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.”

September 28, 2026

Islamic State’s decentralized digital ecosystem

ISD's Moustafa Ayad spoke to CNN about the digital ecosystem IS exists in today.

Islamist Extremism

September 17, 2026

25 years after 9/11, al-Qaeda remains perennially online: The group’s digital ecosystem in 2026

Islamist Extremism, Tech Accountability and Safety, Threat Analysis and Prevention

September 8, 2026

Generation ‘Slop Jihad:’ The decentralized ‘media jihad’ gets sloppy

Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

August 21, 2026

Recent arrest shows Islamic State’s continued relevance

Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

August 2, 2026

Anti-LGBTQ+ hate in extremist movements

Anti-LGBTQ+, Islamist Extremism, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse

July 29, 2026

Five lessons from the Islamist extremist attack on Berlin Pride

Anti-LGBTQ+, Islamist Extremism

July 27, 2026

Where Islamist and far-right targeting of queer people meet

Anti-LGBTQ+, Far-Right Extremism, Islamist Extremism, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Terrorism and Extremism

July 13, 2026

Extremists are using AI to build propaganda — and plan attacks

Emerging Technologies, Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

March 11, 2026

Islamic State group activity in the US in 2025

Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism, Threat Analysis and Prevention

Further Reading

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

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

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