Eye on Extremism: September 22, 2025
Top Stories
Hamas has drafted a letter to President Donald Trump, asking the American president to guarantee a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the immediate release of half of the hostages being detained within Gaza, Fox News has learned from a senior Trump administration official and a second source directly involved in negotiations.
World leaders begin convening Monday at one of the most volatile moments in the United Nations’ 80-year history, and the challenges they face are as dire as ever if not more so: unyielding wars in Gaza and Ukraine, escalating changes in the U.S. approach to the world, hungry people everywhere and technologies that are advancing faster than the understanding of how to manage them.
CEP Mentions
The Guardian: A US neo-Nazi fight club is using Charlie Kirk’s killing to recruit new members
“Active clubs are exploiting the assassination of Charlie Kirk for recruitment purposes, specifically urging white men to join the movement,” said Joshua Fisher-Birch, a professional analyst who researches the far right. “In online posts, active clubs have also stated that the current environment presents an opportunity to expand the movement, claiming that regular people are receptive to their ‘radical message’.”
WDR: CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler on Aktuelle Stunde on September 20, 2025
Counter Extremism Project (CEP) Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler interviewed regarding Russian intrusion into NATO airspace as part of its hybrid warfare. (At 07:26)
Analysis
PBS News: Analysis: What data shows about political extremist violence
After the Sept. 10, 2025, assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, President Donald Trump claimed that radical leftist groups foment political violence in the U.S., and “they should be put in jail.” “The radical left causes tremendous violence,” he said, asserting that “they seem to do it in a bigger way” than groups on the right.
United States
Reuters: US National Counterterrorism Center warns of threat from al Qaeda
The U.S. National Counterterrorism Center said on Friday that recent calls by al Qaeda for attacks against the United States showed the group's enduring threat to the country. Al Qaeda and its Yemen-based affiliate, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) "are likely seeking to leverage their media publications and global conflicts, particularly where there is U.S. support or military involvement, to inspire potential attackers," it said in a memo to law enforcement.
Fox News: Mike Huckabee calls out the 'irrational' rise in antisemitism in US
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee joins 'Fox & Friends Weekend' to discuss the latest on the war in the Middle East as several U.S. allies are expected to recognize Palestinian statehood.
Tucker Carlson, the far-right personality who has repeatedly drawn criticism for promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories, recounted the plot to murder Jesus during his speech at the memorial service for Charlie Kirk. Both supporters and critics said they believed Carlson was implying that Jews or Israelis had been behind Kirk’s assassination earlier this month — amplifying a prominent conspiracy theory that Israel killed Kirk because his longstanding support was eroding.
The Guardian: Arab and Muslim leaders to meet Trump to discuss peace plan for Gaza
Arab and Muslim leaders are to meet Donald Trump in New York to discuss their plan for a UN-mandated international stabilisation force in Gaza after France joined the UK, Canada and Australia in recognising Palestine as a state. Israel has warned that it might respond to the recognition of Palestine by annexing the West Bank, citing claims from Hamas that recognition by allies of Israel was a victory for the terror group.
The federal investigation into the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has yet to find a link between the alleged shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, and left-wing groups on which President Donald Trump and his administration have pledged to crack down after the killing, three sources familiar with the probe told NBC News.
On Thursday, Benjamin Netanyahu posted an unusual video to X: a preemptive denial that Israel was involved in the murder of Charlie Kirk. “Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda minister, said that the bigger the lie, the faster it will spread,” the Israeli prime minister said in the video, in English. “Well, somebody’s fabricated a monstrous big lie: that Israel had something to do with Charlie Kirk’s horrific murder.”
A Texas man raised in an Orthodox Jewish family in the Boston area has been charged with threatening Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor. Jeremy Fistel, 44, was arraigned Thursday in Queens on a 22-count indictment that includes charges of making a terroristic threat and aggravated harassment.
CBS News: Anti-LGBTQ, antisemitic graffiti painted outside of Long Beach Pride headquarters
Los Angeles County leaders have addressed the recent discovery of anti-LGBTQ and antisemitic graffiti outside of the Long Beach Pride headquarters over the weekend. The graffiti was found on a utility box outside of the building, which helps Long Beach put on their annual Pride festival. The language included a swastika, which could be seen in photos seen on Long Beach Pride's Facebook page.
The J.: Jewish Federations Urge Trump To Make TikTok Deal Tackle Antisemitism
Leaders of the Jewish Federations of North America urged President Donald Trump in a Sept. 17 letter to ensure that any deal to divest TikTok to U.S. interests includes “concrete and sufficient steps to purge this powerful social media platform of the pervasive antisemitism” they say is driving real-world violence and harassment.
Jerusalem Post: NYU student's dorm room door defaced with antisemitic graffiti
The door of a New York University Jewish student’s dormitory room was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti, said NYU President Linda Mills and Fountain Walker, global campus safety vice president.
Europe
New York Times: Some Europeans Fear Trump Aides Want a Far-Right Takeover
President Trump has called the European Union “a foe,” “set up to take advantage of the United States” and “worse than China” as an economic competitor. Vice President JD Vance has criticized European democracy as deeply flawed — suppressing religious expression and dissent; promoting uncontrolled migration without voter consent; canceling elections; and censoring the far right, thus limiting political debate.
France
Jerusalem Post: Macron: Palestinian statehood recognition meant to weaken Hamas, not reward violence
French President Emmanuel Macron said that France’s recognition of a Palestinian state is intended to undermine Hamas by providing Palestinians with a credible political alternative, in an interview with CBS’s Face the Nation, released on Sunday.
France is advancing an initiative aimed at establishing an “International Stabilization Mission” that would replace the IDF in Gaza and work to disarm Hamas after the war ends, according to a draft of the proposal obtained by The Times of Israel.
Jerusalem Post: Macron vows to combat antisemitism: 'I know the anxiety of French Jews'
French President Emmanuel Macron asserted his commitment to addressing the French Jewish communities' demands for justice and protection in a statement on X/Twitter on Saturday.
Germany
Euractiv: AfD ties CDU in latest German poll as far-right makes western gains
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) continues to put pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats, with a widely watched poll released showing the two parties tied among voters at 26%.
Hungary
Hungary Today: Foreign Minister Urges EU to Classify Antifa as a Terrorist Organization
Following the example of US President Donald Trump, Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in a letter sent on Saturday to Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, proposed that the Antifa movement be classified as a terrorist organization.
Italy
Reuters: Gaza protests in Italy block ports, clashes erupt in Milan
Striking dockworkers blocked access roads to ports in Italy on Monday and violence flared at a pro-Palestinian protest in the centre of Milan as unions staged a day of protest against Israel's Gaza offensive. Protesting Italian dockworkers say they are seeking to prevent Italy from being used as a staging post for the transfer of arms and other supplies to Israel that is at war with Hamas in Gaza.
Netherlands
"It was an unprecedented outburst of violence, unworthy of the Netherlands," said Jan van Zanen, mayor of The Hague. On Saturday, September 20, the political capital of the country saw hundreds of far-right activists (1,200 according to police) mobilize, claiming to protest against "failures in asylum policy." The aftermath of the violence, which took place just over a month before the legislative elections scheduled for October 29, was still visible Sunday in the city center.
Euractiv: Dutch parties unite in condemning far-right rioters' violence
Politicians across the Dutch political spectrum have condemned violence by far-right anti-immigration rioters against police, ahead of the snap parliamentary election scheduled for 29 October. An anti-immigration demonstration attended by hundreds of people in The Hague on Saturday turned violent, with rioters blocking a highway, setting a police car on fire and vandalising the offices of liberal party D66.
Switzerland
Jerusalem Post: Kosher hotel in Davos receives letter with death threats, antisemitic insults
A kosher hotel in Davos, Switzerland, received death threats and antisemitic insults in a letter, Jonathan Kreutner, the secretary-general of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG), told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday.
United Kingdom
Jewish News Syndicate: Hamas documents reveal secret UK contact with terrorists
Despite the U.K.’s stated policy of avoiding contact with terrorist groups, a British official met with Hamas members in Gaza at least once, the Daily Express reported over the weekend.
More than 150 lawyers, human rights, refugee and environmental organisations have said they are being “pressured into silence” after some received rape and death threats from far-right and anti-migrant protesters. At least two refugee NGOs that have been supporting asylum seekers who have received notices from the Home Office that they will be forcibly removed to France under Labour’s controversial “one in, one out” scheme have closed their offices after credible threats to their safety.
The Guardian: ‘Go-to trope’: how the far right is exploiting violence against women and girls
“Our women, our daughters are scared to walk the streets,” Tommy Robinson told tens of thousands of cheering supporters at last Saturday’s “unite the kingdom” rally. “Their safety has been taken from them,” he said, his voice croaking from the strain of shouting into his microphone. Communities were crumbling, he added, “at the hands of open border, mass uncontrolled immigration”.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan International: Taliban Leader Bans Phone Use, Moves To Cut Internet Access
Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has banned the use of smartphones and even regular mobile phones around his residence in Kandahar, deepening his push to restrict internet access nationwide, sources told Afghanistan International. The reclusive leader, who rarely appears in public, is said to have grown increasingly distrustful of technology. He reportedly relies on a radio communication system instead of mobile or internet services.
Afghanistan International: Anti-Taliban Group Claims Deadly Attack In Herat
A little-known armed faction has claimed responsibility for an attack that killed two Taliban fighters in western Afghanistan, the group said Monday. The Afghanistan People’s Liberation Movement said its fighters struck Taliban forces in Guzara district of Herat province on Sunday evening, around 9 p.m. local time. In a statement, the group said the attack took place near the UN mission’s office in Herat and targeted Taliban members linked to the Al-Farooq Corps training centre. It claimed the fighters seized weapons and equipment during the assault.
A classified Taliban intelligence report warns that rising public anger could reach breaking point and pave the way for the return of warlords unless the group changes course, according to documents obtained by Afghanistan International.
Afghanistan International: Explosion Reported Near Gate Of Bagram Air Base
An explosion was reported Saturday near the fourth gate of Bagram Air Base in Parwan province, local sources said. The blast occurred around 4:30 p.m. near Seh Dokan, on the eastern side of the base. A source told Afghanistan International that demining teams had carried out a controlled detonation of discovered explosives.
Gaza Strip
Times of Israel: IDF officer moderately hurt by Hamas fire in Gaza this morning
An IDF officer was moderately wounded by Hamas gunfire during fighting in the northern Gaza Strip this morning, the military says.
Iran
Iran International: Iranian lawmakers urge review of defense doctrine, call for nuclear weapons
Dozens of Iranian lawmakers have called for a fundamental shift in the country’s defense policy, urging authorities to consider building a nuclear weapon as a deterrent, Iranian media reported on Monday. Seventy-one members of parliament signed a letter to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and the heads of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, demanding a “review of the Islamic Republic’s defense doctrine,” according to the daily Hamshahri Online.
Israel
Reuters: Israel bolsters military presence over the holidays
The Israeli military said on Monday that it had reinforced air, land and naval forces across the country during the upcoming holiday period following a "multi-front assessment". Combat soldiers who were still in training would be providing support and be alert for "defensive and offensive tasks" throughout the holiday period, which begins on September 22 with the Jewish New Year and lasts until around mid-October.
Lebanon
Reuters: Israeli drone strikes kill five, including children, in southern Lebanon
An Israeli drone strike killed five people, including three children, in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil on Sunday, Lebanon's health ministry said. Israel has frequently targeted what it calls Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon despite a U.S.-brokered truce between Lebanon and Israel which took effect in November following more than a year of conflict sparked by war in Gaza.
Naharnet: Report: Ortagus lauds army's efforts, says insufficient till Hezbollah disarmed
U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus took part in the meeting of the ceasefire monitoring committee on Sunday and listened to a detailed explanation about the army’s weapons monopoly plan from the Lebanese representative in the committee. “Lebanon’s envoy to the committee called on Ortagus to put an end to Israel’s continued attacks against Lebanon and to press Israel to withdraw from the points it is occupying, because its continued occupation and security violations will lead to obstructing the army’s deployment in the South Litani region,” security sources told the PSP’s al-Anbaa news portal.
Naharnet: Report: Israeli official says 2026 'decisive' for Hezbollah's full disarmament
Next year will be “decisive” and Israel will “intervene in Lebanon” if no “practical measures” are taken against Hezbollah’s arms, an Israeli security source said on Monday. “If Hezbollah is not disarmed, Israel will expand its activities inside Lebanon,” the source told Saudi Arabia’s Al-Arabiya television.
Naharnet: Barrack says Lebanon 'only talks' about Hezbollah disarmament
U.S. envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, has said that everything Lebanon is doing is talk without real action. He told Sky News Arabia in an interview Sunday, that Israel will not withdraw from the five occupied points and that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doesn't care about borders or red lines if he feels Israel is threatened.
Syria
Reuters: Syria will hold its first parliamentary election under its new Islamist-led administration
on October 5, state news agency SANA said on Sunday. The new assembly is expected to lay the groundwork for a broader democratic process following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad last December after nearly 14 years of civil war. Critics say the current system lacks sufficient participation from minority groups.
Reuters: Sharaa to become first Syrian leader to attend UN meetings since 1967
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in New York to attend meetings of the UN General Assembly, the first participation of a Syrian president since 1967, the state news agency reported early on Monday. Sharaa – a former al Qaeda leader who once had a $10 million bounty on his head – scored a major diplomatic victory in May when he won recognition from U.S. President Donald Trump at a meeting in Riyadh.
Reuters: US forces kill alleged senior ISIS militant in Syria
The U.S. military on Friday said it had carried out a raid in Syria that killed a senior Islamic State militant. Earlier on Friday, the Iraqi counterterrorism service said that a senior Islamic State leader was killed in a security operation in Syria carried out in coordination with the U.S.-led international coalition.
Kurdistan24: SDF Accuses Damascus “cover-up” After Deadly Strike on Eastern Aleppo
A deadly escalation in eastern Aleppo has ignited a fierce battle of narratives between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Ministry of Defense, after seven civilians were killed and four others wounded in attacks on the village of Um Tineh in the Deir Hafer countryside.
Yemen
Jerusalem Post: Saudi Arabia-UK launch partnership funding against Houthi naval terrorism
Saudi Arabia and Britain launched a partnership to strengthen the coastguard of Yemen's anti-Houthi government in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden last week, including collecting pledges of millions of dollars to fund the scheme from 35 countries.
Yemen Online: Yemen Marks 11 Years Since Houthi Takeover Amid Deepening Crisis
Yemen today marks the eleventh anniversary of the Houthi takeover of the capital Sana’a, a pivotal moment that plunged the country into one of the world’s most protracted and devastating conflicts. On September 21, 2014, Houthi fighters stormed key government institutions, effectively ousting the internationally recognized government and triggering a nationwide collapse of state authority.
Yemen Online: Yemen : Houthi Militias Launch Sweeping Campaign of Abductions Since May
The National Commission for Prisoners and Abductees has confirmed that the so-called Security Bureau of the Houthi militia has launched a systematic campaign of arbitrary arrests and abductions since May 2025, targeting hundreds of civilians, activists, and employees of international organizations.
Pakistan
Police in Pakistan’s Punjab province have arrested 89 suspected militants in hundreds of intelligence-based operations across the province over the past three months, they said on Monday, amid a surge in militancy in the South Asian country.
Nigeria
Reuters: Nigeria police arrest six after deadly ambush in Benue State
Nigerian police have arrested six people in connection with a deadly ambush on police tactical teams in Benue State that left three officers dead and seven others missing, the force said on Sunday. The attack happened on Friday in Agu Centre, Katsina-Ala/Ukum Local Government Area, where suspected armed herdsmen and local militias opened fire on police units deployed to the area.
Technology
In January 2025, a man named James Wesley Burger used Roblox—a platform designed for creativity and youth engagement—to openly issue threats of ideologically motivated violent extremist attacks. The case illustrates a disturbing trend: extremists appear to exploit Roblox to radicalise, recruit, and mobilise users, raising urgent questions about safety on one of the world’s most popular gaming platforms.
Authorities are examining the online activity of the 22-year-old suspect charged in the fatal shooting of conservative speaker Charlie Kirk, and experts warn that digital subcultures are increasingly fueling acts of violence.
CBS News: Examining the rise of online radicalization
Charlie Kirk's assassination has prompted renewed fears of online radicalization. While the alleged gunman's motivations are still unclear, lawmakers are looking to the potential role of social media. Theresa Payton, White House chief information officer under former President George W. Bush, joins "The Takeout" to discuss.
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