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Axis of amplification: Regime media, proxies and Western supporters respond to Iranian protests

This Dispatch summarises responses to the protests by state and non-state supporters of the regime between 28 December 2025 and 17 January 2026.

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference

Iran floods global social media with AI content during ongoing conflict

ISD’s Bret Schafer joined Fox News to discuss the surge of AI-generated content Iran is deploying amid the ongoing conflict.

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference

The ecosystem of nonconsensual intimate deepfake tools online

ISD found 31 active SIIA tools easily accessible online, putting women and minors at risk.

Emerging Technologies, Misogyny

Iran’s diplomats launch a meme war

Iranian officials are using provocative, ironic content to go viral, driving massive engagement and reshaping state messaging during the war.

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

Islamic State group activity in the US in 2025

IS-inspired activity in the US persists, largely driven by teens, showing how accessible propaganda continues to radicalize and mobilize youth.

Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism, Threat Analysis and Prevention

Flagship Programmes

Young Cities

Young Cities fosters collaboration between young people and local governments to address the most pressing issues in their communities.

Resources

Business Council for Democracy

The Business Council for Democracy is a cross-sector platform that brings together companies and employers committed to our democracy.

Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Terrorism and Extremism, Training and Educational Resources

Be Internet Citizens

ISD works to build young people’s digital citizenship skills across the UK, enabling them to critically evaluate information.

Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse

Strong Cities

The Strong Cities Network is an independent, global network of more than 290 cities dedicated to addressing all forms of hate and extremism.

Strong Cities, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Terrorism and Extremism

Extreme Dialogue

The Extreme Dialogue programme supports educators and young people to confront the realities of hate and extremism.

Terrorism and Extremism

Coalition to Counter Online Antisemitism (CCOA)

ISD’s international network of organisations taking a whole of society approach to counter online antisemitism in Europe.

Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Terrorism and Extremism

ISD In the media

How citizen journalists fell foul of anti-migrant rioters in Southampton

ISD’s Katherine Keneally featured on CBC about Montreal shooter’s manifesto

Iranian regime’s propaganda pushes message of US defeat

The San Diego mosque shooting and the rise of online subcultures

Digital Dispatches

The latest ISD data-driven analysis on terrorism, extremism, hate and information operations.

San Diego mosque shooting highlights new generation of neo-Nazi accelerationism

Hybrid Extremism and Nihilistic Violence, Terrorism and Extremism

All operations on Armenia: Russia’s influence machine targets the vote

Democratic Integrity, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

High risk, small platforms: Understanding synthetic non-consensual intimate imagery and community norms on 4chan

Tech Accountability and Safety, Tech Legislation and Regulation

Building a strategic response to antisemitism in the UK in a changing threat landscape

Antisemitism, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Tech Legislation and Regulation, Threat Analysis and Prevention

ISD Spotlights

The War In Ukraine

Countering pro-Kremlin disinformation targeting Ukrainian refugees in Germany

ISD released the first round of a video campaign in German, Arabic and Russian.

Anti-Migrant, Education, Resources, Training and Educational Resources

Tim Squirrell: Meta’s conclusions on pro-Kremlin online campaigns “difficult” to assess

Data Access and Transparency

‘Smash-and-grab’ Russian-origin accounts flood Meta platforms with Ukraine war disinformation

Inside NAFO: The meme collective countering Kremlin talking points online

Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

Elections all around the world in 2024

Pro-Islamic State outlet using CNN and Al Jazeera branding to boost reach

Executive Director for Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Moustafa Ayad, spoke to WIRED about ISD’s investigation on a pro-Islamic State (IS) network.

Islamist Extremism

Explainers

Overviews of issues, trends, narratives, platforms and actors.

Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery (NCII) Abuse

Non-consensual intimate imagery abuse describes the creation and dissemination of intimate images of a person without their consent.

Digital Rights and Protections, Emerging Technologies, Misogyny, Tech Accountability and Safety

Proud Boys

The Proud Boys are a US-based political activist group that subscribes to a self-described “Western chauvinist” worldview.

Far-Right Extremism

764

764 is a network of online groups that engage in sextortion and the glorification of violence.

Information Warfare and Online Manipulation, Kids Online Safety, Misogyny

Reports

June 10, 2026

Online Domestic Extremism in Canada Data Briefing – December 2025 to February 2026

This briefing paper details analysis of Canadian domestic extremists’ online activity between 1 December 2025 and 28 February 2026.