Although the proceedings were complex and required considerable resources, they led to a thorough investigation in many places. This includes groundbreaking decisions such as the first conviction of an IS returnee for genocide against the Yazidis (Section 6 of the International Criminal Code (VstGB)). Compared to other European countries, Germany has done a good job here, especially in international criminal law, according to extremism researcher Sofia Koller from the Counter Extremism Project in an interview with LTO.

On February 4, CEP researchers located a 35-page guide from the pro-ISIS online group Al-Saqri Foundation, regarding the basic principles and handling of explosives, building a home explosives laboratory, and specifically calling for acts of terrorism. Mega.Nz removed the manual after CEP reported it, but a page on JustPaste.It advertising the manual and an Al-Saqri Telegram bot were both still online five days after they were reported.

Analyst Sofia Koller of the international think tank Counter Extremism Project (CEP) has long pointed to the poor prison conditions, the risk of re-radicalization, and potential prison escapes. "Germany must finally take responsibility for its citizens and bring the remaining individuals back to Germany to stand trial," says Koller. This would send a strong international signal for the rule of law.

“Tomasz Szkatulski is known as the founder of a far-right clothing brand, and is linked to the Nazi organization Blood and Honour, which is classified as a terrorist organization in Canada and banned in Germany. By participating in King of the Streets on at least five occasions, he has reached an audience of millions. Among other things, he is seen fighting on a busy bicycle bridge – in central Gothenburg. Alexander Ritzmann, an expert on right-wing extremism at the Counter Extremism Project, believes that Szkatulski is using King of the streets as a platform to expose himself and his brand.”

CEP senior research analyst Sofia Koller talks to BR about German men, women, and children who are still in Syria.

How does the drone attack on an American aircraft carrier fit into this precarious situation? "The Iranian regime wants to send two messages. Domestically: 'We are strong.' And internationally: 'We can also defend ourselves,'" explains Middle East expert Hans-Jakob Schindler, director of the Counter Extremism Project, in an interview with the Frankfurter Rundschau by Ippen.Media. In this tense situation, however, it's playing with fire: "It already has the potential to be suicidal. Or to put it another way: One has to ask whether they've lost their minds," says Schindler. "Flying a drone that close is quite clearly a provocation."

In Iran, leading reformist politicians were arrested following mass protests. The regime is resorting to repression while the economic crisis continues. “The only option is to keep people off the streets by applying pressure,” says [CEP Senior Director] Hans-Jakob Schindler, Iran expert, on WELT TV.

A call to Sofia Koller. She is observing the Munich trial for the Counter Extremism Project, an NGO that attempts to disrupt the financial flows of extremist groups. In recent years, Koller has followed a number of ISIS trials, including those involving women defendants. And she noticed a pattern when the treatment of female slaves was discussed. "When it came to gaining an advantage for themselves, the women often accepted the female slaves, sometimes even approving of their purchase," because the slaves did the housework. But also because, unlike a second wife, they posed no competition.

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schinler quoted about Vulkangruppe and left-wing extremism in Germany.

The main issue from the US perspective is the Iranian nuclear program: Washington wants to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. However, Iran is systematically complicating the negotiations, says Middle East expert Hans-Jakob Schindler, director of the Counter Extremism Project, in an interview with this newsroom. "First, they change the location from Istanbul to Oman. Then they announce that they explicitly do not want to discuss their missile program. The regime is a master at negotiating in such a way as to avoid reaching an agreement if possible."