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The Extremism Roundup Focused on Evidence Instead of Narratives
A weekly compilation of the most important developments in the struggle against radical ideologies |
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Dear Reader,
Over the last few weeks, we've seen a disturbing rise in extremist activities across the nation. From the arrest of a white supremacist leader for plotting to destroy a regional power grid to the guilty plea of a man who opened fire outside a synagogue, these incidents underscore the persistent threat of domestic terrorism. In Brooklyn, an 11-year-old Jewish girl was the victim of a hate crime, highlighting the vulnerability of our youngest community members to such violence. These events are stark reminders of the ongoing battle against hate and extremism within our borders.
Internationally, the landscape of threats has evolved with U.S. adversaries increasingly turning to cybercriminals for their operations. This collaboration was evident in recent intelligence reports detailing how state actors leverage free and public malware to conduct espionage and cyber-attacks, blurring the lines between government and criminal activities. Moreover, the arrest of a cult leader and their accomplices linked to multiple murders across different states illustrates how radical ideologies can manifest in extreme violence, necessitating vigilant monitoring and response from law enforcement and communities alike.
Sincerely, |
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A Word From the CEO |
Dear Reader,
Over the last few weeks, we've seen a disturbing rise in extremist activities across the nation. From the arrest of a white supremacist leader for plotting to destroy a regional power grid to the guilty plea of a man who opened fire outside a synagogue, these incidents underscore the persistent threat of domestic terrorism. In Brooklyn, an 11-year-old Jewish girl was the victim of a hate crime, highlighting the vulnerability of our youngest community members to such violence. These events are stark reminders of the ongoing battle against hate and extremism within our borders.
Internationally, the landscape of threats has evolved with U.S. adversaries increasingly turning to cybercriminals for their operations. This collaboration was evident in recent intelligence reports detailing how state actors leverage free and public malware to conduct espionage and cyber-attacks, blurring the lines between government and criminal activities. Moreover, the arrest of a cult leader and their accomplices linked to multiple murders across different states illustrates how radical ideologies can manifest in extreme violence, necessitating vigilant monitoring and response from law enforcement and communities alike.
Sincerely, |
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RIchard Green CEO, Co-Founder Clarionproject.org |
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Islamist Extremism |
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Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, accused of firing a shotgun outside of Temple Israel in New York on Dec. 7, 2023 - Will Waldron via Times Union screenshot
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Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges for Shooting Outside Synagogue
Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, 29, from Schenectady, N.Y., pleaded guilty to federal charges for firing shots outside Temple Israel in Albany on December 7, 2023. He admitted to obstructing religious freedom by threat of force, unlawfully acquiring a firearm, and brandishing it during the crime. Alkhader fired two shotgun rounds near the synagogue, shouting "Free Palestine," which led to a lockdown of daycare at the temple where over 61 children were present. No injuries were reported, but the incident caused significant disruption. Under the plea agreement, Alkhader faces a minimum of seven years in prison, with the possibility of up to life imprisonment. His sentencing is scheduled for June 6, 2025. His accomplice, Andrew Miller, who helped him secure the shotgun illegally, has already been sentenced to 14 months. Read More CAIR Official Goes on Violent Antisemitic Rant
Noora Shalash, the Director of Government Affairs for CAIR-Kentucky, was caught on video allegedly assaulting Jewish visitors in a Manhattan building. The video shows her yelling antisemitic slurs, including statements like "I demand Jihad" and "I want ISIS to kill all of you." The Justice Department has identified the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as an “entity” of the U.S. Muslim Brotherhood. Shalash was arrested in Midtown Manhattan and charged with aggravated harassment and a second-degree hate crime following the viral video's circulation. She was taken for a mental evaluation and is expected to be arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court. Read More |
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Militant-Right and Militant-Left Extremism |
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Brandon Russell, in a mugshot from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office - via NBC News
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White Supremacist Found Guilty of Conspiring to Attack Power Grid
- Brandon Russell, a 29-year-old from Orlando, Fla., was found guilty after a six-day trial of conspiracy to damage an energy facility.
- From November 2022 to February 3, 2023, Russell conspired to attack critical infrastructure in furtherance of his racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist beliefs. He aimed to maximize impact by targeting multiple substations simultaneously. Potential damages would have exceeded $75 million.
- Russell faces up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy charge. Read More
Far-Left Cult Leader Arrested
- Jack "Ziz" LaSota, the 34-year-old leader of the Zizian cult, was arrested in Maryland along with two followers, Michelle Zajko and Daniel Blank. LaSota, who identifies as transgender and uses they/them pronouns, was captured after months on the run.
- The Zizians are implicated in at least six murders across the United States, including the high-profile killing of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland. The group's activities span three states: Vermont, Pennsylvania, and California.
- The Zizians are characterized by their radical vegan and transgender beliefs, coupled with anarchist ideologies.
- All three individuals were held without bail after their court appearance in Allegany County, Md. Read More
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Hate Crime |
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Shooting victim Ari Rabey (L) describes the ordeal in an interview - via YNet News video screenshot |
Man Faces Hate Crime, Murder Charges After Opening Fire on Father and Son
In Miami Beach, Mordechai Brafman, a 27-year-old Florida man, was charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder after he allegedly opened fire on a father and son, believing them to be Palestinian. The two men shot were vacationing Israelis, Ari and Yarin Rabey. Read More 11-Year-Old Girl Attacked
- An 11-year-old Jewish girl was assaulted in an apparent hate crime in Brooklyn's South Williamsburg area.
- The suspect approached the girl from behind, pulled her hair, and dragged her to the ground. She was attacked because she was wearing traditional Jewish attire. Read More
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School Threats |
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Trinity Shockley - via Fox59 screenshot |
Wisconsin Trans Student Arrested for Parkland-Style Shooting Plot
Trinity J. Shockley, an 18-year-old transgender student from Mooresville High School in Indiana, was arrested following an anonymous tip originating from Wisconsin. Shockley was charged with plotting a mass shooting at the school on Valentine's Day. Shockley had been planning the attack for a year, inspired by the 2018 Parkland shooting. Evidence included screenshots of conversations, photos of weapons, and a collage of past school shooters in Shockley’s bedroom. Shockley confessed to the plot, but claimed it was a "joke." Currently held without bond, Shockley faces charges including conspiracy to commit murder and intimidation with a threat of terrorism. Read More New York Teen Arrested for Online Threat
- An 18-year-old female student from Huntington High School on Long Island was arrested for posting a threat of "mass harm" on Snapchat, targeting the school community.
- The student's identity was not released; she is set for a future arraignment on charges related to making the threat. Read More
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Foreign Influence Operations |
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The malware alert appears on the screen of a smartphone - Jaque Silva/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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U.S. Adversaries Increasingly Turning to Cybercriminals
According to a report by Google's Threat Intelligence Group, there's a noticeable increase in state-sponsored hackers using free or public malware, which enhances deniability and reduces operational costs. This practice is also seen in China, Iran, and North Korea. The lines between nation-state actors and cybercriminals are becoming less distinct. This partnership allows state actors to access a broader range of cyber capabilities without the need for extensive in-house development, making attacks more frequent and harder to attribute. The collaboration between state actors and cybercriminals poses a significant threat to national security, as it facilitates more sophisticated, widespread, and potentially disruptive cyber operations worldwide. Read More Wisconsin Man Indicted for Smuggling Firearms to Saudi Arabia
Mark John Buschman, a 60-year-old from Viroqua, Wisc., was indicted on six counts for allegedly selling and smuggling firearms and related parts to buyers in Saudi Arabia without a license. Buschman is accused of running an illegal export conspiracy for over five years, from February 2019 to December 2024. He obtained firearms in the U.S., advertised them on platforms like eBay, and shipped them to Saudi Arabia, receiving approximately $398,000 from buyers. Buschman faces charges including conspiracy to smuggle goods, attempted smuggling, dealing in firearms without a license, and making false statements to law enforcement. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 42 years in prison and fines of up to $1.5 million. Read More USAID Alleged to Have Transferred Millions of Dollars to Hamas
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) accused the United States Agency for International Development of providing “vast and secret” funding for Hamas following new revelations about USAID’s practices vis-à-vis Israel and the Palestinians. Cruz accompanied his allegation with a link to an exposé by The Washington Free Beacon that detailed cases of alleged funding by USAID of Hamas and terrorist-affiliated entities. In recent weeks, the administration of President Donald Trump froze funding by USAID to third parties as the Department of State under Secretary Marco Rubio and other government entities review its spending and procedures. Read More |
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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.”
-- Alexander Hamilton
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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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