“Since their return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban have
steadily wound back women's rights week after week, gradually eroding their
freedoms and dignity. On December 29, 2024, the Taliban's Economy Ministry
announced that all non-governmental organizations (NGOs), both national and
international, must now comply with a decree issued at the end of 2022 that
prohibits the employment of Afghan women. This measure, which had been largely
ignored thanks to local and national exemptions, has now become imperative: Any
NGO employing women will have its license revoked.On December 31, 2024, the UN
expressed being "deeply alarmed" by this decree, at a time when more than half
the Afghan population depends on humanitarian aid. Volker Turk, UN high
commissioner for human rights, denounced the discriminatory measure,
underlining its catastrophic impact on access to vital aid.”











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Eye on Extremism



January 3, 2025



Le Monde: Taliban Assault On Women's Rights Reaches A New Level In Afghanistan
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“Since their return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban have
steadily wound back women's rights week after week, gradually eroding their
freedoms and dignity. On December 29, 2024, the Taliban's Economy Ministry
announced that all non-governmental organizations (NGOs), both national and
international, must now comply with a decree issued at the end of 2022 that
prohibits the employment of Afghan women. This measure, which had been largely
ignored thanks to local and national exemptions, has now become imperative: Any
NGO employing women will have its license revoked.On December 31, 2024, the UN
expressed being "deeply alarmed" by this decree, at a time when more than half
the Afghan population depends on humanitarian aid. Volker Turk, UN high
commissioner for human rights, denounced the discriminatory measure,
underlining its catastrophic impact on access to vital aid.”



The Hill: New Year’s Attacks Fuel Fears Of Extremism In Military
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“While not the first acts of military extremism, the two deadly attacks
amplify questions about the number of radical and unstable veterans and
active-duty troops and whether the Pentagon’s efforts to identify and root out
extremist beliefs is working. Heidi Beirich, a co-founder of the Global Project
Against Hate and Extremism who has studied military extremist activity for
decades, said the unresolved problem was particularly dangerous because
veterans and active-duty service members can kill more efficiently. “The
military has not adequately addressed the problem, whether it’s white
supremacists or Islamic extremists,” she said."




Recent CEP Press Releases

*
Antisemitic Violence Instigated by Pro-Palestinian Protestors in Amsterdam
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Statement on the Death of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar
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*
One Year After October 7
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*
CEP Report: Civilian Counterterrorism Militias Take Action, Introduce New
Challenges To Combatting Violent Extremism In Africa
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Counter Extremism Project Statement Marking 9/11
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CEP Mentions



Metro: New Orleans Attack ‘Sign Of Growing ISIS Threat On West’s Doorstep’
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“... Dr Schindler, senior director of the Counter Extremism Project (CEP),
said: ‘I’ve not seen any direct connections between the two attacks, although
the symbolism — with a Tesla Cybertruck being used in the Trump Hotel attack —
is similar. They both took place on New Year’s Eve, which is the last
opportunity for terrorists to make national and international headlines by
targeting people gathering in large numbers before a slump in the new year. So
it could be a horrific coincidence. ‘The two attackers are veterans who are
said to have gone to the same base, but then the American military is vast,
with about 1.4 million active personnel, so I wouldn’t read too much intothat.”



Frankfurter Rundschau: New Orleans Death Ride Shows Terror Innovation: How The
Islamic State Recruits Lone Attackers
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“... IS has not yet officially claimed responsibility for the attack in New
Orleans. Terror expert Hans-Jakob Schindler from the Counter Extremism Project
believes: "Everything points to a so-called inspired attack by a single
perpetrator or a single terrorist cell, which was motivated by the increased IS
propaganda of recent times." The "inspired attack" is a real terrorist
innovation that the Islamic State has brought about, said Schindler in an
interview with IPPEN.MEDIA . The principle behind it: According to the watering
can principle, IS spreads its propaganda as widely as possible via social
media.”



Merkur.de: Danger Of IS Attacks In Germany Grows: “Terrorists Are Becoming
More Confident Again”
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“For a few years, the Islamic State seemed to be nothing more than a ghost
from the past. A fallacy, because it is now clear that the terrorist
organization never really disappeared and is once again highly active.
Terrorism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler from the Counter Extremism Project warns
of a new danger of attacks in Europe and Germany. "What is new is that the
terrorists are again daring to use more resources for elaborate attacks like
the one in Moscow," said Schindler in an interview with IPPEN.MEDIA. At the end
of March 2024, armed men carried out an attack on a concert hall in the Russian
capital , leaving more than 140 people dead and hundreds injured.”



Reuters: Investigators Seek Clues To New Orleans Attacker's Path To
Radicalization
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“... Individuals susceptible to recruitment “might have lost their jobs,
might have had a mental health crisis, might have just concluded that however
hard they’ve tried, they never belong," said Edmund Fitton-Brown, a former
British diplomat who led a U.N. team that monitors Islamic State and al Qaeda.
The main appeal of Islamic State is its determination to establish a Sunni
Muslim “caliphate” ruled by Islamic law, unlike the Taliban, which “has sold
out to Afghan nationalism,” or al Qaeda, members of which have cooperated with
Iran’s Shiite Muslim-run government, he said.”



Welt: "The Islamic State Has Been Carrying A Victory Narrative Since 2021"
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“In New Orleans, a military veteran drove into a crowd. The flag of the
extremist militia Islamic State (IS) was apparently found in the car. Terrorism
expert Hans-Jakob Schindler speaks about a possible return of IS to Europe.”



Express: UK Terror Alert In Wake Of New Orleans Atrocity: 'Sadly A Question Of
When – Not If'
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“British terror police are on red alert over fears of copycat attacks
following the New Orleans atrocity. Counter-terrorism chiefs and intelligence
officers are monitoring for signs the attack, which killed at least 14 people
in the US city, could inspire jihadis to commit more atrocities… Professor Ian
Acheson, senior adviser at the Counter Extremism Project, told the Daily
Express: "The New Orleans atrocity should greatly concern the security and
intelligence services here. "There are tens of thousands of subjects of
interest on MI5 watchlists. Islamic State encouraged its adherents to use
vehicles to attack Christmas markets late last year and we saw another
murderous attack in Magdeburg only a few weeks ago.”



The National Interest: After Assad, Are The Houthis Next?
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“With the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and Hezbollah in Lebanon defeated
and increasingly isolated, attention turns to the Houthis in Yemen. Perhaps the
strongest remaining Iranian proxy force in the region, the Houthis are
certainly the most active in terms of their attacks on Israel and also on
international shipping in the Red Sea… Ari Heistein is an advisor to Israeli
startups seeking to sell to the U.S. federal government, a consultant on issues
relating to Yemen, and a nonresident fellow at the Counter Extremism Project.”



Südwest 24: New Orleans Death Ride Shows Terror Innovation: How The Islamic
State Recruits Lone Attackers
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“Hundreds of people were celebrating wildly in the French Quarter, the
nightlife district of New Orleans in the USA. Then, at around 3 a.m. on New
Year's Day, a pick-up truck suddenly rammed into the crowd . At least 14 people
died and dozens were injured. The police initially spoke of 15 fatalities, but
revised the number downwards during the course of the Thursday after New Year's
Day… IS has not yet officially claimed responsibility for the attack in New
Orleans. Terror expert Hans-Jakob Schindler from the Counter Extremism Project
believes: "Everything points to a so-called inspired attack by a single
perpetrator or a single terrorist cell, which was motivated by the increased IS
propaganda of recent times."”



SWR Aktuell: Car Attacks: Have The Authorities Failed?
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“Twice within two weeks a car was used as a murder weapon: first in Magdeburg
- then in New Orleans. Security expert Hans-Jakob Schindler has a suspicion. It
was sloppiness, suspects the managing director of the German branch of the
international " Counter Extremism Project " in conversation with SWR Aktuell
presenter Stefan Eich. The authorities in Germany and the USA did not do their
homework when implementing the security concepts.”



United States



NBC News: Driver In New Orleans Terrorist Attack Acted Alone And Was ‘100%
Inspired By ISIS,’ FBI Says
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“The driver behind the deadly New Year’s terrorist attack in New Orleans
posted videos online proclaiming his support for the Islamic State terrorist
group before he rammed his truck into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street,
killing at least 14, the FBI said Thursday. As Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, made his
way to Louisiana from his home in Texas on New Year’s Eve, he gave his social
media followers a glimpse of his violent plan and radical thinking, Christopher
Raia, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s counterterrorism division, said at
a briefing.”



The New York Times: As Biden’s Term Ends, Gaza Truce Efforts Proceed Cautiously

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“Talks between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza and free the remaining
hostages have appeared to make little headway, according to officials familiar
with the discussions, as the clock runs down on the Biden administration’s
remaining days to reach an agreement on a cease-fire. Israel has kept up with
its campaign in Gaza even as mediators have conducted months of shuttle
diplomacy. Israeli and Hamas officials said in December that there had been
progress toward a deal, before each blamed the other side for throwing up fresh
obstacles. Gaps have persisted amid differences between the two sides, the
officials said, and the future of the talks is uncertain.”



Afghanistan



Fox News: ISIS Increasingly Unopposed Following US Withdrawal From
Afghanistan, Collapse Of Syria
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“The threat posed by the Islamic State has once again hit the headlines
following the New Year's Day attack on a crowded street in New Orleans on
Wednesday by a man who may have ties to the terrorist network. Shamsud-Din
Jabbar, a U.S.-born citizen who lived in Texas and an Army Veteran, drove a
pickup truck with an ISIS flag into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street,
killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens of others. However, the FBI has
not confirmed his direct "affiliation" or "association" with the infamous
terrorist network which has been expanding across the globe in recent years,
particularly in regions like the Sahel in Africa, despite the 2019 assertion
that the terrorist network had been "defeated."”



Voice Of America: Taliban Rejects Islamabad's Request For Money To Transfer
TTP Militants Across Durand Line
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“Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesman for the Taliban government, said in
an audio message published by the pro-Taliban radio station Omid Radio on
Thursday, January 2 (March 13), that he did not know for what purpose Pakistani
officials were making such claims. He said: "We reject this claim. The Islamic
Emirate [Taliban government] has not made any such request to Pakistan. It is
regrettable that high-level Pakistani officials are making such claims for any
reason." Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that the
Taliban government had requested a budget of 10 billion rupees, or about $36
million, from Islamabad to transfer and redeploy Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan
(TTP) militants from areas near the Durand Line in Afghanistan to other remote
areas of Afghanistan.”



Pakistan



The New York Times: A Long Fight To Keep A Closer Eye On Madrasas Unravels In
Pakistan <[link removed]>



“They draw millions of poor Pakistani children with the simple promise of
free education, meals and housing. For devout families, they offer Islamic
learning rooted in ancient tradition. But to the Pakistani government and
Western counterterrorism officials, the religious seminaries known as madrasas
also represent a potential threat. The institutions have long been accused of
contributing to violence and radicalization, supplying recruits for the
Taliban, Al Qaeda and other militant groups. Now, Pakistan’s Islamic schools
are at the center of an intense political clash — one that jeopardizes years of
hard-won progress toward bringing the seminaries under the government’s
regulatory umbrella.”



Lebanon



Reuters: Israeli Military Destroys Hezbollah Rocket Launchers In Southern
Lebanon
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“The Israeli military said on Thursday that it had attacked and destroyed
medium-range rocket launchers at a Hezbollah military site in southern Lebanon.
The military said in a statement that before the strike it had sent a request
to Lebanon's army to destroy the launchers and that the launchers were only
attacked after the Lebanese side failed to act. The Lebanese army did not
immediately respond to a request for comment.”



Middle East



Associated Press: Middle East Latest: Israeli Strikes Across Gaza Kill At
Least 50, Including Several Kids
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“Israeli airstrikes killed at least 50 people across central and southern
Gaza, including an attack on a sprawling tent camp that Israel has repeatedly
bombed despite designating it a humanitarian safe zone. Israel said the strike
targeted a high-ranking police officer, and blames Hamas for civilian deaths.
The airstrikes took place Thursday and continued into Friday. On Thursday,
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he authorized a
delegation from the country’s intelligence services and military to continue
negotiations in Qatar toward a ceasefire deal in Gaza. There was no immediate
comment from Hamas.”



Associated Press: Israel Struggles To Deter Escalating Attacks From Yemen’s
Houthi Rebels As Other Fronts Calm
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“The rockets from Gaza have mostly fallen silent. A ceasefire with Hezbollah
militants in Lebanon has taken hold. But repeated fire from Yemen’s Houthi
rebels, a faraway foe, is proving a stubborn threat for Israel. The Iran-backed
Houthis are stepping up their missile attacks, sending hundreds of thousands of
Israelis scrambling for shelter in the middle of the night, scaring away
foreign airlines and keeping up what could be the last major front in the
Middle East wars. “It’s like musical chairs,” said Yoni Yovel, 31, who left the
northern Israeli city of Haifa late last year to avoid rocket fire from
Hezbollah only to see his apartment in Tel Aviv’s Jaffa neighborhood heavily
damaged by a Houthi missile.”



Somalia



Bloomberg: Ethiopia, Somalia Agree To Collaborate On Countering Insurgents
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“Ethiopia and Somalia agreed to work together on a multinational force
battling Islamist insurgents, signaling a further reduction of diplomatic
tensions between the neighboring countries. Talks in Mogadishu on Thursday
between senior government officials resulted in an agreement to “collaborate”
on the so-called African Union Support and Stabilization Mission and
“strengthen bilateral relations,” Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said
in a statement on X on Friday. It didn’t provide details on how the nations
would work together. Somalia’s minister of state for foreign affairs, Ali
Balcad, didn’t immediately respond to a text message requesting comment.”



France



Reuters: German, French Foreign Ministers In Damascus To Meet Syria's New
Rulers
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“ The foreign ministers of Germany and France said they wanted to forge a new
relationship with Syria and urged a peaceful transition as they visited
Damascus on Friday meet its de facto new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on behalf of
the European Union. Germany's Annalena Baerbock and France's Jean-Noel Barrot
are the first ministers from the EU to visit Syria since rebels seized control
of Damascus on Dec. 8 and forced President Bashar al-Assad to flee after more
than 13 years of civil war, ending his family's decades-long rule. "My trip
today...is a clear signal to the Syrians: A new political beginning between
Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria, is possible," German Foreign
Minister Annalena Baerbock said before she left for Damascus.”



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