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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue
@isdglobal.org
14K followers 220 following 710 posts
Powering solutions to extremism, hate and authoritarianism since 2006.
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 9h
Our teams are working hard in multiple regions to detect and prevent threats to communities, as well as to build the capacities of cities and practitioners to prevent violence upstream.
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 9h
It’s no coincidence these attacks and plots were often aimed at Jewish targets. Like many Islamist extremist groups, IS celebrated the October 7 attack and called for violence against Jews worldwide—calls later repeated in an editorial in a recent IS newsletter. www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
Islamist groups unite around Israel attack, diverge on Hamas
A broad range of Islamist extremists (including proscribed terrorist groups) have responded to Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent Israeli assault on Gaza. Although there...
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 9h
The attack in Manchester is part of a broader trend since October 7, with both attempted and completed Islamist extremist attacks increasing across Europe. Many of these have been linked to IS, which has either directed the assaults or inspired them.
www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
A resurgent and diversifying threat: Islamist extremist violence in Germany in the wake of October 7
Since Hamas’ attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023, there have been two deadly Islamist extremist attacks in Germany and a spate of foiled plots. This Dispatch analyses this resurgent phenomenon.
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 9h
A week after the antisemitic terrorist attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester, reports have confirmed that the attacker pledged allegiance to Islamic State (IS). www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Jihad Al-Shamie pledged allegiance to 'Islamic State' in 999 call
Police confirm the attacker made the call after he crashed his car into a brick wall.
www.bbc.co.uk
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 6d
What happens when a fandom obsessed w/ mass killers starts generating its own? Since 2024, the True Crime Community (TCC) has been linked to 16 school shootings/disrupted plots. Attackers seek notoriety, borrowing from past killers w/ a “memetic” twist. ISD analysis & what prevention requires below.
Memetic violence: How the True Crime Community generates its own killers
What happens when a fandom obsessed with high-profile murderers consequently becomes one of the biggest producers of them?
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 9d
Meme culture & gaming communities are central to the shifting extremist landscape, radicalising youth through humor in small chat rooms. The Sydney Morning Herald cites ISD’s findings, showing how “memeified” content can push a small minority from online spaces into real-world violence.
Understanding meme culture’s role in youth extremism amid Charlie Kirk shooting coverage
Small private chat rooms, gaming communities and meme culture are increasingly drawing young people into extremist ideologies.
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 9d
Catch up on the key digital policy developments from this summer 📣

Our latest roundup highlights 9 updates you should know, drawn from ISD’s Digital Policy Lab’s Policy Digest.

Read the full issue here. www.isdglobal.org/policy-diges...
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 14d
Between March–May 2025, Canadian extremist accounts posted more than 440K+ times, with activity spiking around elections & US tariffs. In our latest, ISD identified 598 accounts, with ethnonationalist & anti-Muslim content driving the most engagement. More below.
www.isdglobal.org/isd-publicat...
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 14d
11 leading economists on a panel convened by the Forum on Information and Democracy (ISD CEO Sasha Havlicek is a founding member) have released a statement highlighting the economic & democratic importance of public interest media, as the UN General Assembly meets in NY this week. Read it below.
informationdemocracy.org
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 19d
ISD contributed to the Eradicate Hate Summit in Pittsburgh this week, co-hosting the Gaming & Hate group to tackle misogyny in gaming. Since 2022, ISD has contributed to this summit, created after the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue attack. More below ⬇️ www.isdglobal.org/isd-events/i...
ISD experts join 2025 Eradicate Hate Summit, co-host Gaming and Hate working group
ISD experts returned to the Eradicate Hate Summit this week to co-host a working group on combatting misogyny in gaming.
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 20d
After the 10 Sept. Charlie Kirk shooting, ISD & CIS (Center for Internet Security) analysts found a spike in Russian-linked posts online. ABC News reports these used fake quotes, news and images to stir anger among a wide range of US audiences. Read it below. www.isdglobal.org/isd-in-the-n...
Analysts warn of Russian-linked online content surge following Charlie Kirk shooting
Much of the content identified by ISD and CIS appeared to target audiences using fake news reports, fabricated celebrity quotes and misleading images aimed at stirring political anger.
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 21d
Bullet casings recovered near the rifle allegedly used by Charlie Kirk’s killer featured symbols some have linked to the Groypers, despite no confirmed connection.

So who is this group? ISD's Explainer on the movement is cited by Forbes in their coverage of Kirk's death.
ISD cited to explain Groyper movement in Forbes coverage of Charlie Kirk shooting
Nick Fuentes has denied that his followers, the Groyper movement, are connected to Charlie Kirk’s death.
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 21d
Did German Chancellor Friedrich Merz kill a polar bear & her cubs while in Canada for the G7 summit?

Absolutely not—but Russian campaigns, heavy on AI, want people to think so.

ISD's Pablo Maristany tells Politico why Merz’s support for Ukraine has made him a target for bizarre false stories.
Friedrich Merz targeted by Russian campaigns for Support of Ukraine
Friedrich Merz’s strong support for Ukraine has made him a target of Russian campaigns that spread and amplify false reports.
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 26d
FIMI (Foreign Information Manipulation & Interference) is a threat to elections worldwide. This risk assessment from the FIMI Defenders for Election Integrity project analyses how malign actors could target the upcoming Czech election—from covert recruitment to front groups like Voice of Europe ⬇️
Czechia: Country Election Risk Assessment | FIMI Response Team Report
This report analyses the threats to the 2025 Czech election, detailing malign tactics from front groups to media hoaxes undermining democracy.
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 27d
Webinar Monday! 📢

Hosted by Coalition to Counter Online Antisemitism, a pan-European network coordinated by ISD, "Training grounds for hate" will gather experts to discuss how white nationalist "Active Clubs" are using fitness training as a gateway to radicalisation.

Register below.
CCOA webinar | Training grounds for hate? Active clubs, radicalisation and antisemitism in sport
Hosted by the CCOA, a pan-European network coordinated by ISD, this event gathers expert speakers to discuss sport and radicalisation.
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 28d
After a 2021 crackdown, it was assumed the neo-Nazi group The Base was done for.

But now it's back—active in Ukraine, on the EU's terrorist watch list, and raising fresh questions about Russian support. ISD’s Steven Rai unpacks the group’s re-emergence in Raw Story.

Read it below.
Neo-Nazi group The Base resurfaces amid activity in Ukraine, raising questions over Russian ties
After appearing to effectively dormant for years, The neo-Nazi group The Base has re-emerged and engaging in activities in Ukraine.
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · 29d
ISD’s latest explores the resurgence of 'The Base,' a neo-Nazi accelerationist group, worldwide. Despite a law enforcement crackdown & terrorist designations, it is rebuilding globally, plotting attacks and pushing to establish a White ethnostate in Ukraine’s Carpathian Mountains. Analysis below ⬇️
Out of the woodwork: Examining the global aspirations of The Base
This Dispatch examines neo-Nazi group The Base’s re-emergence, global tactics & suspected Russian ties, urging coordinated international action to disrupt the threat.
www.isdglobal.org
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · Sep 8
Active clubs are growing across the US & Canada, blending martial arts and White nationalist ideology, and often targeting teens. ISD’s Mack Lamoureux speaks to CBC’s Front Burner about the clubs’ key aspects, including their propaganda and activities. Podcast available below.
Active clubs on the rise: The next wave of far-right organizing in Canada
ISD's Mack Lamoureux spoke to Front Burner about rising active clubs, their strategy and, most importantly, their dangerous ideology.
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · Sep 5
ISD examines 70 Czech-language accounts on X acting as a conduit for Kremlin propaganda. While individual accounts have limited reach, the community’s activities illustrate an effort to influence political discourse ahead of the 2025 parliamentary elections ⬇️ www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
Investigation | An anti-Ukrainian community on X: A gateway for Russian propaganda in the Czech information space
A Czech X community of 70 accounts is acting as a conduit for Kremlin propaganda, amplifying anti-Ukraine narratives ahead of the 2025 elections.
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · Sep 4
Swatting calls—false emergency reports intended to trigger law enforcement—hit nearly a dozen US universities in late August, causing lockdowns, panic & major campus disruptions. But who is behind it? ISD links the “Purgatory” swatting group to at least 10 incidents. Read our findings on ABC News.
Spree of university shooting hoaxes linked to "Purgatory" swatting group
The nearly a dozen school shooting hoaxes reported in late August are very likely connected to one swatting group, according to an ISD intelligence report featured in ABC News.
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Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · Sep 3
Exciting new partnership! ISD & Movember—the leading men's health org—have joined forces to tackle digital harms facing young men. Together, we’re co-authoring policy papers to translate research into real world action & shape better digital spaces. Stay tuned for the papers + updates on Substack!
Movember partners with Institute for Strategic Dialogue to reduce harms for young men online
A new partnership with the Institute of Strategic Dialogue (ISD) aims to advocate for policy that supports the health of young men and boys.
uk.movember.com
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · Sep 2
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU has aimed to block Russian state media, but ISD’s Pablo Maristany de las Casas tells AFP that three years on, progress is inconsistent. His research suggests the EC should target specific domains linked to Russian state outlets, not just media names ⬇️
EU sanctions on Russian state media face inconsistent enforcement, ISD research finds
ISD's Pablo Maristanty de las Casas finding that the EU is falling short in achieving its goal to block Russian-state media is featured in several media outlets.
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · Sep 1
Authorities are probing the online trail of the Minnesota church shooting suspect. ISD’s Cody Zoschak explains to CNN how the attacker's journals & videos mirror nihilistic violence subculture, echoing themes seen in other shootings: "...we generally saw a lot of efforts to misdirect and troll."
Minnesota shooter’s online trail shows signs of nihilistic violence subculture
ISD's Cody Zoschak addresses similarities between the content produced by the Minnesota church shooting suspect and a perpetrator of another school shooting from earlier this year.
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · Aug 28
Social media is becoming a key arena for Jordan’s growing nationalist discourse. In this new report, we analyse over 43K posts & find that online activity is fuelling ethnic tension and undermining social cohesion. Analysts call for a whole-of-society approach to address these harms. Findings below.
A Strained National Identity: Digital Polarisation and Nationalism in Jordan
This study maps Jordan’s online sphere, showing how social media fuels nationalist hate speech while offering ways to counter polarisation and exclusion.
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isdglobal.org
Institute for Strategic Dialogue @isdglobal.org · Aug 27
A recent ISD investigation examines how 6 pro-Kremlin influencers, positioned by Russia, are working to expand Moscow’s influence in the Sahel. We show how these influencers build parasocial ties and tap into local grievances to push anti-Western narratives across the region.

Read it below.
Investigation | Pro-Kremlin influencers targeting audiences in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)
After Mali, Burkina Faso & Niger quit ECOWAS under military regimes, it seems they may have pivoted toward Russia with local influencers playing into their geopolitical agenda.
www.isdglobal.org
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