Spies and National Security Risks at Twitter

Clarion Project ( [link removed] )

View in browser ( [link removed] )

*********************
The Extremism Roundup
*********************

*Promoting Civil Discourse and Marginalizing the Extremes*
A weekly compilation of the most important developments in the struggle against radical ideologies

------------------
Islamist Extremism
------------------

Muhamad Masood - ISIS supporter ( [link removed] )

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaks during a press conference in Tehran on August 29, 2022 - STR/AFP via Getty Images

*The Two Remaining Obstacles to a New Iran Deal*

*

Iran is demanding that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) investigation into the uranium particles found at several Iranian sites be closed prior to full implementation of the agreement. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that resolving the IAEA investigation issue is a pillar of any nuclear deal and without it, “It is meaningless to talk about an agreement."

* Iran is also demanding guarantees in case of a future U.S. withdrawal from the deal. *Read More ( [link removed] )*
* See Clarion Project's review of the dangers of the new deal *HERE ( [link removed] ).*

*New Mexico Man Arrested for Attempting to Assist ISIS*

*

Herman Leyvoune Wilson, 45, of Albuquerque, N.M. was arrested for attempting to provide material support for ISIS.

* Wilson, also known as Bilal Mu’Min Abdullah, attempted to establish an “Islamic State Center” in New Mexico that would teach ISIS ideology and provide training for individuals preparing to travel and fight on behalf of ISIS.
*

Wilson faces up to 20 years in prison for each count. *Read More ( [link removed] )*

*Man Pleads Guilty to Planning ISIS-Inspired Attack in Queens*

*

Awais Chudhary, 22, pled guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS.

* Chudhary, who was born in Pakistan, pledged his loyalty to ISIS in 2019, began planning an attack on targets in Queens, and sought guidance from ISIS supporters.
*

Chudhary faces up to 20 years in prison. *Read More ( [link removed] )*

*New York Times Again Caught Hiring Openly Antisemitic Freelancers*

*

The New York Times recently terminated its relationship with a Gaza-based journalist, Fady Hanona, for comments supporting Palestinian terrorism and praising Adolf Hitler, following a report by the watchdog group HonestReporting.

*

HonestReporting has uncovered a string of similarly antisemitic posts by two more NYT freelancers. *Read More ( [link removed] )*

------------------------------
Alt-Right & Alt-Left Extremism
------------------------------

Boogaloo Boys hold a rally in Lansing, Mich. ( [link removed] )

Boogaloo Boys hold a rally at the Capitol Building in October 2020 in Lansing, Mich. to distance themselves from the Wolverine Watchmen who plotted to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - Seth Herald/Getty Images

*Two Convicted in Conspiracy to Kidnap Michigan Governor*
---------------------------------------------------------

* A federal jury convicted Adam Fox, of Wyoming, Mich., and Barry Croft Jr., of Bear, Del., in connection with a conspiracy to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
* The individuals were members of a Boogaloo Boi-affiliated militia group called The Wolverine Watchmen.
* Five additional co-conspirators are in court for preliminary hearings for their role in the kidnapping plot. Read More ( [link removed] )

*Armed Antifa Protesters Support Texas Drag Queen Story Hour*
-------------------------------------------------------------

* A group of armed Antifa members came to Roanoke, Texas to show support and act as bodyguards for a “kid-friendly” drag show.
* The local chapter of the Antifa-affiliated militia group known as the Elm Fork John Brown Gun Club led the call to direct action. *Read More ( [link removed] )*

*More News From the Alt-Right*

* Joshua Pruitt, 40, a former Washington, D.C. resident who was in the process of joining the far-right Proud Boys group, was sentenced to serve about 4.5 years in prison for his role in the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. *Read More ( [link removed] )*

*More News From the Alt-Left*

* Video has emerged of black-masked Antifa members harassing street preachers in Portland, Ore. by ripping apart signs, throwing fireworks, and assaulting people at an outdoor market event downtown. *Watch Here ( [link removed] )*

----------
Hate Crime
----------

teen spraying an Orthodox man with a fire extinguisher ( [link removed] )

Video screenshot of teen spraying an Orthodox man with a fire extinguisher - via New York Daily News

* A 14-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with assault as a hate crime for spraying two Orthodox Jewish men in the face with a fire extinguisher and punching one of them in Brooklyn, N.Y. *Read More ( [link removed] )*

* Esmeralda Upton, 58, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault and terroristic threats after she was seen on a cell phone video yelling several racial slurs toward a group of women and hitting multiple women outside a restaurant in Plano, Texas. *Read More ( [link removed] )*

------------------------------------
Hostile Foreign Influence Operations
------------------------------------

Former Twitter Security Chief Peiter Zatko ( [link removed] )

Peiter Zatko - Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Former Twitter Security Chief Alleges Spies on Staff and Critical Cybersecurity Risks
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Twitter's former head of security Peiter Zatko has disclosed to Congress and federal agencies that it is possible that the company has foreign spies on its payroll.
* Zatko's report became public two weeks after a former manager from Twitter was convicted of spying for Saudi Arabia.
* Zatko also said that Twitter is vulnerable to foreign government exploitation in many ways that undermine the national security of the United States. *Read More ( [link removed] )*

*Socialite Unmasked as Russian Spy*
-----------------------------------

* Investigators have unmasked socialite and jewelry designer Maria Adela Kuhfeldt Rivera for being a spy working on behalf of Russia’s GRU foreign intelligence service. Rivera infiltrated NATO by charming and seducing commanders. *Read More ( [link removed] )*

------------------------------
Research & Trends in Extremism
------------------------------

Alex Jones in hearing on Capitol Hill ( [link removed] )

A video of far-right media personality Alex Jones is shown during a full committee hearing on Capitol Hill on July 12, 2022 - SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

The Pros and Cons of Deplatforming Extremists
---------------------------------------------

* A professor at University College of London recently reported on the effects of deplatforming extremists from social media.
* Research shows deplatforming has positive effects of decreasing hateful content from users who stayed active on a platform following the elimination of a hateful group.
* However, as dangerous communities’ footprints became smaller, users would become significantly more extreme. *Read More ( [link removed] )*

Research Shows Sports Keep Youth Away From Radicalization
---------------------------------------------------------

* Researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) highlight the effect that sports have in building resilience against youth involvement in violent extremism.
* A researcher involved in the study said sports programs assist in developing bonds and social ties between young people, making them an ideal method to help move young people away from radicalization. *Read More ( [link removed] )*

QUOTABLE
“The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy—a policy worthy of imitation. ALL possess alike liberty of conscience, and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction—to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection, should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.”

--George Washington

NOTE TO OUR READERS: We have pulled out the salient points of the articles in this newsletter to keep you informed and focused on the most relevant, important and timely news in national security and extremism. While our national security experts stand behind the summary bullets and deem them trustworthy, Clarion Project does not endorse all the views expressed in the articles linked.

*SUPPORT CLARION PROJECT’S VITAL WORK*
Help us create a world unafraid. Make a donation to help us expose extremists who threaten our safety and security. The Clarion Project is a registered 501(c)(3), donations are tax deductible.

DONATE NOW ( [link removed] )

*RECEIVED THIS EMAIL FROM A FRIEND?*
Sign Up to The Extremism Roundup ( [link removed] ) - delivered every Thursday

Fb ( [link removed] ) Tw ( [link removed] ) Yt ( [link removed] )

Copyright © 2022 Clarion Project, All rights reserved.
Clarion Project
2435 North Central Expressway
Suite 1280
Richardson, TX 75080

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences ( [link removed] ) or unsubscribe from this list ( [link removed]- ).