|
CEP Mentions
WTOP: The Hunt: Was the National Guard attack in DC a terror plot?
On this week’s episode of “The Hunt with WTOP National Security Correspondent J.J. Green,” Dr. Hans Jakob-Schindler, senior director at the Counter Extremism Project, says this case carries the hallmarks of a terror plot.
Analysis
Global Network on Extremism & Technology: Have Any Change to Spare? How the Islamic State Leverages Instagram for Fundraising
Following the 2019 Battle of Baghouz, which marked the Islamic State’s territorial collapse, IS-affiliated individuals flooded into camps run by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Although there are continued efforts to repatriate foreign nationals, the UN has described the camps as an “urgent humanitarian and security situation [that] threatens stability in the region and beyond…with more than 30,000 people, including suspected foreign terrorist fighters and their family members” being held across various sites.
Foreign Policy: West Bank Violence Threatens Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan
Escalating Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank has been a consistent problem over the past two years, though the issue has often been overlooked amid the devastating war in Gaza. But a historic spike in Israeli settler attacks in recent weeks has raised alarm bells among world leaders, and there are growing concerns that the situation could undermine the already tenuous peace process in Gaza that’s undergirded by a 20-point plan pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
United States
Jerusalem Post: Elon Musk calls Jewish people 'peak white' in viral X post about extinction of white people
Elon Musk wrote “Jews are White, if not peak White” on his social media platform X/Twitter on Wednesday. His post, which currently has over 7.5 million views, came following his statement that white people are going extinct.
Fox News: Questions grow over DC suspect’s radicalization as journalist warns of online extremism
The Federalist elections correspondent Brianna Lyman and journalist Emily Austin discuss unanswered questions surrounding the radicalization of the suspect who shot two National Guardsmen on ‘Fox News @ Night.’
CBS News: Treasury investigating whether Minnesota welfare money went to Somali terror group al Shabaab, Bessent says
The Trump administration is looking into whether Minnesota tax money found its way to al Shabaab, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization and al Qaeda affiliate based in Somalia, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday. And on Wednesday, House Oversight committee chairman Rep. James Comer announced he is launching an investigation into the widespread fraud allegations.
Everett Herald: ‘Nihilistic violent extremist’ from Everett arrested in Massachusetts case
Law enforcement arrested an Everett man Wednesday morning after he allegedly threatened to murder a Massachusetts minor and distributed child sex abuse materials and videos of animals being crushed. The 23-year-old’s alleged actions align with the beliefs of nihilistic violent extremists, individuals who engage in criminal conduct with the goal of “bringing about society’s collapse by sowing chaos and social instability,” a press release said from the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Massachusetts.
Fox 7 Austin: CAIR defends against Texas Gov. Abbott's request to revoke tax exemption
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has released a letter they sent to the U.S. Treasury secretary in defense of their status as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization. The letter comes after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent his own to the same office, requesting that the council be stripped of their status.
The Texan: Abbott Urges U.S. Treasury Secretary to Investigate CAIR Following 'Terrorist' Designation
Gov. Greg Abbott is now urging the U.S. Treasury Department to investigate the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) for potential removal of its tax-exempt status. In a letter published Tuesday, Abbott directed his inquiry to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent alleging CAIR’s “longstanding ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, and its ongoing support for terrorism.”
Daily Pennsylvania: Penn Hillel shares results of student survey on Jewish campus experiences
Penn Hillel shared the results of a University-wide survey it conducted that polled Jewish students about their experiences on campus. The survey was circulated among Penn students beginning in February and collected responses throughout the 2025 spring semester. Its results — which were shared by Hillel at a webinar hosted for University alumni and parents of students two weeks ago — indicated that 85% of respondents said they experienced, heard about, or witnessed “something antisemitic” at Penn.
WLWT: Antisemitic, racist messages found inside residence hall at Miami University
Miami University officials said several messages of hate were found in a residence hall on campus last weekend. In a statement to students in Tappan Hall, Miami University’s Dean of Students BaShaun Smith said two antisemitic messages and one racist message were found.
New York Post: Creepy NYC sextortion linked to sick international neo-Nazi cult targeting vulnerable kids online
“Greggy’s Cult” — the online sextortion crew taken down by the feds this week — was linked to an international neo-Nazi network that has duped kids into horrific sex acts, self-mutilation and even murder, The Post has learned. The five alleged ringleaders of the twisted group scoured online gaming sites for vulnerable victims as young as 11, terrorizing them into providing sexually explicit videos and marking their bodies to show their loyalty to the creeps, Brooklyn federal prosecutors said in an indictment unsealed Tuesday.
City Journal: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson: “I Have Inherited a White-Supremacist System”
Last month, activists packed the Chicago Teachers Union Center for the annual conference of the National Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression (NAARPR). Attendees gathered to discuss fighting ICE and confronting the Trump administration. Despite NAARPR’s relative obscurity—it was founded in 1973 to agitate for the release of Angela Davis and has since become a catch-all activist organization—the group’s conference featured several high-profile speakers, including Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson, who claimed to have inherited a “white supremacist system.” The event was hosted by the Chicago Teachers Union, one of Johnson’s most aggressive backers.
Denmark
Times of Israel: Denmark unveils $18.7 million plan to fight antisemitism
Denmark’s government has unveiled a new plan to combat rising antisemitism, pledging 120 million Danish kroner ($18.7 million) through 2030 to boost security, education and research. The new measures will increase security funding for Jewish institutions, strengthen efforts against online hate and introduce new programs for children and young people, the country’s Justice Ministry says. A coordinator on antisemitism will be appointed for schools, and a new association will be created to combat antisemitic hate crimes. The initiatives build on earlier cross-party agreements that expire at the end of the year.
Italy
Times of Israel: Italian Jewish groups condemn vandalism of memorial plaque for terror victim
Italian Jewish organizations issued condemnations on Tuesday after a plaque at a Rome synagogue honoring a Jewish victim of terrorism was vandalized. The plaque dedicated to Stefano Gaj Tachè at the Beth Michael Synagogue in Rome’s Monteverde neighborhood was found defaced over the weekend with anti-Israel slogans in black paint. The vandals also sprayed “Free Palestine” and “Monteverde is anti-Zionist and anti-fascist” on the synagogue’s walls.
Lithuania
Bloomberg: Lithuanian Court Finds Coalition Partner Guilty of Antisemitism
Lithuanian court found the leader of a junior party in the ruling coalition guilty of inciting hatred with antisemitic remarks on social media. The ruling is likely to renew calls for a shakeup in the unease alliance that has been running the country since last year’s election.
Spain
Mirror: Three 'members of neo-Nazi terror group' proscribed in UK arrested by Spain police
Counter-terror cops in Spain arrested three suspected members of a neo-Nazi terrorist organisation proscribed by the UK. Armed officers dismantled the cell after a series of raids in the eastern coastal city of Castellon. The terror group, known as The Base, a rough English translation of al-Qaeda, was outlawed by Dame Priti Patel, the former Home Secretary, in 2021.
United Kingdom
International Business Times: GB News Forced to Pull Segment and Pay Damages After Smearing Major Muslim Charity — Here's What They Said
GB News ignited widespread backlash after broadcasting unfounded terrorism allegations against Islamic Relief, one of the UK's largest Muslim charities, ultimately leading to a High Court libel settlement and a substantial damages payout. The segment, which falsely suggested the organisation funded terrorist groups, was swiftly removed, triggering a spike in searches for 'GB News apology Islamic Relief' as the controversy escalated. This incident has intensified scrutiny of media accountability and the dangerous impact of false terrorism claims on humanitarian organisations.
ITVX: Reform deputy dismisses Farage schoolboy antisemitism allegations as 'made-up twaddle'
Reform UK's deputy leader has dismissed allegations of antisemitism by Nigel Farage when he was at school as "made-up twaddle". Richard Tice was asked about the allegations of racism and antisemitism first reported in the Guardian from more than two dozen of Farage's school peers.
Daily Mail: The neo-Nazi at work in Buckingham Palace: Chief propagandist for far-right network poses for a photo on famous steps of royal residence while employed as visitor guide
Posing proudly in official livery alongside his colleagues - this photo shows a chief propagandist for a Neo-Nazi network working as a tour guide at Buckingham Palace. Matthew Gravill, 26, is pictured on the steps of Buckingham Palace gardens, where members of the Royal Family greet guests during garden parties.
Mirror: Sick satanic neo-Nazi group linked to horror crimes in the UK
A former Brit school actor who claimed to have made a pact with a 'red-horned devil' is only the latest product of a terrifying satanic neo-Nazi group convicted of horror crimes in Britain and around the world. Declan George Candiani, 26, was stopped by counter-terrorism police at Stansted Airport as he attempted to go on holiday to Finland with his girlfriend in August last year.
Russia
BBC: Russia bans Roblox over concerns about safety and extremist content
Russia has blocked access to popular gaming platform Roblox due to concerns over child safety and extremism, including the spread of LGBT-related content. The country's media regulator said Roblox had become rife with "inappropriate content that can negatively impact the spiritual and moral development of children", according to local news outlets.
Afghanistan
Reuters: Fresh round of Afghanistan-Pakistan talks fails to reach a deal, officials say
A new round of peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan has failed to produce a breakthrough to end tensions between the South Asian neighbours, although they agreed to continue their fragile ceasefire, officials from both countries said on Wednesday. The talks in Saudi Arabia last weekend were the latest in a series of meetings hosted by Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia aimed at cooling tensions following deadly border clashes in October.
Afghanistan International: Pakistan Pursuing ‘Mysterious Projects’ In Afghanistan, Says Taliban FM
Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has accused Pakistan of attempting to advance what he described as “mysterious projects” in Afghanistan, alleging that Islamabad seeks to topple the Taliban by exerting economic pressure. Speaking on Wednesday at a meeting with pro-Taliban media activists in Kabul, Muttaqi said Pakistan was using “pretexts” to justify such measures and claimed the Taliban also had the right to defend themselves. He asserted that Pakistan had issues “with all internal political groups and figures, and with the exception of one country with all of its neighbours.”
Gaza Strip/West Bank
Times of Israel: Trump says next phase of his Gaza plan will soon commence amid concern it’s stalling
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the next phase of his Gaza peace plan is “going to happen pretty soon,” amid mounting concern that his proposal has stalled. Trump managed to coax both Israel and Hamas into a ceasefire agreement in October after rallying the international community around his 20-point plan for ending the Gaza war. The separate October 9 document that was actually signed by the parties, though, only dealt with the points relating to what has been framed as “phase one” — the initial truce, IDF pullback, hostage-prisoner swap terms and humanitarian aid provisions. No formal agreement was reached regarding the “phase two” points that dealt with the postwar management of Gaza.
Middle East Eye: Netanyahu says removing 'extremism from the people of Gaza' is last option if Hamas not dealt with
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says removing "extremism from the people of Gaza" is the last option if Hamas is not dealt with, Al Jazeera Arabic reported on Wednesday. He made the comments while speaking about the future of Hamas in Gaza. "Hamas cannot remain in Gaza, and eliminating it will be either through an international force or the hard way," he said.
Iraq
Reuters: How an oil pipeline battle shows the US gaining sway in Iraq
Iranian drones swept through the mountain air of northern Iraq's Kurdistan region in mid-July, homing in on their targets: oilfields run by Americans. Fired by an Iranian-backed militia group within Iraq, likely in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites weeks earlier, one struck the Sarsang field operated by HKN Energy, a company owned by the son of Texas billionaire Ross Perot.
Reuters: Iraq says Khor Mor gas field attack carried out with two drones, perpetrators identified
Iraq's armed forces said on Wednesday that the attack last week on Khor Mor gas field, one of the largest in the Kurdistan region, was carried out using two drones, one which hit the field and another which fell outside it. Iraqi armed forces said the perpetrators behind the attack had been identified, and described them as "outlawed elements."
Iran International: Iraq to amend gazette entry that implied terror designation of Iran-aligned groups
Iraq said it will correct an official gazette entry that appeared to designate Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi movement as terrorist groups and subject them to asset freezes, adding that approvals were limited to listings tied exclusively to Islamic State and al-Qaeda.
Israel
Times of Israel: Body of Sudthisak Rinthalak, Thai farmer and family breadwinner, returned to Israel
Israeli officials confirmed Thursday that the body returned from the Gaza Strip a day earlier was Sudthisak Rinthalak, a Thai agricultural worker who came to Israel to financially support his family back home. Military and Foreign Ministry representatives said they had notified Rinthalak’s family that his body was returned to Israel by Palestinian terror groups, after forensic experts completed identification efforts overnight. The Thai Foreign Ministry also said it had been notified by Israeli authorities of the development.
Jerusalem Post: At the Nova massacre site, freed Gaza hostage Edan Alexander vows to 'give hell' to Hamas
Wearing an IDF uniform, freed hostage Edan Alexander told attendees of the Ambassador Summit 2025 at the site of the Nova Music Festival massacre on Wednesday that, having rejoined the IDF, he will give "hell" to the terrorists that tormented him during his captivity.
Times of Israel: Officials from Israel and Lebanon hold first direct talks in decades in Naqoura
Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held their first direct talks in decades Wednesday, part of a year-old ceasefire monitoring mechanism in the war with Hezbollah. The meeting was held at the UN peacekeeping force’s headquarters in Naqoura in Lebanon, near the border with Israel.
Reuters: Netanyahu's coalition skips parliamentary vote backing Trump's Gaza plan
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition skipped a parliamentary vote on Wednesday endorsing U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to end the two-year war in Gaza. The vote, proposed by opposition leader Yair Lapid, was largely symbolic as Netanyahu had already publicly backed the plan after Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Hamas in October.
Times of Israel: Guinness World Records says it stopped taking records from Israel after October 7
A spokesperson for Guinness World Records confirmed Wednesday that the company is not accepting record submissions from Israel, the West Bank or Gaza, citing the current “sensitive” situation amid the war with Hamas. Confirming the policy after a report about the company refusing to consider a submission by an Israeli charity, the spokesperson told The Times of Israel that Guinness has had a policy not to accept new record submissions from the region since November 2023, the month after Hamas launched its war against Israel on October 7.
Lebanon
Reuters: Lebanon PM says peace with Israel could bring economic ties, but both far off
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Wednesday that a lasting peace with Israel could pave the way to normalising ties with the country and establishing economic ties but that those milestones remained far off given current tensions. "Economic (talks) will be a part of normalisation, normalisation will follow peace. It cannot precede peace," Salam said, when asked about Israel's statements that it was hoping to build ties and economic cooperation with Lebanon.
Syria
ANHA: GCC calls for combating extremism, and Incitement, respecting diversity in Syria
The final communiqué issued by the 46th session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain Summit), held today, emphasized the importance of respecting Syria’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and rejecting foreign interference in its internal affairs. The statement noted that Syria’s security and stability are essential pillars of regional stability. It stressed adherence to the principles of the UN Charter, including state sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, good neighborliness, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, in order to preserve regional and international peace and security.
Yemen
Reuters: Houthis release crew of Greek-operated cargo ship struck in Red Sea
The crew of the Greek-operated cargo ship Eternity C, which sank in the Red Sea in July after being attacked by Yemen's Houthis, have been released, an official with the ship's operator and a maritime security source told Reuters on Wednesday. The crew of the Liberia-flagged Eternity C abandoned the ship before it sank following repeated strikes by the Iran-aligned militants with sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades.
Pakistan
Associated Press of Pakistan: Youth urged to lead fight against extremism, fake news on digital platforms
Speakers at a seminar organized by the Press Information Department (PID), Quetta stressed that the youth must play a leading role in countering violent extremism and curbing the spread of misinformation on digital media. The seminar, held under the PID’s Counter Violent Extremism (CVE) Project, brought together academics, journalists, and students to discuss strategies for tackling extremism, which has become deeply entrenched in society and is being fueled by the rapid circulation of false narratives on social media.
Sudan
Reuters: Sudanese force holding survivors of Darfur siege for ransom, witnesses say
The Sudanese paramilitary force that besieged then overran a city in Darfur in late October is systematically holding trapped residents for ransom, killing or beating those whose families cannot pay, witnesses, aid workers and researchers say. Reuters could not determine exactly how many people the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias have detained in and around al-Fashir, capital of North Darfur. But the accounts suggest that large groups are being held in a cluster of villages within 80 km (50 miles) of al-Fashir, while others have been brought back into the city as the RSF demands payments worth thousands of dollars from their relatives.
Australia
Times of Israel: Australia’s ‘unprecedented’ antisemitic attacks a ‘wake-up call,’ Jewish leaders say
Jewish communities around the world sounded the alarm on Wednesday after a new report said the number of antisemitic incidents in Australia remained at “unprecedentedly high levels” during the past year. A report published Tuesday by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) said the country saw 1,654 incidents during the 12-month period from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025 — about five times the annual average recorded in the decade prior to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
Australian Jewish News: Global Jewish leaders assemble in Australia
The J7 was formed in July 2023 to bring together the seven largest Diaspora communities outside Israel, collectively representing 90 per cent of world Jewry. The group comprises the United States, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Argentina and Australia. Welcoming the J7 representatives at a function attended by local Jewish community leaders on Tuesday evening, Aghion acknowledged it was “a long way for them to come” and expressed gratitude for their presence.
The Nightly: Tony Burke under fire after US offered to help ISIS brides after secret meeting
The Coalition has demanded that Tony Burke explain if he made “secret deals” to assist ISIS brides to return to Australia following revelations he directed a senior public servant to exit a meeting with advocates pushing for their return. Meeting minutes obtained by Coalition senators indicate Mr Burke declined formal aid requests from Save the Children executives for Australians stuck in northern Syria.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Neo-Nazi Matthew Gruter leaves Australia after visa revoked by minister
A Neo-Nazi who protested to "abolish the Jewish lobby" outside New South Wales parliament has left the country, after the home affairs minister cancelled his visa. South African national Matthew Gruter had his visa revoked last month after he was photographed at the front of a rally organised by the National Socialist Network (NSN).
Technology
Euronews: Extremists could use AI to make bioweapons capable of sparking future pandemics, tech experts warn
Earlier this year, some of the world’s top technology and counter-terrorism experts met to work through a hypothetical scenario: a global pandemic sparked by a novel enterovirus strain intentionally created by an extremist group using artificial intelligence (AI). The scenario may sound like the plot of a science fiction novel, but it is entirely plausible in the coming years, according to the group of 14 experts who met to discuss AI safeguards for the life sciences.
| 
