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

September 19, 2023

Gen Z Digital Salafism

Salafism's strict rules, strong group identity, and rejection of mainstream Islamic norms attract Gen Z Muslims seeking a rebellious counterculture.

Gaming and Alternative Platforms, Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

September 12, 2023

Meming 9/11: A new generation of Salafi-jihadists terrorposting the September 11 attacks

Twenty-two years after 9/11, ISD explores how Salafi-jihadist meme networks use the attack as a 'shitposting' rite of passage on mainstream platforms.

Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

August 29, 2023

Young guns: Understanding a new generation of extremist radicalization in the US

This paper provides an overview of how a shifting landscape of youth radicalization is impacting a new generation.

Far-Left Extremism, Far-Right Extremism, Hybrid Extremism and Nihilistic Violence, Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

June 13, 2023

CaliphateTok: TikTok continues to host Islamic State propaganda

New research by ISD reveals how the Islamic State has been using TikTok to amplify propaganda undetected and without restriction constraints.

Islamist Extremism, Tech Accountability and Safety, Terrorism and Extremism

December 28, 2022

Salafi-jihadist groups adapt to social media security measures in order to keep up online propaganda

ISD's Simeon Dukić discusses Salafi-jihadist groups adapting online tactics to target Albanian speakers with Balkan Insight.

Islamist Extremism

October 4, 2022

Facebook’s autogenerate feature is creating business pages for extremists

ISD's Moustafa Ayad spoke to Yahoo News about how FB's autogenerate feature benefits Islamist extremists.

Islamist Extremism, Tech Accountability and Safety, Terrorism and Extremism

September 7, 2022

The Terror Times: The Depth and Breadth of the Islamic State Alternative News Outlet Ecosystem Online

This study investigates how Islamic State (IS) supporters have built networks of 'alternative news outlets' with tens of thousands of followers.

Gaming and Alternative Platforms, Islamist Extremism

August 22, 2022

Fatwa against novelist Salman Rushdie unites Islamist extremists around the world

A religious order issued by an Islamic leader over 33 years ago in Iran is unifying extremists globally following the attack on Salman Rushdie.

Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism, Threat Analysis and Prevention

August 2, 2022

PC Mag reports on ISD’s findings about moderation gaps and terrorist content proliferation

PC Magazine features ISD's findings about how moderation gaps in non-English language allow for the proliferation of violent and terrorist content.

Islamist Extremism, Tech Accountability and Safety

July 31, 2022

AI falling short in moderating extremist content on Facebook

ISD's Moustafa Ayad spoke to the Washington Post about the problem of extremist and terrorist content on Facebook in Kenya.

Islamist Extremism, Tech Accountability and Safety

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