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

October 23, 2018

Becoming Mulan? Female Western Migrants to ISIS

This report focuses on those women that have travelled from the West to ISIS held territory in support of the terrorist organisation.

Islamist Extremism

October 23, 2018

Blasphemy, Charlie Hebdo, and the Freedom of Belief and Expression

This briefing paper discusses the reactions to the horrific events that saw a group of people be murdered by Islamist's in the Charlie Hebdo offices.

Freedom of Expression, Islamist Extremism

October 23, 2018

‘Till Martyrdom Do Us Part’ Gender and the ISIS Phenomenon

This report explores the phenomenon of Western females travelling to Syria and Iraq in support of ISIS.

Islamist Extremism

October 23, 2018

“Shooting in the right direction”: Anti-ISIS Foreign Fighters in Syria and Iraq

This report represents the first publication in ISD’s new “Horizons” series, launched to examine emerging trends related to violent extremism or CVE.

Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

October 23, 2018

“I Left to be Closer to Allah”: Learning about Foreign Fighters from Family and Friends

A report calls that examines the motivations of the thousands of foreign fighters and the difficulties their families face coping with their loss.

Islamist Extremism

May 20, 2018

“I Left to be Closer to Allah”: Learning about Foreign Fighters from Family and Friends

This report studies the motivations of foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq, using the largest collection of interviews with them and their families.

Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

August 1, 2016

“Shooting in the right direction”: Anti-IS Foreign Fighters in Syria and Iraq

This report represents the first publication in ISD’s new “Horizons” series, launched to examine emerging trends related to violent extremism or CVE.

Islamist Extremism, Terrorism and Extremism

July 26, 2016

ISIS and Nusra in Turkey

This report looks at how the Turkish government has sought to deal with the challenges of instability, terrorism and extremism.

Democratic Integrity, Islamist Extremism

May 1, 2015

‘Till Martyrdom Do Us Part’ Gender and the ISIS Phenomenon

This report explores the phenomenon of Western females travelling to Syria and Iraq in support of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Islamist Extremism

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