“Amid ongoing far-right riots and demonstrations fueled by misinformation
online, England and Wales' Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson
said his teams would consider seeking extradition for social media influencers
who are accused of stoking the violence from abroad and charging some suspects
with terrorism offences, CBS News partner network BBC News reported. Offenders
"must know that they are not safe and there is nowhere to hide," Parkinson
said. Around 400 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, and
police chiefs in the U.K. said an extra 2,200 riot-trained officers would be
deployed across the country, Britain's Guardian newspaper reported. One man was
seriously injured after an assault Monday night in the Northern Ireland city of
Belfast, which police are treating as a racially motivated hate crime.
Witnesses reported seeing attackers stamp on the man's head, according to the
BBC.”











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Eye on Extremism



August 7, 2024



CBS: Top U.K. Prosecutor Considers Terrorism Charges Over Ongoing Riots And
Disorder
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“Amid ongoing far-right riots and demonstrations fueled by misinformation
online, England and Wales' Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson
said his teams would consider seeking extradition for social media influencers
who are accused of stoking the violence from abroad and charging some suspects
with terrorism offences, CBS News partner network BBC News reported. Offenders
"must know that they are not safe and there is nowhere to hide," Parkinson
said. Around 400 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, and
police chiefs in the U.K. said an extra 2,200 riot-trained officers would be
deployed across the country, Britain's Guardian newspaper reported. One man was
seriously injured after an assault Monday night in the Northern Ireland city of
Belfast, which police are treating as a racially motivated hate crime.
Witnesses reported seeing attackers stamp on the man's head, according to the
BBC.”



Reuters: Hezbollah Pledges To Respond Alone Or With Allies To Israeli Killing
Of Commander
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“The leader of Hezbollah on Tuesday pledged a "strong and effective" response
to the killing of its military commander by Israel last week no matter the
consequences and said Hezbollah would act either alone or with its regional
allies. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said Hezbollah would wait for the right moment
to respond but did not hint at its form or timing. All international attempts
at persuading Hezbollah not to retaliate were futile, he said. "Whatever the
consequences, the resistance will not let these Israeli attacks pass by," he
said in a televised address to mark one week since the assassination of
Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. "Our response, God willing,
will be strong, effective and impactful," he said in a speech that was met with
cheers from members and supporters of Hezbollah who gathered to watch in
Beirut's southern suburbs.”




The CEP CounterPoint: Expert Analysis

* CounterPoint Brief: Far-Right Riots in the United Kingdom
<[link removed]>
* CounterPoint Brief: Implications of Hezbollah Attack on Majdal Shams
<[link removed]>
* Reactions to Trump Assassination Attempt From Extreme Right Telegram
Channels
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* Thirty years on, AMIA victims still looking for justice
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* The Financial Motive Behind Houthi Spyware Hacks
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CEP Mentions



The Times: British Troops On Standby To Evacuate Lebanon
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“... Edmund Fitton-Brown, a former senior United Nations counterterrorism
official who is a senior adviser at the Counter Extremism Project, a
non-governmental organisation, warned it appeared to be getting “harder and
harder to prevent escalation each time”. He said it was a “worse situation”
than in April, when Iran launched 170 bomb-carrying drones, more than 30 cruise
missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles toward Israel in response to an
Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy compound in Syria. Fitton-Brown said he
believed the crisis was “likely to get nasty in the next 24 to 48 hours”,
adding that it made sense for Iran and Hezbollah to strike Israel before all US
military assets had arrived in the region.”



CapX: Censorship Isn’t The Answer To Our National Trauma
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“The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby was on Radio 4 this morning to
pour oil on our troubled waters. With a national insurrection flaring into life
in parts of England and police struggling to contain intercommunal violence,
his words were unsurprising. Hate cannot win, the criminals assaulting police
defile the flag they wrap themselves in, we must recover a moral vision. So
far, so Anglican. But it was his personal insight into losing his baby
daughter, who he has talked about so movingly in the past, that hit home with
me. It is easy to forget that this latest horrific spasm of social unrest
occurred after three children were brutally murdered in an attack on a dance
class in Southport, and that but for the heroism of two adults who confronted
the assailant it would have been a massacre.”



The National: Britain’s First Yemeni MP Calls Out Elon Musk Over His ‘Civil
War’ In UK Post
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“... Director of think tank the Counter Extremism Project, Hans-Jakob
Schindler told The National Mr Musk was being irresponsible. “The statement of
Elon Musk that 'civil war is inevitable' is a perfect example of the complete
lack of responsibility of the owner of one of the key [social media]
platforms,” he said. “Rather than trying to minimise the damage that his
platform is currently inflicting on British society, Mr Musk seems to prefer
pushing his personal political agenda. “The damaging effects of the
dissemination and amplification of mis- and disinformation and
violence-orientated extremist narratives by social media platforms and
messenger services, including X, currently on display in the UK must lead to a
fundamental re-evaluation of the regulatory approach towards this industry.””



La Releve: Anti-Immigration Riots: UK Faces Fake News
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“Violent riots have rocked the United Kingdom since the knife attack that
killed three young girls last week in the northern English town of Southport,
and the subsequent spate of fake news on social media. The incident would have
seemed “almost ordinary” in a country where knife attacks have become
commonplace through their recurrence. However, social media manipulators have
taken the case to a whole new level. […] Indeed, the tenant of 10 Downing
Street is under pressure to strengthen control of companies operating in the
information technology sector. Pressure has intensified after the publication
of information about the involvement of foreign countries in the dissemination
of fake news in the United Kingdom. Ian Acheson, a specialist at the think-tank
"Counter Extremism Project", indicates that the current riots show the urgency
of putting in place tighter control over social networks.”



Laverite: UK Anti-Immigration Riots: The Devastating Impact Of Fake News
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“Violent riots have rocked the UK following the knife attack that killed
three young girls in Southport. The situation quickly escalated after false
information was posted on social media about the identity of the attacker, who
was described as a Muslim asylum seeker. Social media manipulation has turned a
tragic incident into a national crisis. […] Experts like Ian Acheson of the
Counter Extremism Project stress the urgent need for tighter regulation of
social media. They say it is imperative that those who spread extremism are
held accountable. Andrew Fox, an analyst at the Henry Jackson Society, points
out that the current riots are a direct result of far-right discourse fueled by
fake news.”



The Guardian: Revealed: US Neo-Nazi Terror Group Aims To Revive Activities
Ahead Of Election
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“... Joshua Fisher-Birch, an analyst at the Counter Extremism Project who has
kept tabs on the Base since its inception, says the group maintains several
American members and that Nazzaro often talks of having poured thousands in
personal finances into the group. “Nazzaro has claimed that he has supported
the accelerationist movement with over $10,000 through his ‘personal stash of
crypto,’ and he has claimed that he has spent over $20,000 on the Base, not
including land in Washington state he purchased,” said Fisher-Birch, who
pointed out records he reviewed in the past showing Nazzaro receiving over
$3,000 in Bitcoin donations. Fisher-Birch believes accelerationist entities,
unlike the louder white supremacist group Patriot Front that openly marches in
public streets, are turning to more furtive activities as November approaches.”



Protos: Neo-Nazi Solicits Crypto Donations To Build Us-Based Team For ‘Civil
War’
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“... Counter Extremism Project analyst Joshua Fisher-Birch told the Guardian,
“Nazzaro has claimed that he has supported the accelerationist movement with
over $10,000 through his ‘personal stash of crypto.’ Fisher-Birch suggested
that these neo-Nazi groups are keeping a low profile, but added, “Their focus
on promoting chaos raises the possibility that they will encourage violence or
commit acts of intimidation before the election.””



The Pinnacle Gazette: Neo-Nazi Groups Escalate Threats Ahead Of 2024 Elections
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“Far-right extremist groups seem to be making themselves louder and prouder
as the 2024 election season heats up. This past year has seen increasing
concerns surrounding the activities of these organizations, particularly those
threatening political stability and social cohesion across the United States
and Europe. Amidst the election season frenzy, groups like the Base and the
Nordic Resistance Movement (NMR) have emerged as key players, each bringing
their own brand of hate-fueled ideology to the forefront. […] Across email
lists and forums within the group, discussions count down to election day,
signaling concerns about their ability to operate unchecked. Joshua
Fisher-Birch, from the Counter Extremism Project, voiced concern, describing
the Base's current low profile as part of their strategy, indicating they might
rely on violence or intimidation as November approaches.”



Observador: “The Base”: US Neo-Nazi Group Is Recruiting Members In The Middle
Of The Election Campaign
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“The neo-Nazi group The Base is recruiting leaders to form new cells in the
United States of America. The information was transmitted by the group's
leader, Rinaldo Nazzaro, through messages on his private Telegram channel,
cited by the British newspaper The Guardian. […] However, despite the
similarities with other neo-Nazi groups — such as the international Proud Boys
or the Portuguese 1143 — accelerationist groups tend to keep a lower profile,
rather than promoting public demonstrations, Joshua Fisher-Birch explained to
the British newspaper. The analyst, who works at the Counter Extremism Project
, argued that “their focus on promoting chaos raises the possibility that they
could encourage violence or commit acts of intimidation ahead of the
elections.””



Executive Digest: US Neo-Nazi Terror Group Plans To Revive Activities Ahead Of
US Presidential Campaign: ‘Job’ Ad Goes Online
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“Far-right extremists from all corners of the internet are targeting Vice
President Kamala Harris as she has assumed the Democratic nomination for the
White House: however, one of the oldest neo-Nazi groups in the US is also
trying to continue its activities as the presidential election season begins to
gather pace. […] A 2020 Guardian investigation revealed that Nazzaro had
purchased several undeveloped plots of land near Republic, Washington, which he
intended to use as a training ground for the Base. According to Joshua
Fisher-Birch, an analyst with the Counter Extremism Project who has monitored
the Base since its inception, the group maintains several American members and
that Nazzaro has often spoken about investing thousands of dollars of his
personal finances into the group.”



BR24: Europe In The Sights Of IS: On The Trail Of A Terrorist Network
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“Apparently, the so-called Islamic State is increasingly sending its
terrorists to Europe. One example can be found in Kaufbeuren. An Iraqi who had
been living in Germany since the beginning of 2023 was arrested there in May.
According to the Federal Prosecutor's Office, he was willing to carry out
orders from the so-called "Islamic State" (IS) and is said to have previously
worked for an IS police unit in Iraq. In addition, according to the
investigators' allegation, he received 2,500 US dollars from IS after entering
Germany and maintained contacts with like-minded people. […] "They took
advantage of the massive flow of refugees from Ukraine to get into the Schengen
area. Once you are in Poland, there are no further border controls. And in the
situation where there is war in Ukraine, it is of course much easier to insert
a handful of people into this flow of refugees without anyone noticing," says
Hans-Jakob Schindler, senior director of the international non-profit
organization "Counter Extremism Project".”



United States



The New York Times: US Leaders Call For Calm In The Middle East, Even As More
American Forces Head To The Region
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“Calling for calm in the Middle East, top U.S. national security leaders said
Tuesday that they and allies are directly pressing Israel, Iran and others to
avoid escalating the conflict, even as the U.S. moved more troops to the region
and threatened retaliation if American forces are attacked. “It’s urgent that
everyone in the region take stock of the situation, understand the risk of
miscalculation, and make decisions that will calm tensions, not exacerbate
them,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the close of a meeting with
Australian leaders. At the same time, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin noted the
attack Monday on U.S. forces in Iraq by an Iranian-backed militia group, which
injured seven personnel, and made it clear that the U.S. won’t hesitate to
respond. “Make no mistake, the United States will not tolerate attacks on our
personnel in the region,” Austin told reporters at a press conference after the
meeting. “And we remain ready to deploy on short notice to meet the evolving
threats to our security, our partners or our interests.””



Iran



Voice Of America: Hezbollah Warns Israel: ‘Our Response Is Coming’ To Killing
Of Iranian-Backed Militants
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“Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said Tuesday that his militant group and
Iran were "obliged to respond ... whatever the consequences" after the death of
a Hezbollah military commander in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut last week and
the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran. The twin killings of Fouad
Shukur in Lebanon and Ismail Haniyeh in Iran have sharply heightened Middle
East tensions. The Jewish state and Hezbollah have been trading daily attacks
along the Lebanese border since the Palestinian militant group Hamas' October
7, 2023, attack on Israel. In a televised address, Nasrallah said Iran finds
“itself obliged to respond, and the enemy is waiting in a great state of
dread." Nasrallah said his group was also "obliged to respond." Hezbollah will
retaliate "alone or in the context of a unified response from all the axis" of
Iran-backed groups in the region, he said.”



Turkey



Associated Press: Turkey To Submit Request To Join Genocide Case Against
Israel In UN Court
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“Turkey will file a request with a United Nations court on Wednesday to join
South Africa’s genocide lawsuit against Israel, a Turkish official said. The
declaration of intervention will be submitted at the International Court of
Justice in The Hague, the official said on condition of anonymity in line with
regulations that bar officials from speaking to the media without prior
authorization Turkey, one of the fiercest critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza,
will become the latest nation to seek to participate in the case. Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has frequently compared Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler, accused his country of genocide, called for
it to be punished in international courts and criticized Western nations for
backing Israel. In May, Turkey suspended trade with Israel, citing its assault
on Gaza. In contrast to Western nations that have designated Hamas as a
terrorist organization, Erdogan has commended the group, calling it a
liberation movement.”



Afghanistan



Voice Of America: Taliban Says Millions Of Afghans Returning Home; IOM Says
Millions Leaving — Who Is Right?
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“Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban said Tuesday that about 3.7 million former
refugees have returned to the country since the Islamist group took power three
years ago. The statement was a response to the International Organization for
Migration, or IOM, which reported last week that more than twice as many
Afghans have left the country since 2020. Which side is correct? Possibly both.
The dispute began with a July 31 IOM report that said “nearly 8 million
Afghans” have departed the country over the last four years. Of those, said the
IOM, 85% moved to neighboring countries, mostly Iran and Pakistan, and almost 1
million headed to Europe. The IOM said almost 70% of Afghans who went to Iran
cited a lack of job opportunities as the main factor driving their migration.
The Taliban-run Ministry of Refugees and Returnees challenged the IOM figure,
saying there has not been such a significant exodus of people from the country
since the Soviet invasion and subsequent decade-long occupation of Afghanistan
in the 1980s.”



Lebanon



The New York Times: Waiting For A Wider War, Lebanese Civilians Feel Helpless
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“The town in south Lebanon appeared deserted, its roads empty and its market
shuttered, after months of fighting between Hezbollah and Israel across the
nearby border made many residents flee. But in a central square this summer,
Hezbollah had erected huge banners for the triple funeral of a man the militant
group claimed as its own and his two sisters, all killed when Israel bombed
their home in this southern town of Bint Jbeil. As the coffins arrived, martial
music blared and a few hundred of the remaining residents came to pay their
respects. Watching the procession, Asmaa Alawiyeh, an accountant, said life was
hard after months of clashes. Her two children were out of school. Her husband,
a plumber, could not find work. And no one knew when life would return to
normal. “There is no plan,” said Ms. Alawiyeh, 32. “We have no idea what to
prepare for because we have no idea what’s coming.””



Middle East



Associated Press: Hamas Names Yahya Sinwar, Mastermind Of The Oct. 7 Attacks,
As Its New Leader In Show Of Defiance
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“Hamas on Tuesday named Yahya Sinwar, its top official in Gaza who
masterminded the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, as its new leader in a dramatic sign
of the power of the Palestinian militant group’s hardline wing after his
predecessor was killed in a presumed Israeli strike in Iran. The selection of
Sinwar, a secretive figure close to Iran who worked for years to build up
Hamas’ military strength, was a defiant signal that the group is prepared to
keep fighting after 10 months of destruction from Israel’s campaign in Gaza and
after the assassination of Sinwar’s predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh. It is also
likely to provoke Israel, which has put him at the top of its kill list after
the Oct. 7 attack, in which militants killed 1,200 people in southern Israel
and took about 250 as hostages. The announcement comes at volatile moment.
Fears are high of an escalation into a wider regional war, with Iran vowing
revenge against Israel over Haniyeh’s killing and Lebanon’s Hezbollah
threatening to retaliate over Israel’s killing of one of its top commanders in
an airstrike in Beirut last week.”



Somalia



Garowe Online: Al-Shabaab Top Leader Arrested In Central Somalia
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“The security forces in Central Somalia have arrested a key Al-Shabaab
leader, following a crackdown that was instigated in the Galgadud region, which
is prone to attacks from the militants. The suspect, officials said, is linked
to extortion links in the country and was the head of Zakat, which Al-Shabaab
used to finance their activities in the country. "NISA apprehended Idris
Mohamed Sheikh, head of al-Shabaab's extortion operations in Middle Shabelle,"
state media reported the arrest on Tuesday, hours after he was apprehended in
central regions. According to reports, the Zakat official was captured in
Marergur village, about 28km northeast of Dhusamareb on July 30. Dhusamareb is
the regional administrative capital of Galmudug. It’s alleged he worked with
Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Diriye when the current emir was the militant group’s
shadow governor of Bay and Bakool regions more than 10 years ago. Diriye is on
the list of the most wanted Al-Shabaab terrorists globally.”



Africa



Reuters: Niger Cuts Ties With Ukraine Over Comments On Mali-Wagner Attack
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“Niger's junta on Tuesday cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine over remarks from
officials it said showed Ukraine's support for groups involved in fighting in
neighbouring Mali that killed dozens of soldiers and Russian Wagner fighters in
July. The move follows Mali's decision on Sunday to sever relations with Kyiv
following comments by Ukraine's military spy agency about the fighting in
northern Mali in which Tuareg rebels said they killed at least 84 Wagner
mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers. The incident appeared to be Wagner's
heaviest defeat since it stepped in two years ago to help Mali's military
authorities fight insurgent groups. In a televised address, spokesperson
Abdourahamane Amadou said Niger had decided to act in solidarity with the
government and people of Mali by cutting ties with Ukraine with immediate
effect. It was not immediately possible to reach the Ukrainian foreign ministry
for comment due to the late hour.”



United Kingdom



Reuters: UK PM Starmer: We Have Police In Place To Deal With Anti-Muslim Riots
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“British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said sufficient police would be on the
streets to handle anti Muslim and anti-immigrant riots in the coming days as he
sought to reassure communities braced for more violent protests on Wednesday.
Riots across a number of towns and cities have erupted following the murder of
three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed event in Southport, a seaside town in
northwest England, after false messaging on social media wrongly identified the
suspected killer as an Islamist migrant. Unrest has spread, with rioters
targeting mosques and smashing windows of hotels housing asylum-seekers from
Africa and the Middle East, chanting "get them out", in the first widespread
outbreak of violence in Britain for 13 years. Messages online said immigration
centres and law firms aiding migrants would be targeted on Wednesday, prompting
anti-fascist groups to say they would counter any demonstration. Speaking after
an emergency meeting with ministers and police chiefs on Tuesday, Starmer said
police would be in place to cope with any further disorder.”



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