Email from Counter Extremism Project (CEP) Global News on Extremism and Terrorism Eye on Extremism January 27, 2026   Top Stories Associated Press: World pauses to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day Holocaust survivors, politicians and regular people commemorated International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Tuesday, gathering at events held across Europe to reflect on Nazi Germany’s killing of millions of people. International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed across the world on Jan. 27, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most notorious of the Nazi German death camps. The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2005 establishing the day as an annual commemoration. Jerusalem Post: Over 800 severe antisemitic incidents reported in 2025, 21 Jews murdered, Diaspora Ministry reveals The Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Ministry reported a steep rise in antisemitism and violence against Jews worldwide in 2025 in its interim assessment released on Tuesday, International Holocaust Remembrance Day.   TONIGHT | 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. Francesco Lotoro—world-renowned conductor, composer, and musicologist—and orchestra will premiere pieces from Maestro Lotoro's archive, honoring and bringing to life music composed in the unimaginable conditions of the death camps. Tickets now available here. CEP Mentions Merkur: After the attack in Berlin: Dobrindt offers one million euros for information – Expert: “Massive danger” from the left Investigators are indeed feeling a certain pressure to succeed, believes extremism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler, director of the Counter Extremism Project in Berlin. "The authorities want to deliver results, along the lines of: We need an arrest now," Schindler told the Munich-based newspaper Merkur, published by Ippen.Media. Homeland Security Today: Pro-ISIS RocketChat User Posts Alleged AI Conversation Regarding Explosives Use, Extremist Content Online Reports The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) reports on the methods used by extremists and terrorist groups on the Internet to spread propaganda and incite violence. Last week, CEP researchers found a conversation in a pro-ISIS chatroom, where an individual claimed to have used an AI program to ask the quantity of explosives necessary for a terrorist attack. The same user claimed that using a paid version of the same AI could yield instructions for making explosives. CEP researchers were unable to confirm this in a test of the same AI platform. Analysis Jerusalem Post: Hamas banking on Qatar, Turkey to allow its forces into Gaza peacekeeping force – analysis As the Gaza ceasefire moves forward, there are reports that Hamas would like to see its police integrated into whatever type of new force emerges. This idea would seem to be an obvious non-starter for how to proceed in Gaza, especially as Israel and the Trump administration want Hamas to be disarmed. United States New York Times: Administration Social Media Posts Echo White Supremacist Messaging The posts have referred to neo-Nazi literature, ethnic cleansing and QAnon conspiracies, mused about deporting nearly a third of the U.S. population, and promoted lyrics from an anthem bellowed by the far-right militants of the Proud Boys. Their authors are not on society’s fringe. They are in the offices of the White House and the departments of Homeland Security and Labor, using official government accounts. Jewish Telegraphic Agency: NJ church deletes video of pageant featuring antisemitic character but says critics took it ‘out of context’ A New Jersey church says it is “committed to engaging in dialogue, and teaching others about our heritage” after putting on a Christmas pageant that drew criticism for reflecting antisemitic stereotypes. Insurance Day: US terrorism rates fall as competition heats up Policies with limits of less than $250m saw the steepest reductions, while some renewals recorded price cuts of more than 40%, broker reports. KPTV: White supremacist flyers target Vancouver neighborhood, leaving residents alarmed Neighbors in Vancouver are rattled after flyers supporting white supremacy and rejecting diversity, equity, and inclusion were found at multiple homes. Neighbor Kirston Alvarado said she was shocked to find two flyers at her door spreading anti-DEI hate speech, anti-Semitism, and white supremacy propaganda. WCNC Charlotte: Mint Hill teen accused of ISIS terror plot formally indicted The Department of Justice announced Tuesday that a Charlotte grand jury indicted 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant for reportedly trying to aid ISIS. My News LA: Long Beach Man to Plead Guilty to Sending Cash to ISIS A Long Beach man is expected to plead guilty Tuesday to federal charges alleging he sent payments to ISIS and possessed a homemade bomb inside his home. Mark Villanueva, 29, has agreed to enter a plea 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 deal states. Germany Independent: Germany offers €1 million reward to help catch far-left extremists behind Berlin’s biggest post-war blackout Germany is offering a huge reward for help catching the group behind an attack that left swathes of Berlin in total darkness earlier this month. Some 50,000 people in Berlin’s wealthy southwest were left without power for several days in early January, following an act of suspected sabotage claimed by the far-left extremist Vulkan Group. Agenzia Nova: Germany: AfD leaders investigate meeting with right-wing extremist Martin Sellner Following criticism of the meeting between some politicians of Alternative for Germany (AfD) from Thuringia and Martin Sellner – a leading figure in the Identitarian Movement, classified as a right-wing extremist – the political force's federal executive committee has announced it will launch an investigation. "We learned from the media about the meeting with Sellner in the Thuringian parliament. We couldn't intervene because we knew absolutely nothing about it," said the AfD vice-president. Stephan Brandner. According to reports, “the Federal Executive Committee wants to investigate exactly what happened, who invited whom, and then take a position on the matter.” Ireland Jerusalem Post: Irish PM: Antisemitism in Ireland is 'sobering,' Holocaust education should be increased During a national ceremony for Holocaust Remembrance Day, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin devoted a significant portion of his speech to the findings of the Claims Conference survey published this week. United Kingdom BBC: Man accused of leaving UK to join IS appears in court A 21-year-old accused of leaving the UK to join up with extremists from so-called Islamic State (IS) has appeared in court. Mohammed Mohamoud, of Francombe Grove in Horfield, Bristol, is accused of the preparation of terrorist act, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. Birmingham Live: Far-right extremist tried to use 3D-printer to make sub-machine gun A right-wing extremist who tried to use a 3D printer to make a sub-machine gun has been locked up. Counter terrorism police found a printer in the process of making the penultimate component for a 9mm calibre semi-automatic rifle when they searched Robert Adamski's home. Azerbaijan Jerusalem Post: Three ISIS-K terrorists arrested in plot targeting Israeli embassy in Baku Authorities in Azerbaijan said on Tuesday they had arrested three individuals planning an attack on a foreign embassy in the capital, Baku, at the instructions of Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), the Afghan offshoot of Islamic State. Afghanistan Afghanistan International: Taliban Spent 97 Billion Afghanis On Security In Nine Months, Says World Bank The Taliban administration spent about 96.9 billion afghanis on security in the first nine months of the 2025 fiscal year, according to a new World Bank report. Development expenditure totalled 15.7 billion afghanis, while more than 106 billion afghanis were allocated to civilian sectors and public services, the report said. Afghanistan International: Elon Musk Questions Global Silence Over Taliban Ban On Girls’ Education Elon Musk has criticised what he described as a lack of international protest over the Taliban’s ban on girls’ education in Afghanistan. Musk shared remarks attributed to the Taliban’s higher education minister, Neda Mohammad Nadeem, who said at a press conference last year that even asking questions about the suspension of girls’ education was prohibited until further notice. Musk wrote on X: “Where are the protests about this?” Gaza Strip/West Bank Reuters: Exclusive: Hamas seeks role for its police in Gaza ahead of disarmament talks, sources say Hamas is seeking to incorporate its 10,000 police officers into a new U.S.-backed Palestinian administration for Gaza, sources say, a demand likely to be opposed by Israel as the militant group debates whether to surrender its arms. Islamist group Hamas retains control of just under half of Gaza following an October ceasefire deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement ties further Israeli troop withdrawals to Hamas giving up its weapons. Reuters: US believes Hamas disarmament comes along with some sort of amnesty, US official says The United States believes disarmament by Hamas militants in Gaza comes along with some sort of amnesty for the Palestinian group, a U.S. official said on Monday. The official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, spoke to mark the return of the remains of the last Israeli hostage held by Hamas. Israel and the United States are pressuring Hamas to disarm as part of a plan in which Gaza will be redeveloped. Times of Israel: Trump: Hamas ‘worked hard’ to return body of last hostage; now it must disarm US President Donald Trump said Monday that Hamas helped Israel locate the body of the final Israeli hostage in Gaza, while reiterating his demand for the terror group to disarm. “They worked very hard to get the body back,” Trump said of Hamas in an interview with the Axios news site. “They were working with Israel on it. Now we have to disarm Hamas like they promised,” Trump added. Iran Associated Press: Activists say Iran’s crackdown has killed at least 6,159 people, as the country’s currency plunges Iran’s bloody crackdown on nationwide protests has killed at least 6,159 people while many others still are feared dead, activists said Tuesday, as a U.S. aircraft carrier group arrived in the Middle East to lead any American military response to the crisis. Iran’s currency, the rial, meanwhile fell to a record low of 1.5 million to $1. Reuters: Iran detaining protesters being treated in hospitals as part of crackdown, says UN expert A U.N. expert on Iran said on Monday she had received reports of protesters linked to nationwide demonstrations being removed from hospitals and detained by Iranian security forces - a major violation of the right to medical care under international law. United Nations Special Rapporteur on Iran, Mai Sato, also told Reuters in an interview via video link that families were facing demands for ransoms of $5,000 to $7,000 to retrieve the bodies of loved ones, a crushing burden amid Iran's mounting economic woes. Iraq The National: US counter-terrorism chief in Iraq to support ISIS prisoner transfer America's counter-terrorism chief has spent several days in Baghdad to support the transfer of ISIS detainees from north-east Syria to prisons in Iraq. Joe Kent, director of the US National Counter-terrorism Centre, said he held "highly productive meetings" with Iraqi intelligence and counter-terrorism officials this week. Israel Jerusalem Post: WATCH: IDF releases footage, pictures from Ran Gvili rescue mission The IDF released pictures and videos from Operation Brave Heart, the operation to rescue the body of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili, on Tuesday evening. Times of Israel: Netanyahu: Antisemitism is a ‘battle over the future of civilization’ The fight against antisemitism is a global battle over the future of civilization, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says at a gala event launching the government-sponsored International Conference on Combating Antisemitism. Lebanon Reuters: Hezbollah says Israeli strike killed Al-Manar TV presenter in southern Lebanon The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said on Monday that an Israeli strike in the country's south killed TV presenter Ali Nour al-Din, who worked for the group's affiliated Al-Manar television station. The group said the killing portends "the danger of Israel's extended escalations (in Lebanon) to include the media community". Naharnet: Bassil warns Hezbollah against 'crime' of implicating Lebanon in 'new destruction' Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil on Tuesday strongly criticized Hezbollah in the wake of Sheikh Naim Qassem’s latest remarks about supporting Iran. “The basis of the Memorandum of Understanding (between the FPM and Hezbollah) was to Lebanonize Hezbollah’s choices and weapons through partnership, state building and defending Lebanon,” Bassil said in a post on the X platform. Syria Reuters: US, UK, France, Germany, call for ceasefire adherence in Syria, support political transition Two days after a ceasefire was extended between the Syrian Transitional Government (STG) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the US, UK, France, and Germany have called upon “all parties to strictly adhere to the ceasefire and to exercise their utmost restraint. We urge all external parties to join us in the pursuit of peace and the de-escalation of violence.” Naharnet: Syria thwarts weapons smuggling attempt to Lebanon Damascus thwarted on Monday an attempt to smuggle weapons into Lebanon, state media reported, days after Israel struck several border crossings between the two countries, saying they were used by Hezbollah. The official SANA news agency said security forces intercepted the shipment in a car in the Bureij area, near the border with Lebanon. Turkey Jerusalem Post: Experts warn of Turkey’s role in Gaza after study finds antisemitism, Hamas support in media Some 89% of opinion articles published in two of Turkey’s main media outlets take either a positive or neutral stance toward Hamas, according to a new study by the Jewish People Policy Institute, leaving experts concerned over Ankara’s future role in the Gaza Strip. Yemen Yemen Online: U.S. Drone Strike Targets Al-Qaeda Gathering in Eastern Marib A U.S. drone carried out a heavy airstrike on Sunday evening, targeting a meeting of Al-Qaeda leaders and fighters in the Al-Kharashi area of Wadi Abidah, eastern Marib province. The strike destroyed a house where the gathering was taking place. Congo Reuters: Islamic State‑linked militants kill 22 in eastern Congo, UN report says Islamic State‑linked militants killed at least 22 civilians in a village in eastern Congo's Ituri Province early on Sunday, according to an internal U.N. report and local civil society leaders, the latest in a series of deadly attacks in the region. The U.N. report seen by Reuters said the assailants struck Apakolu, about 25 km (15 miles) northwest of Eringeti in Ituri province’s Irumu territory, at around 0400 GMT on Sunday, and abducted an unknown number of people. Nigeria Reuters: Suspected Boko Haram militants kill seven Nigerian soldiers, capture 13, sources say Suspected Boko Haram militants killed seven Nigerian soldiers and captured 13 others including their commanding officer on Monday in northeastern Borno state, two security sources said. The sources said the troops were on patrol in the Damasak area of Borno around 1400 GMT when they encountered the militants. Seven soldiers were killed in a gun battle, 11 soldiers managed to escape but 13 - including the commanding officer, a major - were captured, they said. Syria Reuters: Syria's Sharaa to meet Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, Syria TV says Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will meet Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in Moscow, pro-government Syria TV reported on Monday. South Sudan Reuters: South Sudan government says rebel advance poses 'serious threat to peace' South Sudan's government urged opposition forces to halt fighting on Tuesday, saying a rebel advance and ongoing clashes that have already caused mass displacement in Jonglei state threatened to reignite civil war. The clashes pitting government forces against fighters loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army‑in‑Opposition (SPLA‑IO) are occurring at a scale not seen since 2017, according to the United Nations. Sudan Reuters: Sudan's army says it breaks siege of southern city, survivors recount hunger and death Sudan's army says it has broken a long siege of the southern city of al-Dalanj by RSF paramilitary forces, during which survivors said many people were killed in drone and artillery strikes as hunger spread and medicines became scarce. One survivor told Reuters that residents had been reduced to eating leaves and animal skin, and that some children had died of hunger. Others said people had died because they could not get the medicines they needed or leave to get treatment. Australia Sydney Morning Herald: ‘Brazen and public incitement’: White nationalist refused bail over alleged antisemitic speech A man will spend at least a week behind bars charged over an allegedly antisemitic tirade at an Australia Day rally in Sydney which he concluded with tributes to neo-Nazi leaders. 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? 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