Eye on Extremism: May 22, 2026
Top Stories
Guardian: Uranium and control of strait of Hormuz key as talks to end US-Iran war continue
Future control over the strait of Hormuz and a demand from Washington that Tehran export its stockpile of highly enriched uranium remain key stumbling blocks, as Pakistani mediators continued to seek a permanent ceasefire they believe is still within reach between the US and Iran.
NBC News: San Diego mosque suspects' writings reveal influence of online extremism, experts say
The two teenage suspects in this week’s deadly attack on a San Diego mosque appear to have written a 75-page document replete with neo-Nazi ideology, incel rage and racist meme culture drawn from the darkest corners of the internet.
CEP Mentions
WELT: TRUMP’S GAZA PLAN: Details emerge! Expert reveals how weakened Hamas really is
Middle East expert Hans-Jakob Schindler explains why Hamas continues to survive despite military setbacks and what role the war with Iran plays in this.
Analysis
Guardian: San Diego shooting shows disturbing trend of shooters copying acts of violence
The killing of three men at a San Diego mosque on Monday is the latest example of a disturbing trend in recent decades: hate-motivated shooters learning from – and copying – each other in acts of violence meant to push the nation toward a race war and, ultimately, societal collapse.
Deutsche Welle: Is the US deepening its military involvement in Nigeria?
Airstrikes in Nigeria led by the US have weakened the so-called Islamic State (IS) terror group. The joint operation shows an expanding US role, but analysts warn of limited long‑term impact and civilian risks.
United States
The new Boston Logan airport remote terminal may be more convenient and stress-free for many passengers, but it could be “vulnerable” to security threats and “open another door for terrorists,” former FAA agents tell the Herald.
Associated Press: Republicans call off vote on Iran war resolution that was on the verge of passing
Republicans struggled Thursday to find the votes to dismiss legislation that would compel President Donald Trump to withdraw from the war with Iran, delaying planned votes on the matter into June.
A Jewish woman is suing a white supremacist group over its self-described "European heritage community" near Ravenden, saying they are violating the Arkansas Civil Rights Act and Fair Housing Act by denying her application to build a home there.
Belgium
One of the men convicted over the 2015 Islamist attacks in Paris that killed 130 people has been granted the right to prison leave in Belgium, sparking fierce criticism.
France
France24: Paris: Far-right blamed as football fans riot
Six people were injured, one seriously, after around 100 supporters of Nice football club rioted in Paris on Thursday night ahead of the club’s Coupe de France final clash with Lens on Friday. Paris mayor Emmanuel Grégoire blamed the violence on “far-right” elements among Nice supporters.
Germany
Der Spiegel: Iran is alleged to have planned the assassination of Josef Schuster and Volker Beck
According to information obtained by SPIEGEL, the Federal Prosecutor's Office has filed charges against two men in connection with an alleged series of planned attacks by the Iranian secret service in Germany.
Deutsche Welle: Germany's far-right AfD vows to 'make history'
The AfD looks set to take power in a German state for the first time. In a DW exclusive, the front-runner in Saxony-Anhalt discusses plans to detain immigrants and revamp the school system, and relations with Russia.
Greece
The head of a far-left Greek militant group that killed 23 people — among them industrialists, diplomats and a CIA station chief — has been released from a maximum-security prison, officials said Friday. The decision is now being reexamined by a senior prosecutor.
Italy
Jerusalem Post: Italian teenager re-arrested in Florence for terrorism recruitment
A 15-year-old teenager was re-arrested in Florence for recruiting for the purpose of international terrorism after having previously been arrested for the same crime.
The teen had declared himself “ready to act” and received instructions on how to choose a target for a terror attack in chats with individuals linked to Islamist extremism.
United Kingdom
The Times: ‘Iranian agents’ recruit Britons for protests against Israel
A suspected Iranian intelligence operation is attempting to recruit people in Britain to organise street protests and put up posters intended to foment anti-Israel sentiment, an investigation by The Times has found.
The National: London calling: Iran's IRGC media operations find UK base
A cluster of companies owned and controlled by a UK citizen has established ties to the media arm of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Yasser Al Sayegh's businesses can be linked to the Islamic Radios and Televisions Union (IRTVU), which is sanctioned by the US government over allegations it is controlled by the IRGC.
Pakistan
Pakistan’s UN envoy rejects Indian allegations on Afghan civilian killings, citing a disinformation campaign. She accuses India of state-sponsored terrorism, cites Kashmir and water treaty concerns, and calls for dialogue.
Iran
Wall Street Journal: Iran Moved Billions Through Binance to Fund Regime—Continuing Into This Month
As Iran braced for conflict with the U.S., a key regime financier built a secret payment network to keep money flowing to its military forces. At its core was Binance.
Euronews: Iran asserts jurisdiction over UAE and Oman waters in new Strait of Hormuz map
Iran has published a map claiming regulatory control over a stretch of the Strait of Hormuz that extends deep into the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates and Oman, prompting five Gulf states to formally warn shipping companies through the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) not to comply.
Israel
Jerusalem Post: IDF arrests three terrorists in Hebron who were planning shooting terror attack
IDF forces from the Netzah Yehuda Battalion arrested on Wednesday three terrorists planning to carry out a shooting attack, the military announced. The suspects, who were arrested in the city of Hebron, were involved in a terrorist organization affiliated with Hamas that operates in the West Bank city.
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on Wednesday of some 430 activists detained from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, many of them bound and kneeling, accompanied by the message: "Welcome to Israel." European governments and Israeli politicians were quick to denounce the video.
Lebanon
Naharnet: Report: More Lebanese individuals could face US sanctions
Washington took a significant step Thursday by imposing sanctions on two officers from the Lebanese Army and the General Security Directorate, accusing them of "sharing intelligence with Hezbollah." The U.S. also slapped sanctions on three Hezbollah MPs, a Hezbollah ex-minister, two Amal Movement security officials, and the Iranian ambassador-designate to Lebanon.
Pakistan
Newspoint: India calls out Pakistan's violent record at UN amid Afghan civilian casualties
During a recent session at the UN Security Council, India condemned the civilian casualties in Afghanistan attributed to cross-border violence from Pakistani military forces, labeling these actions as 'heinous acts' of aggression. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, emphasized that such behavior should not be unexpected from a nation known for its internal violence and systematic oppression.
NDTV: How Lashkar terrorist directed Pahalgam terror attack from Pakistan: NIA chargesheet
The terror attack that killed 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in April 2025 was entirely controlled from Pakistan, according to the chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the country's top terror-fighting body.
Africa
BBC News: Dozens of vehicles burnt as Mali jihadists enforce blockade ahead of Eid holiday
Dozens of vehicles, including fuel tankers, minibuses and trucks, have been set on fire near Mali's capital, Bamako, as jihadists step up a blockade of the city. The fuel blockade is intended to suffocate Mali's economy and weaken the legitimacy of the military leaders in power, experts say.
France24: Mali-Guinea corridor disrupted: Militants siege deepens economic strain
Following the coordinated attacks launched in late April, security conditions have sharply deteriorated along the key transport corridor connecting Mali and Guinea. Reports of a blockade near the Bamako region have brought much of the road traffic to a halt, severely affecting the movement of people and goods ahead of the Tabaski holiday. The disruption has left drivers stranded, traders unable to transport merchandise, and local economic activity slowing across the region.
General Dagvin Anderson highlighted worsening security in Africa due to growing terrorist networks and bad actors. Africa's strategic significance was emphasized, both as a global commerce hub and a key supplier of critical minerals. There is also evidence of growing cooperation between groups like the Houthis and al-Shabaab, and several foreign terrorist organizations remain active on the continent.
Australia
Economic Times: Second group of ISIS-linked Australian women reportedly leaves Syrian camp
A second group of Australian women and children with alleged ISIS ties has departed a Syrian detention camp, heading towards Damascus. This follows the recent return of four women and nine children, some of whom now face charges. The Australian government faces criticism over repatriations, with the opposition citing public safety concerns.
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