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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’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

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 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

‘Tick tock traitor:’ The rise of violent rhetoric targeting US public officials

We assess how violent threats against US officials have tripled since 2021, spiking after major events and driven mainly by partisan individuals.

Officials and Law Enforcement, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Tech Accountability and Safety, Threats to Public Figures

Flagship Programmes

Young Cities

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

Resources

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

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

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

Extreme Dialogue

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

Terrorism and Extremism

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

ISD In the media

4chan as origin point for dissemination of non-consensual intimate imagery

ISD analysis cited in CNN coverage of San Diego mosque shooting

The far right’s new emphasis on photogenic influencers

Canadian white nationalists crossed the border to train with US extremists

Digital Dispatches

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

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

Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right: The ‘gig-economy’ proxy group attacking Europe

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

May 21, 2026

Addressing the Intersection of Misogyny, Targeted Hate and Violent Extremism

Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Tech Accountability and Safety

May 5, 2026

Amplifying Antisemitism: How Recommender Algorithms Serve Harmful Content to Children

This research investigates how recommender algorithms on TikTok and Rumble expose UK minors to antisemitic content.

Antisemitism, Recommender Systems and Algorithms, Tech Accountability and Safety