(New York, N.Y.) — The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) reports weekly on the methods used by extremists and terrorist groups on the Internet to spread propaganda and incite violence. Last week, CEP researchers located posts by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Al-Malahem Media that promoted lone-actor attacks in the U.S., Europe, and Israel.
On RocketChat, CEP located a basic cryptocurrency guide published by the pro-ISIS tech group Qimam Electronic Foundation (QEF). Also, on RocketChat, pro-ISIS online supporters announced the creation of an unofficial Italian language propaganda group.
On X, the neo-Nazi skinhead gang Vinlanders Social Club (VSC) encouraged their followers to seek vengeance following the April killing of a Texas high school student. A Telegram channel that promotes extreme right groups encouraged their subscribers to apply to participate in the bare-knuckle fighting league Streets Fight Club (SFC) as they seek to expand in the U.S. An Active Club movement affiliated Substack posted what appeared to be a new article written by Robert Rundo, the movement’s founder. An individual affiliated with a Central California Active Club chapter promoted the movement by stating they could help with physical self-improvement and finding employment.
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Encourages Lone-Actor Attacks
In a post on April 30, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Al-Malahem Media encouraged lone-actor terrorism in the United States and Europe, portraying it as necessary to support Gaza. Two days before the anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden, the group praised the former al-Qaeda leader for noting that the U.S. should be the primary target because of its position as the “head of the snake.” Posts encouraged using vehicles, knives, firearms, or committing arson and stated that individuals should also travel to Israel to execute attacks. In an attempt to inspire violence, a post noted that the perpetrator of the July 13 attempted assassination of President Donald Trump had more courage than most of AQAP’s audience.
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Al-Malahem Media logo used in the statements. Screenshot taken on May 1.
Pro-ISIS Tech Group Posts Basic Cryptocurrency Guide
On May 1, the pro-ISIS tech group Qimam Electronic Foundation posted a basic guide on cryptocurrency. The guide explained cryptocurrency basics, how it can be mined, what blockchain is, how to use cryptocurrency wallets, and basic safety. The guide noted that crypto is peer-to-peer and can be used to avoid financial institutions and stated that it can also be used in certain situations with high levels of privacy. The guide was posted on PasteThis.To and spread via RocketChat. The guide did not focus on a single cryptocurrency but noted that there were several options.
Pro-ISIS online supporters have previously shared advice regarding the privacy cryptocurrency Monero and recommended using it to pay for services. Pro-ISIS propaganda groups such as ISIS-K-linked Al-Azaim Media and Al Jahaur Media Center have also requested Monero.
In 2025, QEF released guides on using the Telegram app’s comments feature, using the Element messenger platform, and general advice on online artificial intelligence tools.
Image from a QEF post on RocketChat for the cryptocurrency guide. Screenshot taken on May 1.
Online Pro-ISIS Italian Language Propaganda Group Announced
On May 1, an unofficial pro-ISIS Italian language propaganda group, Al-Rum Media, was announced on the RocketChat platform. The channel said they would translate official and unofficial pro-ISIS content into Italian. One of the two channel administrators is also the admin of a German language propaganda group, which was created in January 2025 and has translated ISIS content and celebrated and encouraged lone-actor attacks. Both propaganda groups have a limited range outside of closed pro-ISIS online spaces.
Neo-Nazi Skinhead Gang Advocates Vengeance in New X Account
CEP researchers located an X account affiliated with the neo-Nazi skinhead gang Vinlanders Social Club, which was created in April 2025. The group’s first post on April 29 urged white people to “get in the fight” and “avenge” a white Texas teenager who was fatally stabbed at a track meet. The X account followed an Arizona Active Club chapter and two X accounts affiliated with the American Blackshirts Movement. CEP reported the VSC account on May 1. As of May 5, the account was still online.
Extreme Right Telegram Channel Promotes Bare Knuckle Fighting League
On May 1, a Telegram channel that promotes various extreme right fitness and combat sports groups, including Active Clubs and Patriot Front, urged their followers to apply to participate in Streets Fight Club, a bare-knuckle fighting league that posts fight videos on social media. SFC is looking to expand in the U.S., opening applications online for fighters and advertising a fight event in the Smokey Mountains featuring three individuals affiliated with an Active Club or the Patriot Front jiu-jitsu team. In promotional videos, none of the three references the groups they are members of, nor do they display group symbols. Individuals affiliated with the extreme right may want to participate in combat sports matches shared online to gain prestige within the movement and as a recruitment tactic.
SFC maintains an online presence on YouTube, Instagram, Telegram, and VK. The league’s YouTube channel has over 22,000 subscribers, with a recent event video receiving over 119,000 views. The league’s YouTube page lists Spain as its location. Videos on YouTube show previous fights held in Europe, as well as promotions for upcoming fights in the U.S.
Active Club Movement Affiliated Substack Publishes New Article by Robert Rundo
On May 1, a Substack affiliated with an Active Club brand published an article by Robert Rundo, the movement’s founder. A narrative work, the piece described Rundo evading law enforcement and crossing an unnamed border in the Balkans, where Rundo noted the “irony” if he was shot “while illegally crossing a border by [a] right-wing militia man.” Rundo left the U.S. in 2019 after a California judge threw out rioting charges and traveled in the Balkans, Southeastern, and Central Europe before being arrested in Romania and extradited to the U.S. In December 2024, Rundo was sentenced to two years of time served and two years of supervised release, during which he was ordered to stay away from events and members of his previous group, the Rise Above Movement.
The Active Club Substack was created in January 2025 and had almost 450 subscribers on May 5. Another article on the same Substack written by Rundo, uploaded on April 27, noted that it was authored before his imprisonment. The article shared on May 1 did not include a similar note.
Active Club Chapter Pitches Recruitment Based on Self-Improvement and Training
On April 30, a Telegram channel administrator who is part of the Central California Active Club chapter promoted the group by stating that recruits could be trained in powerlifting, weightlifting, and combat sports such as boxing or jiu-jitsu, as well as assistance with finding a job. The post noted member’s physical fitness and stated that the group was ready to train others and provide encouragement and brotherhood.