Email from Counter Extremism Project (CEP) Damascus Government Factions Declares Kurdish Districts of Aleppo a Military Zone as Fighting Intensifies Eye on Extremism January 7, 2026   Top Stories Associated Press: Iran army chief threatens preemptive attack over ‘rhetoric’ targeting country after Trump’s comments Iran’s army chief threatened preemptive military action Wednesday over the “rhetoric” targeting the Islamic Republic, likely referring to U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that if Tehran “violently kills peaceful protesters,” the United States “will come to their rescue.” The comments by Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami come as Iran tries to respond to what it sees as a dual threat posed by Israel and the United States, as well as the protests sparked by its economic woes that have grown into a direct challenge to its theocracy. Kurdistan24: Damascus Government Factions Declares Kurdish Districts of Aleppo a Military Zone as Fighting Intensifies The Damascus government factions declared Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh military zones, triggering heavy fighting, civilian casualties, mass displacement, and strong reactions from Kurdish leaders and rights groups.   Enduring Music: Compositions from the Holocaust will bring works nearly erased by atrocity into public consciousness, played again in remembrance of victims of the Shoah and in defiance of contemporary antisemitism. The program will include one world and several U.S. premiere performances from Maestro Francesco Lotoro’s archive, honoring and bringing to life music composed in the unimaginable conditions of the death camps. In Concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts January 27, 2026 | 7:30pm Tickets now available here.   CEP Mentions BR 24: Hamas in Germany: How hate preachers find a platform The mosque stated that it was unaware of the problematic statements made in previously released videos. Experts like Hans-Jakob Schindler of the research organization "Counter Extremism Project" remain baffled: "I have no understanding of why anyone would give a platform, either in person or on video, to someone who condones terrorist attacks." Welt: Why the fall of Maduro is really putting Iran under pressure “For years, Venezuela has been one of Hezbollah’s key hubs for laundering drug money,” says Hans-Jakob Schindler, head of the Counter Extremism Project think tank. The cocaine mostly originates in Colombia and is smuggled through Venezuela to Europe and North America. Deutschlandfunk: Hamas in Germany: Support for the terrorist group is growing. CEP Senior Director Hans-Jakob Schindler speaks on Hamas’s structures in Germany. ARD/BR: Hamas in Germany: How hate preachers and extremists find a platform. CEP Senior Director Hans-Jakob Schindler speaks on Hamas’s structures in Germany. MOZ.de: Are attacks in Germany too easy? An expert explains. CEP Senior Director Hans-Jakob Schindler speaks on the terror attack against electricity infrastructure in Berlin. Analysis Jerusalem Post: Aliyah event protest is the first real test for Mamdani administration – analysis Newly sworn-in New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faces the first real test of his administration's protection of Jewish residents on Wednesday, as anti-Israel activists are set to protest against an Israeli immigration aid event in Manhattan. The Palestinian Assembly for Liberation – Al Awda New York and New Jersey (PAL-Awda NY/NJ) announced that it is going to protest a Nefesh B'Nefesh “NBN on Tour” event. Naharnet: 'Neither Gaza nor Lebanon': Iranian unrest is about more than economy A familiar slogan has echoed through the streets of various Iranian cities in recent days: "Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, I sacrifice my life for Iran." That phrase has been chanted at protests that have sprung up around Iran since Dec. 28, 2025. The spark of the uprising and bazaar strikes has been economic hardship and government mismanagement. But as an expert of Iranian history and culture, I believe the slogan's presence signals that protests go deeper than economic frustration alone. When people in Iran chant "Neither Gaza nor Lebanon," they are, I believe, rejecting the theocratic system in Iran entirely. In other words, the current crisis isn't just about bread and jobs, it's about who decides what Iran stands for. United States Jerusalem Post: Twenty five US states file brief against AMP, NSJP for providing material support to Hamas on Oct 7 A coalition of 25 US states filed a legal brief (amici curiae) against American Muslims for Palestine and National Students for Justice in Palestine over their role in providing material support to Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. Amici curiae, or “friends of the court,” are non-parties to a lawsuit who are permitted to provide information to assist in the legal proceedings, usually through filing an amici brief. Jerusalem Post: Jews targeted in NYC hate crimes more than all other groups combined for second year New York City Jews were the target of more hate crimes than all other categories combined in 2025, according to the New York City Police Department. NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Tuesday announced crime reductions that included a 12% decrease in hate crimes and a 3% reduction in antisemitic incidents, but for the second year in a row, there were more anti-Jewish incidents than other target groups combined. Berkeleyside: Federal judge rules new law on antisemitism in California can go forward ahead of trial A federal court judge in San Jose has denied a preliminary injunction that four teachers and others sought to stop a new state law intended to blunt rising antisemitism in California public schools. The teachers argued that the new law will chill their right to teach the Palestinian perspective of the conflict in Gaza and the Middle East. As a result of U.S. District Judge Noël Wise’s 22-page ruling on Wednesday, Assembly Bill 715 went into effect Jan. 1. Queen City News: Mint Hill teen accused of ISIS-inspired attack to appear in federal court A Mint Hill teenager accused of planning a violent attack in the name of ISIS is set to appear before a federal judge. FBI officials said agents stopped an alleged plan to stab up to 21 people on New Year’s Eve. The suspect, 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant, is due in court on Wednesday. Press-Telegram: Long Beach man agrees to plead guilty to sending cash to ISIS, possessing a bomb A Long Beach man has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges alleging he sent payments to ISIS and possessed a homemade bomb inside his home, according to court papers obtained Tuesday. Mark Villanueva, 29, will enter his plea on Jan. 26 in downtown Los Angeles to one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm — namely the homemade bomb, his plea agreement states. Jewish Telegraphic Agency: Pardoned Jan. 6 protester Jake Lang throws chocolate coins, Nazi salute during anti-AIPAC demonstration in DC Pardoned Jan. 6 protester Jake Lang staged an antisemitic demonstration on Sunday outside of the headquarters of the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC where he threw chocolate coins and gave a Nazi salute. As he stood before a banner reading “Make Jerusalem Christian Again,” Lang made a series of threats against AIPAC-funded politicians and peddled a slew of antisemitic tropes, including the Great Replacement Theory, which holds that Jews are orchestrating mass immigration. Canada The Suburban: Crackdown on terror symbols urged B’nai Brith is pressing the federal Parliament to pass Bill C-9, the Combating Hate Act, after a New Year’s Eve anti-Israel rally in Montreal that the organization says contained pro-terrorist propaganda. If passed by Parliament, Bill C-9 will create “an additional Criminal Code offence for the wilful promotion of hatred using terrorist symbols.” CHVN 95.1 FM: Antisemitic graffiti found on Kelvin High School days after synagogue targeted There's growing concern after antisemitic graffiti was discovered on the exterior of Kelvin High School, just days after a local synagogue was similarly targeted. The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg says a swastika was spray-painted on the school Tuesday. Canadian Jewish News: ‘We need people to come forward’: Police update Winnipeg synagogue’s antisemitic graffiti case The red swastikas and hateful tags that were spray painted on the front doors of Winnipeg’s Shaarey Zedek synagogue early on Jan. 2, 2026, have been mostly cleaned off the building’s front doors, less than a week later. But Winnipeg police say the suspected hate crime is affecting not only the Jewish community, but the city as a whole. And it’s prompted them to call on residents to take a stand against hate, report suspicious activity, and refrain from acting as vigilantes. France Politico: Marine Le Pen attends funeral of movie (and far-right) icon Brigitte Bardot French far-right chief Marine Le Pen was one of the few politicians to attend movie legend Brigitte Bardot’s funeral on Wednesday. Le Pen was spotted by French media arriving at a Catholic church in Saint-Tropez, southern France, where Bardot spent most of her later years before she died on Dec. 28. Germany EuroNews: German prosecutors launch terrorism probe into far-left attack behind Berlin blackout German federal prosecutors on Tuesday launched an investigation on terrorism charges into an arson attack on high-voltage cables that caused a power blackout impacting 45,000 Berlin households. The service said it was probing the January 3 attack — claimed online by a far-left extremist group — on charges including "membership in a terrorist organisation, sabotage, arson and disruption of public services". Jerusalem Post: 'They chose the wrong person': German antisemitism commissioner speaks out after arson attack A nighttime arson attack over the weekend on the home of Andreas Büttner, the State of Brandenburg’s commissioner for combating antisemitism, marked a chilling escalation in Germany’s ongoing struggle against rising antisemitism. Speaking to The Jerusalem Post, Büttner recounted how he awoke shortly after 3:20 a.m. to the sound of shattering glass. He had fallen asleep in a chair downstairs rather than in his bedroom – a turn of events he now describes as lifesaving. DPA: AfD politician on trial over Nazi song played at his birthday party A controversial member of the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party accused of incitement to hatred and money laundering appeared in court on Wednesday on the first day of his trial. Daniel Halemba, a member of Bavaria's state parliament, faces a slew of charges, including over a banned song that promotes the expulsion of migrants from Germany that was allegedly played at his birthday party. Poland Reuters: TikTok removes videos by Polish far-right politician after hate speech complaint TikTok has removed six videos posted by a Polish far-right politician best known for provoking international outrage by using a fire extinguisher on Hanukkah candles in the country's parliament, an anti-racism organisation said on Wednesday. Once viewed by many Poles as a fringe extremist, Grzegorz Braun has become an increasingly important figure in right-wing politics, with his Confederation of the Polish Crown party regularly polling in double digits. Spain Jerusalem Post: 'El Pais' under fire for saying Maduro trial judge impartial 'despite being Jewish El Pais, Spain's main newspaper, came under fire on Tuesday for reporting that Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who will be presiding over the Maduro trial, is impartial "despite being a prominent member of the Jewish community." Hellerstein is a a 92-year-old Orthodox Jewish judge who was appointed to the federal court nearly three decades ago by Bill Clinton. United Kingdom Jerusalem Post: UK Labour councils could face legal action unless they stop BDS activity Labour councils could face legal action unless they stop boycotting Israeli businesses, UK Communities Secretary Steve Reed has warned. This comes after multiple local authorities voted not to work with firms that they deem to be “complicit in Israeli war crimes, supply arms to Israel, or somehow benefit from activity in the West Bank." Examples are councils in Newcastle, Oxford, and Islington, which have all passed motions in support of the BDS movement. Jerusalem Post: Israelis banned from UK sports arena for their own protection, new evidence suggests Israeli soccer fans were banned from a Birmingham arena in November 2025 for their own safety, according to new evidence revealed on Tuesday during local police's second appearance in front of the British Home Affairs Select Committee. According to the new information, which was the basis for rigorous questioning of the West Midlands Police officers, the Israelis were being protected from "armed" Birmingham locals. The Telegraph: Farage: Police chief should resign over Israeli football fan ban Nigel Farage has called for the resignation of the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police over the decision to ban Israeli fans from an Aston Villa football match. The Reform UK leader accused Craig Guildford of spreading “misinformation” about fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv, who were banned from attending a match at Villa Park in November. Afghanistan Afghanistan International: Taliban Halt Gold Mining Operations In Takhar, Detain Two After Deadly Clashes The Taliban have suspended the operations of a gold mining company in Chah Ab district of Takhar province and detained two people on suspicion of murder following deadly clashes with local residents, a Taliban official said. Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Interior Ministry, told media that mining activities were halted after violence erupted between residents and company personnel. He said one local resident and one company official had been arrested in connection with the killings. Gaza Strip/West Bank Reuters: Israel-backed militia kill two Hamas operatives in Gaza, militia says An Israeli-backed Palestinian militia said on Wednesday it had killed two Hamas operatives in southern Gaza, marking a renewed challenge to Hamas after Israel empowered its rivals in areas under Israeli military control. The armed group, known as the Popular Forces, said in a statement it had carried out a raid in Rafah, killing two Hamas members who refused to surrender and detaining a third. It shared a photo that it said depicted one of the slain men. Jerusalem Post: In coordination with Israel, Hamas renews search for final hostage Ran Gvili in Gaza In coordination with Israel, Hamas again began searching for the remains of the final Gaza hostage, St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili on Wednesday, an Israeli source confirmed to The Jerusalem Post. The search is occurring in Zeitoun, in northern Gaza. The neighborhood is split by the Yellow Line that divides the Strip between Hamas and Israel-controlled territories. Times of Israel: Extremist settlers reportedly stab Palestinian man, ram into another near Ramallah Settlers allegedly stabbed a Palestinian man and rammed a car into another in Ramallah in the West Bank this morning, after which Palestinians in the area set fire to the vehicle, according to Palestinian media outlets. No arrests are reported. Jewish Insider: Gulf states yet to commit personnel to Gaza security force, Gottheimer says Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), who visited Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia over the weekend, said that the Gulf countries have yet to commit personnel to be directly involved in the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, without which the next phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas cannot proceed. Iran Associated Press: Protest-hit Iran warily watches the US after its raid on Venezuela Iran faces a new round of protests challenging the country’s theocracy, but it seems like the only thing people there want to talk about is half a world away: Venezuela. Since the U.S. military seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a longtime ally of Tehran, over the weekend, Iranian state media headlines and officials have condemned the operation. In the streets and even in some official conversations, however, there’s a growing question over whether a similar mission could target the Islamic Republic’s top officials including the supreme leader, 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Reuters: Iran judiciary chief warns no leniency for protesters 'helping enemy' Iran's top judge warned protesters on Wednesday there would be "no leniency for those who help the enemy against the Islamic Republic", while accusing Israel and the U.S. of pursuing hybrid methods to disrupt the country. Tehranremains under international pressure with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to come to the aid of protesters if security forces fire on them, seven months after Israeli and U.S. forces bombed Iranian nuclear sites in a 12-day war. Lebanon Times of Israel: IDF strikes Hezbollah operative in southern Lebanon The IDF says it carried out a strike a short while ago on a Hezbollah operative in the area of southern Lebanon’s Jouaiyya, in response to the terror group’s “continued violations of the ceasefire understandings.” Naharnet: Report: Iran protests may be delaying Israeli attack on Hezbollah After talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened senior security chiefs to “present the understandings reached in Washington and review intelligence efforts, attack planning, and readiness for a possible strike in Lebanon,” Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper has reported. Netanyahu presented “the understandings and agreements reached in Washington regarding the continued freedom of action for Israel across all arenas: Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, Yemen and the West Bank,” it said. Naharnet: Fadlallah slams Rajji as 'militiaman who took part in civil war' Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah on Wednesday lashed out at Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji over the latter’s latest remarks on Hezbollah. “It is clear that as a militiaman who took part in civil war against the Lebanese people, he does not differentiate between his belonging to the (Lebanese Forces’ now-defunct) Military Council and his membership of the Council of Ministers,” Fadlallah said, in response to a reporter’s question. Naharnet: Rajji says army capable of confronting Hezbollah militarily if needed Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji has said that the government’s “top priority” is Hezbollah’s disarmament, noting that the government took six months to reach a firm decision on undertaking this task. “It was late, but the government is committed,” Rajji said in a Zoom interview with The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Naharnet: Aoun tells UN's Lacroix army fully implementing disarmament decision President Joseph Aoun told visiting U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix that Lebanon welcomes any country wishing to maintain forces in the south after UNIFIL's withdrawal in 2027. "These forces will assist the Lebanese army, which will be increasing its personnel in the coming weeks," Aoun said Wednesday after he met Lacroix. Syria Associated Press: Clashes erupt in Aleppo after hundreds flee through corridors opened by Syria’s government Clashes broke out Wednesday in Syria’s northern city of Aleppo after hundreds of people left two predominantly ethnic Kurdish neighborhoods when the military opened two corridors for civilians to leave the area that witnessed deadly violence a day earlier. Kurdistan24: SDF Accuses Damascus Government Factions of Using Civilians as Human Shields in Aleppo The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Internal Security Forces on Wednesday accused Damascus government factions of using kidnapped youths and civilians as human shields during ongoing attacks on the Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods in Aleppo, describing the actions as serious violations of human rights. Jerusalem Post: Damascus declares curfew in Aleppo following clashes with SDF The Ahmed al-Sharaa-led Damascus government declared a curfew in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods in Aleppo from 3 p.m. on Wednesday, state-run Syrian Arab News Agency confirmed. The two areas have been declared a "closed military zone," and the government's statement called onresidents to "stay away from Syrian Democratic Forces personnel." Yemen Associated Press: Yemen’s anti-Houthi council expels separatist leader and says he faces treason charges A council fighting against Yemen’s Houthi rebels said Wednesday that it had expelled the leader of a separatist movement and charged him with treason after he reportedly declined to travel to Saudi Arabia for talks. Pakistan Afghanistan International: Islamabad Does Not Trust Afghan Taliban, Says Pak Defence Minister Pakistan’s defence minister has said Islamabad does not trust the Afghan Taliban, citing their growing ties with India. He warned that Pakistan is prepared to confront both India and the Taliban if required. Speaking to Geo News, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan was concerned about the Taliban’s expanding relationship with New Delhi and was ready to respond to any aggression along both its eastern and western borders. China Reuters: China calls for joint counter-terrorism efforts with Pakistan China is willing to intensify cooperation with Pakistan in fighting terrorism and telecom crime, Wang Xiaohong, China's public security minister, said in a meeting with Pakistan's interior and counter-narcotics minister in Beijing on Wednesday. Efforts should be made to "effectively address various risks and challenges, and jointly safeguard the national security and social stability of both countries," Wang said, according to a statement released by his ministry. Australia Sky News Australia: 'If you practice radical Islamic hatred, you should be deported': Sussan Ley Opposition Leader Sussan Ley discusses radical Islamic extremism within Australia. “If you have listened to the prime minister and his ministers over the last few weeks, they actually haven’t confronted the issue of radical Islamic extremism,” Ms Ley said. “If you practice radical Islamic hatred, if you incite violence, if you glorify terrorism, and you are not an Australian citizen, you will be deported, and if you are an Australian citizen, you will be arrested.” Sky News Australia: Senior Liberal frontbencher says Albanese dragged ‘kicking and screaming’ towards Royal Commission Senior Liberal frontbencher Angus Taylor has questioned why Anthony Albanese has had to be dragged “kicking and screaming” towards a Royal Commission following the Bondi terror attacks. Mr Taylor declared Australians “need answers” as he reiterated calls for a Royal Commission into the Bondi terror attacks. The Chronicle: Judge blocks UK man facing Nazi symbol charges from leaving Australia A UK national who allegedly displayed Nazi symbols publicly and spreading hatred messages online towards Jewish has applied to voluntarily leave Australia. Technology Eurasia Review: AI In Terrorism: Emerging Threats For State Security – Analysis The adoption of technology by terrorists to advance their strategic objectives has remained a core counter-terrorism challenge for the community of states. In the contemporary geopolitical landscape, the diffusion of technology—particularly artificial intelligence (AI)—has the potential to reduce the capabilities gap between terrorist organisations and state-led security mechanisms. Terror groups are increasingly using AI to enhance the sophistication and intensity of attacks, disseminate extremist propaganda, and incite violence. These efforts, in turn, help the terrorist groups gain a competitive edge against innovative counter-terrorism measures led by states. Thus, both existing and potential use of AI open a new frontier of challenges for security-led mechanisms as well as the capacity of the international community of states. Mashable: Twitter/X confirms Nazi content was shown alongside Apple ads. So why is it suing? Twitter/X is suing media watchdog group Media Matters over its Nov. 16 report that the social media platform was displaying major companies' ads alongside Nazi content. The report came just one day after Twitter/X owner Elon Musk endorsed an anti-Semitic conspiracy, prompting huge advertisers such as Apple and Disney to flee. Mashable: TikTok is adding new features to fight antisemitism TikTok is introducing several new permanent features designed to combat Holocaust misinformation and antisemitism, with the announcement coinciding with Holocaust Rememberance Day on Thursday. 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