Institute for Strategic Dialogue

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For 20 years, ISD has led the way in detecting, exposing and combatting terrorism, extremism, foreign interference and authoritarianism.

Across Europe, gendered narratives, anti-gender mobilisation and misogyny are reshaping how extremist movements recruit, radicalise and organise online. Yet these dynamics are still too often treated as separate from broader efforts to prevent violent extremism. www.emmelo.eu/posts/the-ro...

Masculinity in extremist movements: Policy Recommendations

THE ROLE OF MASCULINITY IN EXTREMIST MOVEMENTS: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EUROPEAN POLICYMAKERS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED AND SENSITIVE RESPONSES

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The Islamist extremist attack targeting Berlin's Christopher Street Day celebrations has once again highlighted that Islamic State (IS) remains a major terrorist threat. A new ISD dispatch examines what the attack tells us about today's Islamist extremist landscape. 🧵

As conversational AI becomes part of how people seek information, advice and companionship, understanding its role in pathways to radicalisation is increasingly important. A new ISD research analysed around 1,800 responses from 10 leading AI systems. Explore the key findings 🧵

Gendered deepfakes, or synthetic non-consensual intimate imagery, are one of the fastest-growing forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence. But the problem extends far beyond AI itself. ISD's new report maps the entire ecosystem enabling this abuse 🧵 www.isdglobal.org/publication/...

Mapping the 'Nudify' Tools Ecosystem - Institute for Strategic Dialogue

ISD maps the gendered deepfakes ecosystem, exposing how it's created, spread and monetised while identifying key regulatory gaps.

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Co-Exec Director of ISD Germany Julia Ebner's new book, The Language of Terrorists, is already turning heads. Drawing on a decade of research at ISD, Julia introduces the Violence Risk Index, showing how language can distinguish credible threats from violent extremist rhetoric.

The May 2026 attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego reflects a newer and increasingly visible form of neo-Nazi accelerationist violence: while extremist ideology remains central, the pathways into it are becoming increasingly diffuse and embedded in nihilistic online subcultures.

San Diego mosque shooting highlights new generation of neo-Nazi accelerationism - Institute for Strategic Dialogue

The May 2026 attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego reflects an emerging trend in neo-Nazi accelerationist violence.

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New ISD analysis finds that multiple Russian state-sponsored and aligned information campaigns are targeting Armenia's upcoming parliamentary elections, in an attempt to undercut Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s re-election campaign. www.isdglobal.org/digital-disp...

All operations on Armenia: Russia's influence machine targets the vote - Institute for Strategic Dialogue

Multiple Russian information operations are converging on Armenia in an apparent attempt to influence parliamentary elections on 7 June

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ISD-US is looking for a Foundation Partnerships Manager. This role will help grow our philanthropic partnerships & lead in proposal development aligned with programmatic priorities, incl. countering hate & targeted harassment, & addressing the impact of emerging tech, such as AI. Deadline: 31 May

Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) - Foundation Partnerships Manager

ISD is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding democratic integrity, freedom, national security, public safety and individual rights by reversing the rising glo

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There have been new developments in the investigation into a shadowy group claiming a wave of attacks across Europe. A US criminal complaint unsealed today alleges that a Kata'ib Hezbollah commander confirmed on tape that the group — Ashab al-Yamin — operates as a Kata'ib Hezbollah front.

Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right: The 'gig-economy' proxy group attacking Europe - Institute for Strategic Dialogue

Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, a previously unknown "Islamic Resistance" group, has launched 16 attacks across Europe.

isdglobal.org

Antisemitic threats in the UK are becoming more complex, fast-moving and interconnected across online and offline spaces. ISD’s new policy brief offers a strategic framework for confronting the diverse range of antisemitic threats facing British Jewish communities 👉 www.isdglobal.org/digital-disp...

Building a strategic response to antisemitism in the UK in a changing threat landscape - Institute for Strategic Dialogue

Amid recent attacks on the Jewish community, this brief calls for a PM-led framework linking digital regulation, prevention & counter-extremism.

isdglobal.org

Iran’s communications strategy is increasingly using pop culture formats, including Lego-styled videos & memes, to reach younger, globalized audiences, while domestic internet access remains heavily restricted. “They are not taking their strategy too seriously,” said ISD’s Bret Schafer to @wsj.com.

Iran's meme strategy blurs the line between entertainment and propaganda - Institute for Strategic Dialogue

ISD's Bret Schafer talks to the Wall Street Journal about Iran's shift in communications strategy since the beginning of the conflict with the US.

isdglobal.org

Expert Insights webinar series ⏰ ISD’s Hannah Rose joins INHOPE to talk about subcultures of nihilistic violence and how practitioners can strengthen responses to a growing threat. These networks are linked to harms incl. sexual exploitation, cybercrime & real-world violence, often targeting minors.

Webinar: ISD's Hannah Rose on understanding online subcultures of nihilistic violence - Institute for Strategic Dialogue

ISD’s Hannah Rose joins INHOPE to talk about subcultures of nihilistic violence & how practitioners can strengthen responses to a growing threat.

isdglobal.org

The growth of online gambling is exposing young people to potential harm on social media, & the platforms meant to protect them are falling short. Research from ISD shows how gambling & prediction market content is reaching minors on TikTok, Instagram & YouTube 👉 www.isdglobal.org/digital-disp...

Pathways to parlays: Analyzing youth exposure to online gambling & prediction market advertising - Institute for Strategic Dialogue

ISD finds social platforms failing to block gambling and prediction market ads to minors, exposing major moderation gaps amid rising youth addiction.

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David Salvo, ISD’s Managing Director of Transatlantic Policy and Programming, spoke before Canada’s House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs at a hearing earlier this week on the current state of civic resilience in the country.

Iranian embassies and officials on X have shifted from formal diplomatic messaging towards viral “shitposting,” using absurdity, humor and provocation to capture attention. New ISD analysis highlights the significant impact of this shift 👉 www.isdglobal.org/digital-disp...

Iran's diplomats launch a meme war - Institute for Strategic Dialogue

Iranian officials are using provocative, ironic content to go viral, driving massive engagement and reshaping state messaging during the war.

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ISD Analysts identified a 68 percent increase in online content classified as antisemitic in the week following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. This surge preceded an increase in offline violence targeting Jewish communities ⬇️ www.isdglobal.org/digital-disp...

The impact of the war with Iran on antisemitic discourse - Institute for Strategic Dialogue

Post-Iran strikes, antisemitic content surged 68%, preceding global attacks on Jewish institutions & signaling a heightened off risk environment.

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Canadian domestic extremism update ⬇️ As part of a multi-year study to better understand the Canadian domestic extremism landscape, ISD has identified a total of 749 social media accounts ranging from anti-Muslim extremists and white supremacists to neo-Nazis and extreme right accelerationists.

Online Domestic Extremism in Canada Data Briefing – June to November 2025 - Institute for Strategic Dialogue

This briefing analyzes Canadian extremists’ online activity, their platforms and topics of choice and how they're targeting communities in Canada.

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