The assassination of Charlie Kirk resulted in the largest spike in violent rhetoric in our dataset, with popular posts claiming Kirk’s death would lead to civil war while others called for the “public execution” for Kirk’s killer.
The latest stats below. www.isdglobal.org/publication/...
Conspiratorial narratives were also especially prominent, particularly among supporters of Romana Didulo—leader of a sovereigntist conspiracy movement and self-described Queen of the “Kingdom of Canada.” www.isdglobal.org/publication/...
This incl. the promotion of anti-Black racism & anti-migrant sentiment, often framed within a broader discussion of a threat to white identity. www.isdglobal.org/publication/...
Extremist discussion during the 6-month period analyzed, between June and November 2025, centred on a perceived institutional and cultural decline in Canada, attributed to “globalist influences” and progressive ideologies.
www.isdglobal.org/publication/...
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.
These findings show that, despite presenting themselves as innocuous fitness clubs, AC groups can pose a significant threat to public safety should their members act on their online rhetoric.
Read the full Dispatch below. www.isdglobal.org/digital-disp...
Some of the members also show a desire to commit violence—alluding to their belief that they will be free to take action once US political conditions are in their favor. www.isdglobal.org/digital-disp...
ISD’s recent Dispatch analyzed X posts between October 2024 and December 2025 by six individuals assessed to be AC members. These individuals predominantly targeted Black and Jewish communities with racist, dehumanizing and eliminationist rhetoric in their posts. www.isdglobal.org/digital-disp...
The AC network is a collection of decentralized White supremacist groups centered around physical fitness and martial arts. Traditionally, these groups have put forth nonviolent public messaging. ISD’s findings represent a departure from this trend. www.isdglobal.org/digital-disp...
ISD research revealed that US Active Club (AC) members are using personal X accounts to call for violence against racial and religious minorities, public officials and perceived ideological opponents. www.isdglobal.org/digital-disp...
The takeaway is simple: a small number of coordinated accounts can generate massive reach—especially in times of conflict and crises—and these tactics extend far beyond any single network.
Read our findings below. www.isdglobal.org/digital-disp...
Additionally, content from BRICS4CLICKS was also shared by Iranian embassies, a Russian diplomat and state media commentators, highlighting how far this material can travel (though there is no evidence the networks are state-backed). www.isdglobal.org/digital-disp...
Nearly two-thirds of accounts purchased X Premium to gain blue check verification, and reposting patterns showed high levels of in-network coordination—pointing to how platform features and amplification loops can rapidly scale content.
While BRICS4CLICKS presented itself as a network of global news outlets, Verified4War mostly presented themselves as parody and political commentary accounts. Despite these differences, both pushed near-identical pro-Iran narratives. www.isdglobal.org/digital-disp...
ISD has dubbed these two networks BRICS4CLICKS and Verified4War, which together used fewer than 50 accounts to drive roughly 16 million likes and 3.5 million reposts.
www.isdglobal.org/digital-disp...
False claims about Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s death, claims of Iran shooting down a US B-2 bomber before “kidnapping the entire crew,” and AI-generated videos of an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv were just some of the content pushed by these networks.
In the first month of the Iran conflict, ISD analysts uncovered two pro-Iran networks on X that jointly achieved over 1 billion views by amplifying AI slop and memes.
It shows how quickly coordinated content can scale through platform dynamics ⬇️
www.isdglobal.org/digital-disp...
The authors cited ISD research into Iranian information operations to illustrate the muddled information environments mayors must contend with in their role: an additional complexity of the modern era for local leadership. Read the full article below.
A current and a former mayor, both part of ISD’s Strong Cities network, recently wrote for Just Security discussing how leaders can prepare for this type of violence.
Targeted violence is a growing issue across the US—forcing local leaders to identify how to grapple with this threat.
We’re now accepting applications for the role of Special Assistant to ISD’s CEO! ⬇️
Work directly at the heart of ISD’s leadership, shaping communication, supporting administration, as well as key projects across teams on local and international levels. Think you'd be a good fit? More details below!
It also created a digital monitoring dashboard and delivered training, media campaigns and youth-led initiatives reaching thousands across Jordan.
Read more about the event and the project below:
The project produced six research papers on online hate speech, developed a national framework and definition to inform policy, and supported coordination between government, media, civil society and law enforcement.
ISD Jordan, I-Dare Sustainable Development and Saba Hamlet, marked the conclusion of a two-year EU-funded project on countering online hate speech in Jordan.
Deadline: 19 April 2026 ⬇️
ISD is looking for a Swedish-speaking research consultant to support a new project focused on the September 2026 Swedish parliamentary elections.
Think you'd be a good fit? More details below! isdglobal.recruitee.com/o/consultant-research-an...
Work directly at the heart of ISD’s leadership, shaping communication, supporting administration, as well as key projects across teams on local and international levels.
Think you'd be a good fit? More details below!
Deadline: 20 April 2026
Want to work with a CEO?
We’re now accepting applications for the role of Special Assistant to ISD’s CEO!
Our work is referenced across every section of the report and includes testimony ISD’s Milo Comerford gave to the committee on the challenges the Prevent programme faces and our recent work on nihilistic violence.
Read the full report below.
ISD is cited extensively in the recent UK Home Affairs Committee report on combatting new forms of extremism. The report draws heavily on ISD research into the role of online spaces as environments for young extremists to socialise, recruit others and reinforce their ideas.
Throughout the discussion, Sasha answered questions about foreign adversaries’ use of generative AI, and the safety risks associated with AI chatbots—particularly for young people. Watch the full event here.