ISD-US

ISD-US works to detect and mitigate violent extremist threats, protect America’s democratic institutions, build capacity for locally led violence prevention, and uncover foreign influence operations. 

The Institute for Strategic Dialogue-US (ISD-US) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to defending democracy and individual rights against threats to public safety and national security being amplified through social media and AI. We combine real-time threat intelligence, frontline partnerships, and data-driven interventions to disrupt extremist and authoritarian movements and build systemic resilience.

We’ve seen how the digital information landscape can spark real-world violence, empower extremists, radicalize lone actors, and erode trust in the democratic process. At the same time, authoritarian regimes are conducting coordinated influence operations that exploit grievance and identity and undermine trust.

These threats are not siloed. They are systemic, targeting critical infrastructure, public and elected officials, civic institutions, businesses, and vulnerable communities.

While the threats are real, so is our capacity to address them. ISD-US’s digital threat monitoring system is one of the most advanced in the field, with analysts tracking over 1,000 hate, conspiracy and extremist channels across alt-tech and mainstream platforms. ISD-US analysts identify and respond to hundreds of threats, many involving or inciting violence. These have included intervening in university swatting attempts, providing real-time intelligence after incidents of political violence, and thwarting Columbine-styled mass killings,

ISD-US goes beyond detection by helping to build resilience at the local level, where polarization and violence often begin. Our programs deliver:

• Community training for mayors, civic leaders, and frontline actors via the Strong Cities North America hub and its Violence Prevention Academy 

• Digital and AI literacy training for youth, public officials, companies and civil society 

• Interventions that disrupt antisemitism, misogyny, youth radicalization and online hate through tested digital engagement models 

This is a critical moment in the United States to protect public safety, and we believe the US can lead the world in forging a democratic response to the digital threat landscape. This future must be one in which: 

• Digital ecosystems are transparent, accountable, safe, innovative, and uphold First Amendment freedoms 

• Communities are resilient to hate, extremism and manipulation 

• National security strategies account for cognitive and information security 

• Government, civil society and tech platforms work in concert to defend democracy