Eye on Extremism: August 5, 2026
Top Stories
CNN: Trump says Hormuz deal could be imminent but Iranian media dampens hopes of breakthrough
President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened “very soon” or Iran would be “hit very hard.” However, Iranian state media today reported that any potential agreement between Iran and Oman on the future of the critical waterway has “no connection” to its reopening.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel will not withdraw from its current lines in Gaza until Hamas has completely disarmed and pushed back on a recent deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
CEP Mentions
BR24: Drone at Leipzig Airport was equipped with "explosive device"
An incident involving a drone occurred at Leipzig/Halle Airport. According to a NATO spokesperson, the aircraft was sighted near a Ukrainian aircraft – an Antonov transport plane – during the night. "Everything points to it being a hybrid Russian operation," terrorism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler of the transatlantic think tank Counter Extremism Project told BR. However, he emphasized that this has not yet been officially confirmed.
iNews: Putin is losing his battle with ‘Russia’s Zuckerberg’ – and being openly mocked
The Kremlin has charged Telegram's founder with assisting terrorism - after years of its own agents using the app to recruit spies and terrorists. Joshua Fisher-Birch, a researcher at the Counter Extremism Project, described Telegram as “one of the most important platforms for sharing terrorist and extremist propaganda”, because of its rare combination of public broadcasting channels, chat groups, secure one-on-one messaging and file sharing capabilities.
Following the Christopher Street Day attack in Berlin, many are calling for stricter measures to combat terrorism. In this interview, expert Hans-Jakob Schindler explains what Germany can learn from other EU countries, what the US is doing better, and why the financial industry should be a role model for social media.
Analysis
Institute for Strategic Dialogue: Five Lessons from the Islamist Extremist Attack on Berlin Pride
Germany has experienced 17 Islamist terrorist attacks since 2016, resulting in 24 deaths. Since the October 7 attacks and the subsequent Israel-Hamas war, there have been 7 completed attacks and numerous foiled plots in Germany. Previous ISD assessments have found that a double-digit number of these attacks/plots were linked to supporters of IS.
United States
New York Times: Judge Pained as He Grants Dismissal of Jan. 6 Charges Against Oath Keepers
Federal judge Amit P. Mehta expressed deep regret on Tuesday as he granted a request by the Justice Department to throw out criminal charges against eight members of the far-right Oath Keepers militia who were charged with seditious conspiracy for the central role they played in the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
News Tribune: Puyallup man sentenced for drug trafficking tied to white supremacist gangs
According to a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office, 44-year-old Daniel Hammond was sentenced last week to 11 years after he was convicted in February for conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance. The drug trafficking organization that Hammond aided has connections to white supremacist prison gangs, the release said, including The Aryan Family and Omerta. The gangs were involved in drug trafficking and money laundering, the release said, and sold methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin and cocaine throughout the region.
Germany
A Hamburg court on Wednesday convicted and sentenced seven members and one supporter of the right-wing extremist group “Last Defense Wave” to prison on charges including being members or supporters of a terrorist organization, attempted murder, arson and aggravated assault. They were found to have planned and carried out arson and bomb attacks on asylum seeker shelters and left-wing facilities, as well as alleged to have engaged in so-called “pedo-hunting” — hunting down people they believed to be pedophiles.
CNN: Flying object hits plane at German airport after discovery of drone carrying explosive device
An unidentified flying object hit a a cargo plane at a German airport on Wednesday, as the discovery of a drone carrying an explosive device caused disruption and the suspension of flights. Following the discovery of the explosive device, German state prosecutors have now taken over the investigation, alongside the Central Office for Extremism Saxony (ZESA) and officers from the Police Terrorism and Extremism Defense Center (PTAZ) counter-terrorism law enforcement unit.
United Kingdom
Antisemitic incidents in the United Kingdom rose 21 percent in the first six months of 2026 compared to the same period last year, reaching the second-highest total on record for the first half of a year, according to a new report by the Community Security Trust.
BBC News: Man went to Somalia 'in attempt to join Isis'
Mohamed Mohamoud, 22, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of preparing acts of terrorism. Mohamoud allegedly used an Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot to help him make contact with the Islamic State group in Somalia in a failed bid to become a martyr.
Reuters: UK Conservatives defend selection of former neo-Nazi as a candidate
The leader of Britain's opposition Conservative Party defended the selection of Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi who had been jailed for hate crimes as a local election candidate, saying on Wednesday that he was rehabilitated and could help fight antisemitism.
BBC News: Ex-MP urges Tories to block council candidate jailed for antisemitic abuse against her
A former Labour MP has said the Conservatives should not allow Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi who was jailed for antisemitic abuse against her, to stand as a local election candidate. Bonehill-Paine was convicted of racially harassing Luciana Berger, who is Jewish, in 2016, while already serving a separate jail sentence for sharing antisemitic posts.
TellMama: How anti-Muslim rhetoric and conspiracies still permeate social media
Anti-Muslim conspiracies permeated across social media following a fire at a historic Leicester church, which the fire service ruled was accidental. Tell MAMA received reports concerning various far-right content pushing anti-Muslim narratives, including an extremist who called for the burning of a local mosque in response. Another post of great concern also suggested setting fire to mosques in response.
Austria
Brussels Signal: Austrian taxpayers fund nearly €400,000 study on ‘right-wing extremism in fashion’
Almost €400,000 of Austrian taxpayers’ money has been committed to a three-year research project at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna examining how right-wing extremism is expressed through fashion. Researchers are studying clothes ranging from classic skinhead aesthetics to contemporary “Tradwife”, “Old Money”, polo shirts and streetwear which are allegedly used to spread ideology, build networks and normalize extremism.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan International: Member States Are Not Seeking To Recognise Taliban, Says UN
Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said there was currently no movement among member states towards recognizing the Taliban. The United Nations continues to refer to the Taliban as Afghanistan’s “de facto authorities.” UN member states and international organizations have repeatedly said recognition would depend on the formation of an inclusive government, respect for human rights, particularly the rights of women and girls, and serious action against terrorism.
Amu TV: Taliban detain nine women in Herat in two days: Sources
Taliban morality enforcers have detained at least nine women in the western city of Herat over the past two days, local sources and residents said on Wednesday, in what they describe as a renewed campaign to enforce the Taliban’s dress code and public conduct restrictions. Sources said the women were wearing Islamic head coverings at the time of their arrests but were nevertheless taken into custody and questioned by Taliban morality enforcers.
Afghanistan International: Taliban Commander Warns Opponents Of Renewed Suicide Attacks
Abdul Hakim Mohammad Nezami, deputy commander of the Taliban’s 201 Khalid bin Walid Army Corps, has warned that members of the group are again prepared to carry out suicide operations amid increased activity by armed opposition groups. The Taliban military official also verbally attacked Pakistan, accusing the country of once again seeking to undermine the Taliban government.
Bulgaria
DPA: Bulgarian police probe alleged neo-Nazi threats against Jewish teens
Bulgarian police have launched an investigation after a group of Jewish teenagers from Italy were allegedly threatened by neo-Nazis outside their hotel. Victor Fadlun, president of Rome's Jewish community, had earlier shared a report on X alleging that neo-Nazis shouted the Nazi-era slogan "Sieg Heil" outside the hotel on Sunday. A video showed a group wearing black T-shirts performing Nazi salutes.
Israel
i24 News: Netanyahu rejects Board of Peace's plan for IDF to withdraw back to Yellow Line in Gaza
Prime Minister Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel has not agreed to the Board of Peace's Gaza disarmament proposal, despite Hamas accepting the framework last week. In his first public comments on the proposal, Netanyahu said in a video posted to Facebook that Israel would not withdraw its forces from their current positions in Gaza until Hamas is "completely disarmed."
Lebanon
The IDF has begun a wave of precise strikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Wednesday after, for the first time since June, issuing an evacuation warning for civilians present in the area of the strikes.
West Bank
Haaretz: IDF Launches 'Large-scale Operation' in Palestinian Refugee Camp
Raids and arrests come as Defense Minister Katz announced last week that he had instructed the IDF to prepare for the takeover of another refugee camp in the West Bank and the expulsion of its Palestinian residents.
Jerusalem Post: Netanyahu’s government is accused of fueling West Bank violence - opinion
As Netanyahu’s tenure draws to a close, his record is one of internal division, international isolation, and the worst security catastrophe in the country’s history.
Iran
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday that Tehran would support any initiative or decision taken by Palestinian leaders in ongoing indirect negotiations between terrorist group Hamas and Israel, Iranian state media reported.
Spain
New Arab: Spanish far-right figure sparks outrage with Nazi salute outside Morocco embassy
Far-right activist Isabel Medina Peralta, a prominent face of Spain’s neo-Nazi movement, has once again thrust herself into the spotlight after performing a Nazi salute outside Morocco’s embassy in Madrid, days after a Spanish court upheld her one-year prison sentence for hate speech against Moroccan and Muslim immigrants.
Syria
In an extensive interview on Al Jazeera’s The Interview, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa offered a detailed account of Syria’s ongoing political transition, his own ideological evolution, and the shift from fragmented insurgent governance toward a consolidated state model. His remarks provide insight into the strategic thinking guiding Damascus during a critical phase of institutional reconstruction.
MEO: SDF says integration into Syrian army progressing in stages
The integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syria’s army is moving forward through a series of defined stages, with military leaders already appointed within the framework of the process, a spokesperson for the Kurdish-led force said on Tuesday.
Middle East Eye: Why Syria will not join the fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon
The issue of what role Damascus could play regarding Hezbollah has returned to the forefront, amid a flurry of recent high-level statements. On Tuesday, the Lebanese movement has - for the first time - publicly expressed its willingness to hold talks with Damascus.
Pakistan
Kabul Tribune: Pakistan Says It Shot Down Taliban Drone, Rejects Afghan Strike Claims
Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said a rudimentary drone allegedly launched by Afghanistan's Taliban rulers entered Pakistani airspace and was shot down by the country's air defense system, rejecting Taliban claims that they had carried out strikes against Islamic State group targets inside Pakistan.
Afghanistan International: US & Pakistan Reaffirm Joint Fight Against Terrorism
The United States and Pakistan have reaffirmed their commitment to stronger cooperation on counterterrorism, border security and dismantling networks that support extremist groups. In their joint statement, the United States and Pakistan stressed their determination to confront groups that threaten the safety of their citizens and regional stability. The statement said the two countries would combat groups including Islamic State Khorasan Province, al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the Balochistan Liberation Army and its affiliated branches.
Africa
Africa Defense Forum: Control of Gold Mines Fuels Sahel Terrorism
In the Sahel, mining and terrorist groups have gone hand in hand for years. Armed groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State have exploited natural resources, gold in particular, to fund their activities. Expanding into new territories with more mining communities creates a vicious circle of violence and profit that continues to spin and grow.
Africa Defense Forum: Female Guides Work to Reverse Radicalization in Mauritania
As terror groups from the Sahel encroach on coastal West African states, Mauritania has remained relatively peaceful. Analysts say Mauritania’s use of trained and certified Islamic female spiritual guides are a critical component of the country’s peacekeeping approach. Known as mourchidates, these women are certified by the state and deployed into prisons, schools, youth centers, hospitals and mosques, where they speak with young men and women about faith.
Australia
Anti-weapons protesters who allegedly vandalised a defence manufacturer and set nearby vehicles alight could face life imprisonment after police said the incident was being investigated as an act of terrorism by “far-left extremists motivated by anarchist and revolutionary ideologies.”
ABC News (Australia): Former neo-Nazi shares deradicalisation journey at antisemitism inquiry
A reformed neo-Nazi says he cut ties with an extremist organisation after realising he was being sold a "load of lies", the antisemitism royal commission has heard. The man, who cannot be identified, was called to give evidence about his deradicalisation at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion on Wednesday.
On July 5 last year, an anonymous five-person cell allegedly committed an attack at Lovitt Technologies – a Victorian defence manufacturer. Now, Australian authorities have announced they are investigating it as a possible act of far-left terrorism, “motivated by anarchist and revolutionary ideology”. News reports suggest it is the first time a left-wing attack has been investigated as a potential act of terror, and it may pose a growing risk in Australia.
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