Email from Counter Extremism Project (CEP) Islamic State-linked rebels kill 15 in eastern Congo, officials say Eye on Extremism January 2, 2026   Top Stories BBC: Trump warns US will intervene if Iran kills protesters US President Donald Trump has warned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, saying Washington "will come to their rescue". In a brief post on social media, he wrote: "We are locked and loaded and ready to go." He gave no further details. Reuters: Islamic State-linked rebels kill 15 in eastern Congo, officials say Islamic State-linked rebels killed at least 15 people in three villages in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's Lubero territory, two officials said on Friday, keeping up a pattern of lethal attacks targeting mostly civilians. The Allied Democratic Forces began as an insurgent force in Uganda but has been based in the forests of neighbouring Congo since the late 1990s, and is recognised by Islamic State as an affiliate.     CEP Mentions Deutsche Welle: German foreign policy 2026: the search for a clear direction Netanyahu has not been summoned to Germany. There is an arrest warrant against him from the International Criminal Court, and the German government would, in principle, be obliged to arrest him. In Berlin, they want to avoid a situation "in which they would have to say: well, for diplomatic reasons we cannot arrest Mr. Netanyahu, we don't want that, but we don't want to tarnish the reputation of the International Criminal Court either," Hans-Jakob Schindler, a Middle East expert and director of the international organization "Counter Extremism Project ," told DW. Welt: "The economic situation is indeed extremely disastrous." The protests in Iran continue to spread. For the first time, arrests have been made in the capital, Tehran, and other cities. Extremism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler summarizes the current developments. Analysis Jewish News Syndicate: Qatar promotes jihad through Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas Qatar is a key external enabler of Hamas, providing political shelter, financial channels and ideological support while publicly denying involvement in terrorism. Hamas leadership used Qatar as a base for long-term strategic planning, including preparations for the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack and broader efforts to eliminate Israel. United States Homeland Security Today: Calls by Al-Qaeda Leader and ISIS Supporters for Attacks on Americans and Christians During Holiday Season On December 23, 2025, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)’s official media arm, Al-Malahem, released two posters featuring the group’s current leader, Sa’ad bin Atef Al-Awlaqi, who assumed the role in March 2024 following the natural death of predecessor Khalid Al-Batarfi. Fox News: FBI disrupts alleged ISIS-inspired New Year’s Eve attack plot targeting NC grocery store The FBI disrupted an alleged plot to attack people inside a grocery store in North Carolina on New Year’s Eve in support of the Islamic State terrorist group, prosecutors revealed Friday. Christian Sturdivant, 18, of Mint Hill — a town outside Charlotte — was arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Russ Ferguson said. New York Jewish Week: Mamdani’s first act: revoking Eric Adams’ executive orders, including on Israel, antisemitism and BDS With weeks to go before Zohran Mamdani would replace him as mayor of New York City, Eric Adams issued an executive order barring city officials from taking action against Israel or entities associated with it. The order, issued Dec. 5, represented a gauntlet by the avowedly pro-Israel mayor for Mamdani, who opposes Israel. Most recent New York City mayors have extended their predecessors’ executive orders, at least temporarily. Would Mamdani prioritize city tradition or his stance on Israel? In his first hours in office on Thursday, Mamdani offered an answer. He revoked all of the executive orders Adams issued after Adams’ September 2024 indictment on federal corruption charges that were later dropped on the Trump administration’s demand. The Guardian: Israel accuses Mamdani of antisemitism on first day as New York mayor Israel’s foreign ministry has accused the New York mayor, Zohran Mamdani, of pouring “antisemitic gasoline on an open fire” after he reversed a recent order by the outgoing mayor, Eric Adams. “On his very first day as @NYCMayor, Mamdani shows his true face: he scraps the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel. This isn’t leadership. It’s antisemitic gasoline on an open fire,” the foreign ministry said in a post on X. Times of Israel: Former NYC mayor Eric Adams criticizes Mamdani for revoking order on antisemitism Former New York City mayor Eric Adams criticized his successor, Zohran Mamdani, for revoking executive orders on antisemitism as part of a sweeping nullification of many of Adams’s orders on his first day in office. Mamdani was inaugurated at the start of 2026. Following the inaugural ceremonies, he issued an executive order that revoked all executive orders Adams implemented since September 26, 2024, when Adams was indicted for corruption. The charges were later dropped. Jerusalem Post: Anti-Israel activists clash with deceased hostage Ran Gvili's family at Netanyahu Miami shul speech Anti-Israel activists clashed with the family of deceased hostage Ran Gvili outside the Shul of Bal Harbour on Wednesday, according to footage published by social media influencer Joseph Waks and photographs posted by the 50501 activist movement – amid protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to local leaders and the Jewish community at the Miami house of worship. Jerusalem Post: Eric Adams publishes report into actions to combat antisemitism during time as NYC mayor As his final move before leaving office, NYC's former Mayor Eric Adams published the first-ever municipal report on the administration’s efforts to combat antisemitism. Adams has now been replaced by Zohran Mamdani, the first NYC mayor to be sworn in on the Koran. Jewish Telegraphic Agency: Rep. Randy Fine’s incendiary comments on Muslims alarm many Jews — without denting his standing on the pro-Israel right In his brief time in the House, freshman Jewish Congressman Randy Fine has built a reputation for combative outbursts — particularly about Muslims. But the Florida Republican ignited a new round of controversy earlier this month with a series of disparaging remarks about Palestinians and what he called “mainstream Muslims” that his critics —on the left and right — say are not just provocative but amount to “genocidal.” Ynet: Trump antisemitism envoy warns foreign money fuels hate on the American right Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the U.S. administration’s special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, praised President Donald Trump for his unwavering support of Israel and his fight against antisemitism in the United States, saying the current moment presents an unprecedented opportunity for Jewish security and religious freedom. Canada Jerusalem Post: Ontario tells Toronto police to curb anti-Israel protests in Jewish neighborhoods Action to curtail weekly anti-Israel protests in Jewish majority neighborhoods in Toronto is the responsibility of police leadership, Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said in a Tuesday letter to Toronto Police Service Chief Myron Demkiw and Toronto Police Services Board Chair Council Shelley Carroll, claiming that the provincial government had provided law enforcement enough resources to address the issue. Iran International: Canada says Iran’s designation of navy as ‘terrorist’ is baseless Canada on Wednesday rejected Iran’s decision to designate the Royal Canadian Navy as a terrorist organization, calling the move baseless and politically motivated and reaffirming its sanctions and human rights pressure on Tehran. John Babcock, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada, said the designation had “no basis in fact” and was a retaliatory response to Ottawa’s decision last year to list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity under Canadian law. Mexico Greek City Times: Mexico Arrests Cartel Leader Accused by US of “Narco-Terrorism” Mexican authorities have arrested a suspected cartel leader in the violence-stricken state of Sinaloa, who has been accused by the United States of “narco-terrorism,” federal officials said. Pedro Insunza Noriega was charged in May by the US government with narco-terrorism, large-scale trafficking of fentanyl, cocaine and heroin, as well as money laundering. The charges form part of the intensified campaign launched by US President Donald Trump against drug cartels accused of flooding the American market with illicit narcotics. Ireland Times of Israel: ‘RAT JEW’ graffiti painted on Ireland road; police treating incident as a hate crime A road in Ireland was defaced with antisemitic graffiti this week, including the words “RAT,” “JEW,” and “USA,” along with swastikas and Stars of David. The vandalism, on a rural road outside the small town of Ardee in Leinster province, was discovered as early as last Sunday, according to social media reports. Spain Jerusalem Post: Jewish community files complaint over Catalonia map identifying Jewish, Israeli-linked businesses Members of Spain’s Jewish community have filed complaints with a French online platform over a mapping project that identifies Jewish businesses, Israeli companies, and firms operating in Israel in Catalonia, local Jewish community outlet Enfoque Judío reported. According to Enfoque Judío, the project, called Barcelonaz, was launched by an unidentified group that describes itself as composed of “journalists, professors, and students.” Jerusalem Post: 'They threw a glass bottle at him': Israeli artists attacked over antisemitic mural in Barcelona Israeli mural artists Hodaya and Dudi Shoval flew to Barcelona last week with the clear intention of leaving their mark on antisemitic, anti-Zionist, and anti-Israeli graffiti in prominent locations throughout the city, which has recently become a popular destination for Israeli tourists. The Shovals began their project of turning antisemitic murals into pro-Israel messages about two months ago in Amsterdam. During their work in Barcelona, a mob gathered and attacked them, first with insults before escalating to physical violence. When the Shovals and their camera crew tried to get into their car, a glass bottle was thrown at their photographer’s head. United Kingdom The Times: Peer on Islamophobia task force ‘hosted extremist in parliament’ A Muslim peer helping to draft an official definition of Islamophobia has been reported to the standards watchdog after a restaurateur who hosted a “watch party” celebrating attacks on Israel was invited to an event she hosted in parliament. Baroness Gohir, one of five people appointed to the working group to define anti-Muslim hatred, hosted an event on November 12 that was attended by Haleem Kherallah, founder of the Palestinian restaurant Shakeshuka in Marylebone. The Telegraph: You have the power to deport ‘extremist’, Home Secretary told The Home Secretary will be challenged to revoke the citizenship of an Egyptian “extremist” using her existing anti-terror powers when Parliament returns next week. The Conservatives and Reform UK will demand that Shabana Mahmood take action against Alaa Abd el-Fattah, who has called in the past for “all Zionists” to be killed and for Downing Street to be burned down. France 24: England's extreme patriots: Inside the growing nationalist movement Across England, a new wave of nationalist activism is reshaping the political landscape. From demonstrations outside asylum-seeker hotels to mass rallies drawing tens of thousands in London, groups draped in Union Jacks and St George's Cross flags are making their presence felt. FRANCE 24's Clovis Casali and Claire Paccalin report. Ukraine Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Back From The Dead: Ukraine Unveils Ruse On Death Of Anti-Putin Neo-Nazi Militia Leader He was the right-wing Russian commander of a notorious Ukrainian-backed paramilitary group, whose cross-border raids in 2023 rattled Russian officials. Denis Nikitin’s leadership of the Russian Volunteer Corps put him the cross-hairs of Russian officials. So when reports emerged last week that he had been killed in a drone attack in eastern Ukraine, Russian war bloggers and nationalist commentators were eager to dance on his grave. Afghanistan Afghanistan International: Residents Clash With Taliban Members Over Gold Mining Operation In Takhar Residents of a district in northern Afghanistan clashed with Taliban members on Friday after a Taliban-linked company moved into a residential area to begin gold mining operations, local sources told Afghanistan International. The incident took place in Chah Ab district of Takhar province, where Taliban forces and personnel connected to a gold mining company entered the area to launch an extraction operation. Several people on both sides were injured, according to the sources. Afghanistan International: Taliban Spokesperson Warns Pak Against Seeking Control Over Taliban Rule Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s chief spokesperson, has warned Pakistan against attempting to dominate the Taliban, saying the group makes its decisions independently and is not dependent on Islamabad. Mujahid said claims that the Taliban operates under Pakistan’s influence were the result of what he described as “20 years of propaganda”. He said the Pakistani military had expected the Taliban, after returning to power, to govern in line with Islamabad’s wishes. Gaza Strip/West Bank Jerusalem Post: Palestinian father reveals how Hamas manipulates Gazan teens to join terror ranks – interview While Israel and the US continue to insist on the need for Hamas to disarm, the terror group is reasserting control in parts of the Gaza Strip by recruiting new members to its military wing and civilian institutions. A Palestinian father, referred to as Mustafa for security reasons, said that Hamas has been offering cash to teenagers to tempt them to join the group. Speaking to The Jerusalem Post, he described how Hamas tried to recruit his 16-year-old son in central Gaza. Jerusalem Post: PA condemns ‘Judaization project’ after Israel takes over planning for Tomb of the Patriarchs After the Hebron municipality repeatedly refused requests to construct a canopy above the Jewish prayer area at the Tomb of the Patriarchs, the Civil Administration on Wednesday confirmed it would assume planning authority and install a roof over the courtyard. The administration said the decision was taken from the municipality due to Hebron’s “ongoing refusal” to approve the project, while stressing that the existing status quo at the Tomb of the Patriarchs would remain unchanged and that prayer arrangements would not be affected. The Media Line: Hamas Turns to Internal Elections as Pressure Mounts on Its Leadership Hamas is set to hold elections for a new political bureau, movement sources say, as it faces unprecedented challenges. The Florida summit between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has increased pressure on Hamas’ leadership and narrowed its remaining room to maneuver. Jordan Times of Israel: Jordan bars imams from holding prayers in memory of slain Hamas spokesperson Jordan’s ministry of Islamic affairs issues a message to imams in the country barring them from holding prayers in memory of Hamas’s spokesperson and other leaders, who the terror group confirmed were killed by Israel earlier this week. Iran Wall Street Journal: Iranian Protesters Killed as Unrest Turns Violent on Fifth Day Violence erupted between Iranian protesters and police during unrest on Thursday, leaving at least five dead on the fifth day of demonstrations over the country’s economic crisis. Three people were killed during a demonstration outside a police station in Lorestan Province in western Iran, according to Fars news agency, which is affiliated with the paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Another two people were killed during a protest near the governor’s residence in Lordegan, another western Iranian province, Fars said. Israel Jerusalem Post: Katz instructs IDF to prepare to resume combat in Gaza as Hamas refuses to disarm Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF to prepare for the possibility of returning to intense fighting against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, Walla learned on Friday. The security establishment clarified that no instructions have been received from the political echelons to prepare for reopening the Rafah Border Crossing. Times of Israel: Israel asked Qatar to boost financial assistance to Gaza a month before Oct. 7 — report Israel asked Qatar to increase the financial assistance it was giving to Gaza one month before the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, massacre, the Yedioth Aharonoth daily reported Friday. In September 2023, Israeli officials met at a Jerusalem hotel with Mohammed al-Emadi, the Qatari envoy to Gaza, who oversaw the delivery of hundreds of millions of dollars in cash from Qatar to Gaza between 2018 and 2021, the report said. There, they asked him to increase the amount of fuel purchased from Egypt by Doha for the benefit of Gaza’s Hamas government. Times of Israel: Netanyahu: ‘Handful of kids’ not from West Bank behind rising settler violence Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu downplayed rising settler violence on Tuesday, asserting to US media that only “a handful of kids” who are not from the West Bank were responsible for the attacks on Palestinians. “When they’re talking about it, they’re talking about a handful of kids,” Netanyahu said in an interview with Fox News during his trip to the US, referring to “bloated” media coverage of the violence. Lebanon Times of Israel: IDF strikes Hezbollah Radwan Force training site, weapons depots in southern Lebanon The Israel Defense Forces announced on Friday that it had carried out strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, including a training compound used by the terror group’s elite Radwan Force. According to the IDF, the site was used to train operatives for planning and carrying out attacks against Israeli forces and civilians, including live-fire drills and weapons training. The military said it also struck additional Hezbollah structures used to store weapons in recent periods. Naharnet: PLO hands over fifth batch of heavy weapons at Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp The handover of Palestinian weapons resumed Tuesday as the Palestine Liberation Organization surrendered a fifth batch of heavy weapons at the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in the southeastern outskirts of the port city of Sidon. During a visit to Beirut in May, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun agreed that weapons in Lebanon's Palestinian camps would be handed over to the Lebanese authorities. Syria Arab Weekly: Syria stops suicide-bomber, says ISIS planned New Year’s Eve attacks on churches Syria said on Thursday a suicide bomber who killed a security forces member in Aleppo on New Year’s Eve belonged to the Islamic State (ISIS) extremist group, which planned attacks on churches and gatherings. ISIS recently increased its attacks in areas of Syria controlled by the Damascus authorities, and was blamed for an attack last month in Palmyra that killed three Americans. Turkey Euro News: Turkey arrests scores of suspects in another country-wide raid on Islamic State extremists Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the detention of 125 suspects in operations across 25 provinces against the so-called IS terrorist group. Turkish forces detained 125 suspected so-called Islamic State group (IS) members in coordinated operations across 25 provinces Wednesday, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced. Yemen Reuters: Yemen's Saudi-backed government launches operation against UAE-backed separatists Yemen's Saudi-backed government launched an operation to take back military positions from the UAE-backed southern separatists on Friday and said it had reclaimed one of the largest military camps in Hadramout province. The operation in Hadramout marks the latest escalation in Yemen, where a rift between Gulf powers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who back opposing sides, has been playing out since December. France 24: Yemen separatists warn of ‘existential’ war after Saudi air strikes in Hadramawt UAE-backed separatists in Yemen said Friday they are fighting a “decisive and existential” war against Islamists and al Qaeda extremists backed by Saudi Arabia. The comments came after the Saudi-backed governor of Hadramawt announced a “peaceful operation” to retake positions seized last month by the Southern Transitional Council (STC). The remarks followed Saudi air strikes on an STC military camp in the province, an official said. Pakistan Reuters: Pakistan court sentences journalists to life over links to protests after Imran Khan’s arrest A Pakistani anti-terrorism court sentenced eight journalists and social media commentators on Friday to life imprisonment in absentia after convicting them of terrorism-related offences linked to online activity in support of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. The convictions stem from cases registered after violent protests on May 9, 2023, when Khan’s supporters attacked military installations following his brief arrest. Since then, the government and military have launched a sweeping crackdown on Khan’s party and dissenting voices, using anti-terrorism laws and military trials to prosecute hundreds accused of incitement and attacks on state institutions. Australia Canberra Times: White supremacist flyers don't break laws in the capital but spark police investigations interstate The flyers triggered at least two police probes on New Year's Eve, days after they began appearing in letterboxes in Wollongong and Newcastle. A NSW Police spokeswoman confirmed officers from Wollongong and Newcastle City police districts were investigating reports of "offensive flyers", distributed two weeks after the anti-Semitic terrorist attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach on December 14. Homeland Security Today: Brisbane Imam Urges Muslims to ‘Eradicate’ Extremism in Powerful Sermon A prominent imam has publicly urged Muslims to take action against any extremists hidden in their community following the Bondi terror attack. Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, murdered 15 people and injured at least 40 others when they opened fire on dozens of Jewish families celebrating Hanukkah. The Nightly: Extremist graffiti on police radar as nation grapples with Bondi attack fallout An extremist slogan graffitied on a suburban Canberra fence is on the radar of police as the nation grapples with the fallout of the terror attack in Bondi nearly three weeks ago. The misspelled tag “global jhiad” was sprayed in white paint on the grey metal fence at least a week ago, on top of other graffiti already on the Chifley property. An ACT Policing spokesman said officers would always assess “this type of material” when reported “and will not hesitate to investigate when criminality is identified”. Technology Fox News: TikTok Shop listing of swastika necklace marketed as ‘bold’ and ‘stylish’ sparks outrage TikTok Shop was selling a swastika pendant necklace that was allegedly pushed to users through targeted ads. The now-deleted listing for the necklace described it as a "bold" and "stylish" piece. "Hiphop titanium steel pendant, bold, stylish, and simple swastika symbol, trendy and unique pendant necklace, suitable for both boys and girls, trendy and niche," the original description read. It also noted that a number of necklaces had been sold. Cyber News: “Tinder for Nazis” hit by 100GB data leak, thousands of users exposed An investigative journalist has infiltrated the white supremacist dating website WhiteDate and exfiltrated over 8,000 profiles and 100GB of data. Photos and other sensitive details have been made public, and the full “WhiteLeaks” data is available to journalists and researchers on DDoSecrets. An “old-school anarchist researcher,” who goes by the online pseudonym Martha Root, claims to have breached a racist dating site and two similar platforms. The Print: How Gen-Z is changing the violent extremist landscape online The violent extremist landscape that has emerged today is due to the decentralisation and democratisation of the digital domain, and its access to Gen-Z (born between 1997 and 2012) teenagers. While many Gen-Z extremists have displayed tendencies of ideological fluidity, some, after prolonged radicalisation, have also displayed Islamist, neo-Nazi, or hybrid ideological worldviews. This demographic has dramatically altered the violent extremism landscape by tapping into expansive digital platforms, including social media, gaming ecosystems and encrypted chat forums. 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. Counter Extremism Project (CEP) | PO Box 3980 | New York, NY 10185 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice