Islamist Extremism |
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The criminal complaint filed against Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, Oct. 8, 2024 - AP via VOA News screenshot |
Afghan National Arrested for Election Day Terrorist Plot
Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old Afghan national living in Oklahoma City, was arrested for allegedly plotting an election-day terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS. Tawhedi and his co-conspirator, identified as a juvenile, planned to target large gatherings, expecting to die as martyrs during the attack. They purchased AK-47 rifles and ammunition for this purpose. If convicted, Tawhedi faces up to 35 years in prison. Read More
U.S. Soldier Sentenced for Attempting to Assist ISIS
U.S. Army soldier Cole Bridges, also known as Cole Gonzales, from Stow, Ohio, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to ISIS and murder U.S. military service members. Bridges, who joined the Army in 2019, began communicating with what he believed was an ISIS supporter (actually an FBI agent) around October 2020. He shared U.S. Army training manuals, combat tactics, and even advice on fortifying positions for an ambush against U.S. forces. In January 2021, Bridges made a video of himself in U.S. Army gear in front of an ISIS flag, and sent another video using a voice manipulator to support an anticipated attack, illustrating his commitment to the cause. Read More Canary Mission Publishes Documentary on the Palestinian Movement for the Destruction of the U.S.
Canary Mission recently published a short documentary on the Palestinian pro-terror movement's strategies for trying to bring down the U.S., which they call "the empire." A primary goal of the anti-Israel movement is undermining the United States and Western ideology. A May 2024 conference in Detroit, MI, the People’s Conference for Palestine, gathered anti-Israel activists and intersectional allies to strategize and advance their shared goals of dismantling Zionism and undermining America. They celebrated violent “resistance” (i.e. terrorism) and discussed tactics for mass mobilization and internal disruption of American society, institutions and government. Canary Mission documents people and groups that promote hatred of the USA, Israel and Jews. Watch Now |
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Militant-Right and Militant-Left Extremism |
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Pro-Palestinian demonstrators march through the Columbia University campus to mark one year of the war between Hamas and Israel in New York City on October 7, 2024 - KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Image
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Columbia University Group Endorses Violence Against "Zionists"
- An anti-Israel student group at Columbia University called Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), has endorsed violence and retracted an earlier apology for a student, Khymani James, who made anti-Zionist statements advocating for the murder of Zionists. This move came with the explicit statement that "violence is the only path forward," highlighting a shift toward more radical rhetoric.
- Initially, CUAD issued an apology for James's comments but later walked back this apology, stating it was not in line with the group's guidelines. This reversal happened around the first anniversary of Hamas's attack on Israel, signaling direct support for armed resistance against Israel.
- The group's actions and statements have stirred significant controversy, leading to discussions on free speech versus incitement to violence, and raising concerns about the escalation of campus activism into endorsement of violent means. This has implications for campus safety, student rights, and how universities handle politically charged protests. Read More
Neo-Nazis Crash Trump Boat Parade
- A boat displaying swastika flags alongside Donald Trump flags attempted to join a Trump boat parade in Jupiter, Fla.
- This act was met with immediate disapproval from actual Trump supporters, who used water from their boat engines to douse the intruders, indicating a clear rejection of neo-Nazi symbols by the Trump parade participants.
- The individuals on the boat were identified as members of the neo-Nazi group the Goyim Defense League. Read More
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Hate Crime |
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Arson damage to a Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall in Olympia, Wash., July 3, 2018 - Olympia Fire Department via The Seattle Times screenshot |
Washington Man Sentenced for Hate Crimes Attacks on Jehovah’s Witness Facilities
Mikey Diamond Starrett, also known as Michael Jason Layes, 52, of Olympia, Wash., was sentenced to 11 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for a series of attacks on Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Halls in Western Washington. Starrett was convicted on four counts under the Church Arson Prevention Act for each attack, which included arson and shooting at the religious buildings. These actions were explicitly targeted due to the religious character of the properties. He was also ordered to pay restitution totaling over $714,000 to cover damages to the affected facilities. Read More Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of Transgender Individual
- Daqua Lameek Ritter, of South Carolina, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Dime Doe, a Black transgender woman.
- Ritter killed Doe in December 2019 in Allendale, S.C., following a secret sexual relationship between them. The murder was motivated by the exposure of their relationship, leading Ritter to shoot Doe three times. Read More
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School Threats |
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Holmes County Consolidated Schools, located near Lexington, Miss., where a mass shooting killed three people - AP via The New York Post screenshot |
Mass Shooting at Mississippi Homecoming Game
A mass shooting occurred in Mississippi following a high school homecoming football game celebration, resulting in three fatalities and eight injuries. The event took place during a trail ride where an altercation led to gunfire. The deceased included two 19-year-olds and one 25-year-old. Read More Florida Teen Arrested for School Threat
- A 13-year-old student at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School in Manatee County, Fla., was arrested after allegedly making threats to carry out a shooting at the school.
- A spokesperson with the school district has previously stated that over 100 threats have been made against schools in the area in the past three years. Read More
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Foreign Influence Operations |
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Photo Illustration by Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
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OpenAI Has Disrupted Over 20 Foreign Influence Networks
Over the past year, OpenAI has thwarted over 20 efforts by foreign entities to exploit its generative AI technologies to manipulate global political opinions.
Despite attempts by foreign actors like Russia, China, and Iran to use generative AI for influence operations targeting U.S. elections, their efforts have largely been ineffective due to limitations in AI technology's ability to produce convincingly human-like content or bypass detection tools effectively.
Intelligence officials describe generative AI's role in foreign influence as an "accelerant" rather than a revolutionary tool, indicating that while it speeds up the creation of propaganda, it hasn't fundamentally changed the landscape yet. Read More Chinese Hackers Target U.S. Telecoms
- Chinese hackers, part of the group known as Volt Typhoon, have reportedly infiltrated multiple U.S. telecommunications firms, targeting sensitive information related to national security, including potentially accessing wiretap warrant requests. Read More
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QUOTABLE
“The power to tax is the power to destroy.”
--John Marshall
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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. |
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