For 20 years, ISD has delivered field-leading threat detection, analysis and real-world strategies to combat terrorism, extremism and authoritarianism - in all their ideological forms.

Islamist Extremism

Islamist Extremism presents a politicised supremacist vision of Islam that is antithetical to democracy and human rights. Since the Islamic State (IS) and Al Qaeda’s high water mark a decade ago, Islamist Extremist movements are in a state of flux, spreading across a broad range of violent and political groups globally. We track and respond to these evolving threats using a range of tools and approaches, as well as trying to reach an increasingly young cohort of digital supporters.”

March 11, 2026

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

March 10, 2026

The 2025 Annual Review of Plots and Attacks Across the US

Hybrid Extremism and Nihilistic Violence, Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism, Threat Analysis and Prevention

February 26, 2026

Coordinating Through Chaos: The State of the Islamic State Online in 2026

Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

February 26, 2026

As platforms pull back moderation, Islamic State contents grows in reach

Islamist Extremism

January 17, 2026

Morocco’s Religious Diplomacy: Soft Power, Sovereignty and the Politics of Faith

Islamist Extremism

December 23, 2025

Bondi Beach: The hallmarks of an Islamic State attack 

Antisemitism, Islamist Extremism, Threat Analysis and Prevention

December 22, 2025

Online activity driving continual threat from Islamic State

Islamist Extremism

December 22, 2025

Recent arrests in Toronto highlight Islamic State threat to Jewish community

Antisemitism, Islamist Extremism

July 11, 2025

ISD’s research on al-Shabaab’s Facebook presence cited by Carnegie Endowment for Peace

Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

Further Reading

November 23, 2023

Condemn, condone, converge: German extremist and conspiracist responses to the Israel-Gaza crisis

In Germany, extremists and conspiracy theorists use the Israel-Hamas conflict to polarise politics. This Dispatch analyses their impact.

Antisemitism, Far-Left Extremism, Far-Right Extremism, Hybrid Extremism and Nihilistic Violence, Islamist Extremism, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Terrorism and Extremism

November 23, 2023

Anschuldigen, anprangern, anstacheln: deutsche extremistische Reaktionen auf den Israel-Hamas Konflikt

In Germany, extremists and conspiracy theorists use the Israel-Hamas conflict to polarise politics. This Dispatch (in German) analyses their impact.

Antisemitism, Far-Left Extremism, Far-Right Extremism, Hybrid Extremism and Nihilistic Violence, Islamist Extremism, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Terrorism and Extremism

November 21, 2023

“Letter to America” reaches 719M impressions across social media platforms

ISD’s Moustafa Ayad talks to CNN about "Letter for America," Osama bin Laden's two-decade-old letter went viral during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Democratic Integrity, Far-Right Extremism, Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

November 17, 2023

Social media platforms breathe new life into the legacy of Osama bin Laden

ISD’s Isabelle Frances-Wright speaks to NBC about how Osama bin Laden’s “Letter to America” became popular on TikTok in the span of 48 hours.

Democratic Integrity, Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

November 16, 2023

Resurrecting the legacy of Osama bin Laden: Algorithms and ambivalence

Almost 13 years after his death, Osama bin Laden is trending on social media due to his 2002 "Letter to America," amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Islamist Extremism, Tech Accountability and Safety, Terrorism and Extremism

November 15, 2023

US extremists seeking “to further divide or create violence” in support of Hamas

ISD’s research on the Israel-Hamas conflict was featured in ABC News along with commentary from ISD’s Executive Director at AMEA Moustafa Ayad.

Antisemitism, Far-Right Extremism, Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

October 18, 2023

Graphic images of Israel-Hamas conflict being served to children online; mostly on Instagram

The NYT covered our study on the accessibility of graphic material by accounts set up as minors across platforms related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Islamist Extremism, Tech Accountability and Safety, Terrorism and Extremism

October 18, 2023

Pro-Hamas, Terrorist content racks up millions of views on X

ISD analysts found that in one 24-hour period, a sample of pro-Hamas posts reached over 16M views on X despite most violating platform policies.

Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

October 17, 2023

Why the flag found among Hamas equipment isn’t necessarily Islamic State

Moustafa Ayad, ISD's Executive Director of AMEA, spoke to French newspaper Le Figaro about the differences between Hamas and Islamic State.

Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

October 13, 2023

Illegal, violent terrorist content relating to Hamas-Israel conflict reaches millions on X

X has become a hub for content praising attacks by Hamas-linked al-Qassem Brigades, amassing millions of views in 24 hours with no moderation.

Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

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