Email from Counter Extremism Project (CEP) Taliban Have Wiped Out Freedom Of Speech & Press, Says Human Rights Watch Eye on Extremism October 23, 2025   Top Stories Wall Street Journal: A U.S. Plan Splits Gaza in Two—One Zone Controlled by Israel, One by Hamas The U.S. and Israel are considering a plan that would divide Gaza into separate zones controlled by Israel and Hamas, with reconstruction only taking place on the Israeli side as a stopgap until the militant group can be disarmed and removed from power. Afghanistan International: Taliban Have Wiped Out Freedom Of Speech & Press, Says Human Rights Watch Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that the Taliban have completely dismantled freedom of expression and the press in Afghanistan. The report said that they have created an environment of fear marked by arrests, torture, and forced self-censorship among journalists. In a report released Thursday, the rights organisation said that since the Taliban’s return to power four years ago, Afghan journalists have faced severe repression and intimidation, with authorities monitoring all media content. Even minor criticism of Taliban officials can lead to arrest or physical abuse, the report said.   CEP's ARCHER at House 88 The Auschwitz Research Centre on Hate, Extremism and Radicalization (ARCHER) at House 88 is sited at the former residence of Rudolf Höss, Commandant of the Auschwitz concentration and death camp from 1940-1944. We will transform it into a unique symbol of the fight against antisemitism, extremism, and terrorism. Follow ARCHER at House 88 on X, Facebook, and Instagram to stay updated on our progress.   CEP Mentions Berliner Morgenpost: Neo-Nazis plan demonstration in front of Brandenburg Gate - to protect tourists? "Pickpockets, scammers and con artists are stealing money from the pockets of Berliners and especially our unsuspecting tourists," reads the call for a demonstration on the Telegram channel of the far-right German Youth Voran. However, the demonstration was registered by the Berlin branch of Heimat - formerly the NPD - as the police reported on request. The youth organization of the neo-Nazi party, the Young Nationalists, are also mentioned in the call. The campaign demonstrates the now close connection between older neo-Nazi cadres and young right-wing extremists. Political scientist Alexander Ritzmann [CEP Senior Advisor] sees this alliance as a result of the crisis that Die Heimat has been in for years. This is expressed above all in declining membership figures. Deutsche Jugend Voran, on the other hand, which was founded last year, was also looking for orientation. Analysis Jerusalem Post: Gulf nations hopeful as US backs international force to oversee Gaza – analysis In the region, there is increasing hope that the ceasefire in Gaza may hold. This is primarily because countries in the Middle East see that the US is investing in this ceasefire. They have seen how US President Donald Trump, and his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, have visited Israel, and now Vice-President JD Vance has come. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to come next. Countries in the Gulf see this as a positive sign. They also think that the US is serious about an international force for Gaza. However, many are still wondering about the details. United States NPR: Amid claims that left-wing terrorism is rising, what do the data say? The assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk has reanimated claims that the left is increasingly responsible for terrorist activity in the U.S. But the data paints a more complicated picture. Axios: Trump admin expands its war on "narco-terrorists" to eastern Pacific The U.S. announced it killed five purported "narco-terrorists" in two strikes on vessels in the eastern Pacific, marking an expansion of the Pentagon's shadowy military campaign. Mashable: Stephen King has a blunt response to Stephen Miller's 'leftwing terrorism' post Stephen King has had plenty of stern words for the president recently, but on Sunday he turned his attention to the deputy chief of staff instead. The horror master responded to an X post from Stephen Miller talking about "a large and growing movement of leftwing terrorism" in the US. NPR: Trump wants to name antifa a foreign terrorist organization. Here's what it could do President Trump has already issued an order designating antifa a "domestic terrorist organization." Now his administration is talking about also labeling it as a foreign terrorist organization. Jewish Telegraphic Agency: 850+ US rabbis sign letter opposing Zohran Mamdani and the ‘political normalization’ of anti-Zionism As the New York mayoral election draws near, more than 850 rabbis and cantors from across the United States have signed onto a letter voicing their opposition to mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani and the “political normalization” of anti-Zionism. The letter, titled “A Rabbinic Call to Action: Defending the Jewish Future,” cited Mamdani’s previous defense of the slogan “globalize the Intifada,” his denial of “Israel’s legitimacy” and his accusations that Israel has committed a genocide in Gaza. NBC News: NYC mayoral candidates spar over antisemitism New York state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, fmr. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa spar over who would best combat antisemitism in NYC during a mayoral debate. Jewish Telegraphic Agency: NJ Republican gubernatorial nominee faces backlash after aide says he wouldn’t take ‘money from Jews’ The Republican nominee for New Jersey governor has come after one of his aides said he wasn’t “taking money from Jews” at a campaign event. Ibrar Nadeem, the Muslim relations adviser to Jack Ciattarelli, made the remarks at a “community dinner” in Piscataway, New Jersey, on Saturday organized by a group called Muslims 4 Jack. Philadelphia Inquirer: Penn faculty group says faculty, students facing ‘unfounded accusations of antisemitism’ from the university One University of Pennsylvania faculty member was called into a university office to answer for assigning “a pedagogically-relevant reading about conflict in Palestine,” others for political posts on personal social media accounts. One faced questions for wearing a stole with the Palestinian flag at an off-campus event. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bill to codify definition of antisemitism in Wisconsin law faces pushback over First Amendment concerns A bill that aims to codify in Wisconsin law a definition of antisemitism faced opposition in a public hearing, with some speakers arguing it could infringe on First Amendment rights to criticize the actions of the Israeli government in Palestine. France Jerusalem Post: French authorities launch investigation over party with ties to Islamist networks The left-wing French party La France Insoumise (LFI) has extensive ties to Islamist elements, several French journalists have testified in recent weeks. The testimonies have been presented to the French National Assembly, which has launched a parliamentary commission of inquiry on the links between LFI and Islamist networks. Europe Politico: Europe’s centrists may have to work with the far right to get things done, warns European Parliament chief The centrist forces that have ruled Brussels for decades may no longer be able to pass legislation and could have to team up with right-wing and far-right parties, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola warned Thursday. Metsola was speaking at the EU summit a day after members of Parliament rejected a landmark proposal to cut red tape for businesses amid division over how far the EU should go in scaling back its laws. That vote sparked anger in national capitals. Germany Globe and Mail: The German question Pressure is building on the Bundestag, Germany’s federal parliament, which returned from summer recess in September, to ban the AfD over its alleged Nazi sympathies. Deutsche Welle: Merz says Europeans fear 'public spaces' due to migration On a visit to Potsdam last week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz talked about how his government was toughening up its migration policy. The primary aim, he said, was to continue to combat what he called illegal immigration. Then he added another sentence, which has since caused a furor: "But we still have this problem in the cityscape, of course, and that's why the federal interior minister is facilitating and carrying out large-scale deportations." EU Today: Thuringia’s AfD accused of seeking sensitive data via parliamentary questions, allegedly useful to Russia Germany’s debate over alleged Russian influence reignited on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, after officials in Thuringia accused lawmakers from Alternative for Germany (AfD) of using formal parliamentary questions to collect sensitive information potentially useful to Moscow. Thuringia’s interior minister, Georg Maier (SPD), said AfD deputies had lodged 47 inquiries over the past 12 months concerning critical infrastructure and policing capabilities, a pattern he likened to working through a “Kremlin order list.” The AfD rejected the charge. Ireland The Guardian: Second night of unrest in Dublin as protesters target asylum hotel Twenty-three people were arrested after an hours-long standoff with Irish police, whose members were directly struck with fireworks, stones and other debris on a second consecutive night of disorder in Dublin. Two members of the Irish police service, An Garda Síochána, were taken to hospital with injuries sustained during clashes with protesters. One garda was struck on the head by a bottle while the other sustained a shoulder injury. United Kingdom CNN: Northern Ireland court finds soldier not guilty of murder over Bloody Sunday killings A Belfast court on Thursday found a British soldier not guilty of murder in the only trial of a member of the British armed forces over the 1972 “Bloody Sunday” killings of 13 unarmed Catholic civil rights marchers in Northern Ireland. BBC: 'My teenage daughter fell victim to a satanic online group – and I felt powerless to help' When a 14-year-old girl began talking to other teenagers online, her mother was not too worried. But within weeks, Christina (not her real name) found her daughter's behaviour had spiralled out of control. Thames Valley Police: Man convicted of extreme right-wing terrorism offences A man with an extreme right-wing mindset has today (23/10) been convicted of possessing terrorist documents, encouraging terrorism and inciting racial hatred by sharing his racist, anti-Semitic and white supremacy views with others. Following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE), Nicholas Gilpin, of Dippingwell Court, Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire, was convicted of four counts of possessing terrorist information, contrary to section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000; encouragement of terrorism, contrary to section one of the Terrorism Act 2006; and two counts of stirring up racial hatred. Jerusalem Post: Activists disrupt lecture at City, University of London, demand Israeli professor's dismissal Masked anti-Israel activists barged into a City, St George's, University of London class on Wednesday to demand the firing of the Israeli lecturer, who told Sky News that one of the students had threatened to behead him. The keffiyeh-clad activists disrupted the class by berating Professor Michael Ben-Gad for his mandatory service in the IDF during the 1980s, urging students to leave his lecture. They decried Ben-Gad as a "terrorist" and "war criminal." Jewish News Syndicate: Trump admin reaches agreement with UVA, lauds ‘progress’ on Jew-hatred The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Wednesday that it reached an agreement with the University of Virginia, a public school in Charlottesville, that it said will protect “students, faculty and employees from violations of federal civil rights laws, including from discrimination based on race, sex or national origin.” Afghanistan Afghanistan International: Khalilzad Urged Taliban To Appoint Tajik Figures To Gain Legitimacy Former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has reportedly urged the Taliban to appoint “a few Tajik figures” to senior positions in their administration in an effort to boost the group’s domestic and international legitimacy, sources told Afghanistan International. Sources in the United States told the outlet that Khalilzad’s recent visit to Kabul was a personal trip and not linked to the US government. During his stay, he met with the Taliban’s defence minister and several senior officials. Afghanistan International: Taliban Gains Access To Sensitive Afghan Citizens Data At Bonn Consulate The Taliban have likely gained access to sensitive personal data of Afghan citizens, including at-risk individuals, after assuming control of Afghanistan’s consulate in the German city of Bonn, according to a report by Germany’s Tagesschau news outlet. Afghanistan International: Pakistan Has Crossed The Line Too Often, Says Taliban Deputy FM Naeem Wardak, the Taliban’s deputy foreign minister, told China’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, that Pakistan has “tested the Taliban administration’s patience” over the past four years, according to a Taliban foreign ministry's statement. During their meeting in Kabul, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and ongoing tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan. The ministry quoted Wardak as saying that while the Taliban remains committed to resolving disputes through dialogue, Pakistan’s actions over the past four years have forced Kabul to “respond in kind.” Afghanistan International: Taliban Extend Land Seizures, Taking Over Influential Afghan Leader Township The Taliban’s Ministry of Justice has seized a large residential development in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, declaring the “Ishaq Gailani Township” government property. The decision was announced after a court ruled that the land had not been legally purchased from the state. Gaza Strip Jerusalem Post: Trump admin., Israel planning to divide Gaza into two zones to undermine Hamas – WSJ The US and Israel are considering dividing Gaza into separate zones controlled by the IDF and Hamas, with reconstruction measures only occurring in the Israeli-controlled areas as a way to ensure Hamas disarms, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. Jerusalem Post: Netanyahu: Israel will not agree to Turkish soldiers in post-war Gaza Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that Turkish soldiers will not be allowed to enter Gaza in a conversation with Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, the head of Egypt's General Intelligence Service, and US Vice President JD Vance during their visit to Israel. Israel Times of Israel: Smotrich on Saudi normalization: ‘No thank you, keep riding camels’ Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Thursday that he wouldn’t agree to a normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia if it meant the establishment of a Palestinian state, disparagingly saying the Saudis could “keep riding camels.” Jerusalem Post: 'He does not represent us': Israeli politicians slam Smotrich after Saudi insult Members of Israel's coalition and opposition on Thursday criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's recent statements that if the price of normalization with Saudi Arabia was a Palestinian state, it could “keep riding camels in the Saudi desert.” Wall Street Journal: A Parade of Senior U.S. Officials Descends on Israel for ‘Bibisitting’ Duty Vice President JD Vance is due to fly out of Israel on Thursday, just hours before Secretary of State Marco Rubio flies in. Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were on the ground a few days before. The high-level relay of U.S. officials descending on Israel is aimed at ensuring the cease-fire deal in Gaza that is President Trump’s most notable foreign-policy achievement to date doesn’t fall apart in its early days. Times of Israel: ICJ says Israel obligated to work with UNRWA; Jerusalem ‘categorically rejects’ notion The International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion on Wednesday, asserting that Israel is legally obligated to allow the UN’s controversial Palestinian relief agency to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza, and stating that the provision of aid to the Strip during the war there has been inadequate. Times of Israel: Netanyahu said to insist PA have no role in Gaza as US pushes Trump’s plan to end war While meeting Wednesday with US Vice President JD Vance, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed willingness to assist in implementing the next stages of Washington’s Gaza ceasefire and hostage release plan, Israeli television reported, as the Trump administration pushes to advance its proposal for ending the Israel-Hamas war. Jerusalem Post: IDF troops find 'Mein Kampf' during West Bank raid on Hamas-affiliated Hebron charity The IDF discovered a copy of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler’s biography Mein Kampf during a raid on a Hamas-affiliated charity office in Hebron, the military announced on Thursday. During operations at the offices of the Islamic Charity Association in Hebron, troops found a copy of the book translated into Arabic. Jerusalem Post: IDF trains for October 7-style Hezbollah attack from Lebanon in major northern border drill The IDF conducted 30 hours of training for defensive battles across the entire northern border over the last week in preparation for the attempt of an October 7-like attack from Lebanon. One of the scenarios presented during the training tested the army’s ability to respond to a surprise attack on the city of Nahariya, a major urban center with tens of thousands of residents, if hundreds of terrorists attempted to infiltrate by air, land, and sea to capture the city. Lebanon Naharnet: Lebanon on the verge of 'dangerous, highly critical phase', report says Lebanon is being warned by western and Arab officials about a possible Israeli escalation if the army fails to disarm Hezbollah, al-Akhbar newspaper said Thursday. The pro-Hezbollah daily claimed that Lebanese authorities have been told that "Lebanon is on the verge of a very dangerous and highly critical phase" and that "Israel will not remain idle for long" if the Lebanese state does not implement its disarmament plan, but a western diplomat told local al-Joumhouria newspaper that he sees no signs of a wide war. Naharnet: Ortagus in Israel Sunday to discuss preventing Hezbollah rearmament, report says U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus will visit Israel next Sunday in diplomatic efforts aimed at "maintaining the ceasefire and preventing Hezbollah from rearming in Lebanon," Israeli media reports said. The report said that Ortagus would discuss in Israel possible approaches that might be adopted to ensure Hezbollah does not rearm in South Lebanon. Naharnet: Israeli official says attacks aim to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding itself The latest Israeli military maneuvers on the northern front are aimed at “implementing defense and moving to offense,” an Israeli military official told Al-Arabiya on Thursday. “We are dealing any immediate threat in Lebanon in a direct manner,” the official said, adding that “any Hezbollah activity along the frontier is being monitored.” Syria Wall Street Journal: Islamic State Rises Again in Syria, Filling a Void Left by U.S. Six years later, that rare, decisive victory over militancy is being eroded. Islamic State, now a decentralized mobile insurgency, is exploiting a reduced American presence and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria to enlist new recruits and widen its reach, said U.S. and Kurdish military commanders. Turkey Daily Sabah: Govt ally calls for soft rhetoric for terror-free Türkiye Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairperson Devlet Bahçeli on Thursday defended his recent use of the term "founding leader” regarding imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, saying it was meant as a metaphor within terror-free Türkiye initiative. Speaking to OdaTV, Bahçeli described the initiative as "a straight line between two points,” emphasizing that a harsh tone could damage the process. "If the line between these two points is straight, everything becomes clearer. If our language hardens, the line bends,” he stated. Yemen AFP: 12 UN workers allowed to leave Yemen after detention by Houthi rebels, UN says Twelve international United Nations employees who had been held by Yemen’s Houthi rebels inside their compound flew out of the rebel-held capital on Wednesday, the UN said. The Iran-backed Houthis raided the UN compound in the capital Sanaa last weekend, holding 20 staff, including 15 foreigners. Five Yemeni nationals were released on Sunday. Yemen Online: Yemen : Houthi Leader Threatens Military Escalation, Cites “Full Readiness” for Renewed Operations Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the leader of Yemen’s Houthi militia, has issued a stark warning of renewed military operations, citing what he described as the group’s “full military readiness” to confront regional and international threats. The statement, delivered in a televised speech from Sana’a, signals a potential escalation amid rising tensions in the region. Yemen Online: Reports Reveal Widespread Houthi Violations Against Mosques and Religious Figures in Yemen Human rights organizations have released alarming reports documenting extensive violations committed by the Houthi movement against mosques, religious scholars, and worshippers across northern Yemen. The findings point to a systematic campaign of repression targeting religious institutions and figures who oppose or diverge from the group’s ideological doctrine. Yemen Online: Yemen Seizes Iranian Arms Ship Bound for Houthis in Major Smuggling Bust Yemeni security forces have intercepted a vessel loaded with Iranian-made weapons en route to Houthi-controlled areas, in what officials are calling one of the most significant smuggling busts of the year. The ship, identified as a “Boom”-type vessel, was seized off the coast of Al-Sabihah and Ras Al-Arah in Lahj Governorate, following precise surveillance and intelligence coordination. Pakistan Reuters: Pakistan bans Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan under anti-terrorism law Pakistan's cabinet unanimously approved a ban on hardline Islamist group Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan under the country's anti-terrorism act, the government said on Thursday. Dawn: 11 militants killed in Chagai, Sibi operations At least 11 militants were killed in separate operations in Chagai and Sibi districts over the past 24 hours, whereas two police constables were martyred in Noshki, and a security official lost his life to a landmine in Kachhi, officials said on Wednesday. Niger Reuters: American missionary kidnapped in Niger, sources say An American missionary was kidnapped in Niger's capital Niamey, three security sources said on Wednesday. The missionary, who is a pilot for the evangelical missionary agency Serving in Mission, was seized by three unidentified men as he headed to the airport on Tuesday night in Niger's Plateau neighbourhood, a diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity told Reuters. Nigeria Reuters: Nigerian army repels drone-backed insurgent attacks Islamist insurgents launched simultaneous attacks in four districts of Northeastern Nigeria using armed drones and heavy firepower, and torched a military barracks before being repelled by troops, a Nigerian army spokesperson said on Thursday. Jihadists carried out the attacks between midnight and 0300 GMT on three troop positions in Borno State and another in neighbouring Yobe State. Arab News: Nigerian military says kills 50 jihadists in army base raids Nigeria’s military said on Thursday it had killed 50 militants using drones to carry out multiple attacks on army bases in the volatile northeast. The authorities in Africa’s most populous country and one of its powerhouses, have been fighting the Boko Haram militant group and its Daesh West Africa Province (Daesh-WAP) splinter for 16 years. Australia Mirage News: Victoria Police Hosts Global Counterterrorism Forum Melbourne has this week hosted some of the world's leading counter terrorism experts as part of the Leadership in Counter Terrorism Alumni Association (LinCT-AA) 2025 international counter terrorism conference. CEP Podcasts Unpacking the week's extremism-related anniversaries and news, as well as counter extremism developments and prospects. A deep dive into CEP's research and topics that are relevant to our mission, from our Berlin-based team.   The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) is a nonprofit and non-partisan international policy organization working to combat the growing threat posed by extremist ideologies. CEP depends on the generosity of its supporters. If you value what we do, please consider making a donation. DONATE Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe for yourself here. 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