’s Ministry of State Security’s Transnational Repression, Economic Espionage and Foreign Intelligence Objectives.

• Their actions over 14 years compromised thousands globally, including businesses and politicians, revealing extensive cyber espionage activities. Read More

Media Ignores Al Jazeera’s Oct. 7 Disinformation Documentary 

• Al Jazeera's documentary on the October 7 attack is criticized for allegedly spreading disinformation and minimizing the atrocities committed by Hamas.
• A lack of mainstream media coverage of the documentary suggests a growing skepticism of Al Jazeera's credibility within the journalistic community.
• The article notes that individuals who publicly supported the documentary have histories of anti-Israel rhetoric, suggesting a biased perspective in its endorsements. Read More

  Research and Trends in Extremism

People participate in a demonstration to demand that Israel end its war in Gaza and agree to a cease-fire on March 2 in New York City - Spencer Platt/Getty Images

New Pew Survey Highlights Differences Between Jews and Non-Jews Over Hamas-Israel War

• A Pew Research Center survey revealed significant differences between U.S. Jews and the general American population regarding the Israel-Hamas war.

• Most U.S. Jews see both the reasons for Israel's actions and how the war is conducted as justified, contrasting with the broader U.S. perspective. Younger Americans and Muslims are less approving of Israel and more understanding of Hamas, illustrating diverse views on the conflict within the U.S.

• About one-in-five U.S. Muslims say the Oct. 7 attack on Israel was acceptable, including 11 percent who describe it as somewhat acceptable and 10 percent who call it completely acceptable. Read More

QUOTABLE 

“In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed: and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.”

- 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.