Leading the Conversation
NCITE experts regularly weigh in on important topics in national, state, and local media.
June
Counterterrorism expert discusses antisemitic attacks, radicalization in the U.S.
June 4, 2025 | NPR Morning Edition
NCITE Senior Research Faculty Seamus Hughes offers insight into a disturbing pattern of antisemitic attacks on NPR's Morning Edition.
April
April 23, 2025 | Stories from the Lab
NCITE Research Associate Angie Benda talked about the Industrial-Organizational Psychology field for an episode of the "Stories from the Lab" podcast.
April 11, 2025 | Chapman News
Pete Simi, NCITE researcher and professor at Chapman University, was mentioned for co-authoring a paper about the increase of threats to public officials over the last decade.
April 1, 2025 | New Statesman
NCITE researcher and co-director of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR), Shiraz Maher wrote an article about the division and violence that has occurred since the fall of the Assad regime, and the ways in which the group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has sought to stabilize the country.
March
The Rise and Fall of Terrorgram
March 25, 2025 | PBS Frontline
Pete Simi, NCITE researcher and professor at Chapman University, was interviewed for a documentary about the Terrorgram collective, which was a group on Telegram, a messaging app, that encouraged people to commit violent acts in the hopes of sparking a race war that would result in a white ethno-state, and has been connected to acts of violence. He said, "Especially given the broader climate that exists within our society. There will be new Terrorgrams that take its place by another name, and we will continue to see this kind of extremism propagated through platforms of various sorts, not just Telegram."
Why extreme violence in the US has police trying new tactics
March 21, 2025 | The Christian Science Monitor
NCITE Director Gina Ligon was quoted in an article about extremist crime and violence, saying that things like "beautiful security," including large pots with vegetation, "can serve the purpose of bollards but also not make people feel like they’re living in a security state.”
MSU center trains law enforcement on cybercrime threats, first of its kind in the country
March 19, 2025 | Michigan State University Today
Tom Holt, NCITE researcher and director of the Michigan State University Center for Cybercrime Investigation and Education, talked about the center in an article about its first event. He said: “Technology changes quickly, and so do offender behaviors. The more information we can provide to criminal justice professionals, the better they can understand and protect the community.”
Orange County man reportedly stole Humvees, uniforms, gear from Army
March 19, 2025 | KTLA5
Seamus Hughes, NCITE researcher and Court Watch editor, was mentioned for his reporting on a man accused of stealing U.S. Army gear.
UNO Business students Use AI to Hone Strategic Decision-Making
March 10, 2025 | University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Business Administration
Erin Bass and Erin Pleggenkuhle-Miles, NCITE researchers and professors of management, were featured in an article for introducing students to AI and supporting students with AI use during their classes.
March 10, 2025 | 13 News Now
NCITE researcher and founder of Valens Global Daveed Gartenstein-Ross's testimony to the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence was quoted in the article. He said: "The internet has transformed how violent extremists' beliefs form spread and evolve."
Is Strength Really the Only Language Terrorists Listen To? | Opinion
March 7, 2025 | Newsweek
This article shared research from Martha Crenshaw, NCITE researcher and emeritus professor of political science at Stanford University, about the small impact that retaliatory attacks, UN resolutions, and increased punishments for terrorists had on terrorism.
NCITE reports more threats to public officials than ever recorded in 2024
March 4, 2025 | KETV 7
NCITE Director Gina Ligon commented on NCITE research about threats to public officials. She said: "It just rises every year... Across all different types of sectors, health care, education, elected officials, law enforcement."
The Digital Battlefield
March 4, 2025 | Foundation for Defense of Democracies
NCITE researcher and founder of Valens Global Daveed Gartenstein-Ross provided testimony to the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence about targeted violence and terrorism with ideologies that don't neatly fit into traditional ideologies or categories.
February
University partnerships working toward safer schools in Nebraska
Feb. 21, 2025 | Nebraska Today
NCITE researcher and director of the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center Mario Scalora was quoted in an article about research, trainings, and education about emergency preparedness and response in schools. He said: “We need to take a holistic approach to school safety. It’s not just about preventing shootings. It’s about providing tools to support students and staff across a broad array of challenges.”
The Digital Shield: Using Cyber Diplomacy to Strengthen National Cyber Resilience
Feb. 9, 2025 | Georgetown Security Studies Review
A contribution co-authored by Thomas Renard, director of the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT) and member of the International Academic Partnerships for Science and Security (IAPSS) consortium was mentioned in an article about cyber diplomacy.
January
Trial begins for neo-Nazi leader accused of plotting to blow up Maryland's power grid
Jan. 28, 2025 | The Baltimore Banner
NCITE research about federal charges against Atomwaffen Division was cited in an article discussing the trial of the group's founder.
The University of Maine announces its new criminal justice program
Jan. 22, 2025 | Bangor Daily News
Karyn Sporer, NCITE researcher and associate professor at the University of Maine, talked about a new criminal justice major offered at the University of Maine. She said: "It's like a whole new world for us, and I'm really excited that even having the UMaine police department on standby and really getting our students to understand the reality of not just working in criminal justice but who is impacted by the justice system and how can we do it in a smart and equitable way."
Climate of fear is driving local officials to quit - new study from California finds threats, abuse rampant
Jan. 17, 2025 | The Conversation
NCITE research about threats against public officials was cited in an article detailing the high levels of harassment and threats that local public officials in California face.
Why the Terrorgram Collective Designation Matters
Jan. 15, 2025 | Lawfare
Camden Carmichael, NCITE student worker, and Seamus Hughes, NCITE senior research faculty and policy associate, were co-authors on an article about the Terrorgram Collective and the impact of its designation as a transnational terrorist group.
How do people become radicalized? Can we DE-radicalize them?
Jan. 15, 2025 | WWL First News
Gina Ligon, NCITE director, talked about the New Orleans attack, radicalization and deradicalization, and more.
Sanctioning of global white supremacist terrorism group rattles U.S. extremist members
Jan. 14, 2025 | The Raw Story
Seamus Hughes, NCITE senior research faculty and policy associate, spoke about the U.S. State Department categorizing the Terrorgram Collective as a "specially designated global terrorist" organization, saying, “This is the first time you’ve seen a white supremacist group that had members or supporters in the U.S. receive the designation."
School software data breach: What Jackson and Hillsdale parents & students should watch out for
Jan. 13, 2025 | Fox 47 News
NCITE researcher Thomas Holt, professor at Michigan State University, talked about a potential data breach affecting schools in Michigan. He said, "The biggest risks, at the moment, seem to be around the potential for 'phishing' of parents, teachers, educational institutions, and students."
Michigan State University cybercrime training prepares community for cyber attacks
Jan. 10, 2025 | News Channel 3
NCITE researcher Thomas Holt, professor at Michigan State University, discussed the free trainings about combating cybercrime offered to government agencies. He said: "Technology changes rapidly ... We know that there is always some new app or some new AI program that means that offenders change their behavior as often as technology changes. Our hope is to be able to get people a little bit ahead of that curve and know what is happening right now."
Before Las Vegas, Intel Analysts Warned That Bomb Makers Were Turning to AI
Jan. 8, 2025 | Wired
Seamus Hughes, NCITE senior research faculty and policy associate, commented on the use of AI by extremists to plan attacks. He said: “We’ve also seen the use of AI as a key tool to lowering the bar for entry into an attack ... be it helping with plot planning, kicking around ideas for violent actions without triggering law enforcement scrutiny, and helping them enhance their propaganda output.”
New Orleans Attack
NCITE experts from throughout the consoritum responded quickly to news of the New Year's Day terrorist attack in New Orleans.
- Local Insight on the New Orleans Terror Attack
- Jan. 1, 2025 | KETV7
- The Context interview with Gina Ligon
- Jan. 2, 2025 | BBC News
- Authorities have charged at least 3 other alleged ISIS sympathizers in recent months
- Jan. 2, 2025 | CNN
- The New Orleans attacker was inspired by ISIS. How much of a threat does the group pose to the US?
- Jan. 2, 2025 | The Independent
- Experts: ISIS uses social media to radicalize Americans to commit acts of terror
- Jan. 2, 2025 | 13 News
- Islamic State group-inspired New Orleans attack revives familiar fears
- Jan. 2, 2025 | VOA
- How ISIS may have inspired the deadly truck attack in New Orleans
- Jan. 3, 2025 | CBC/Radio Canada
- Could FBI Have Prevented New Orleans Terror Attack?
- Jan. 3, 2025 | Newsweek
- FBI returns to Houston home of New Orleans terror attack suspect
- Jan. 3, 2025 | ABC13
- On New Orleans, Las Vegas, Virginia, and the Threat of Improvised Explosive Devices
- Jan. 3, 2025 | Lawfare
- ‘A perfect storm’: Extremism online and political polarization are increasing the risk of attacks, experts say
- Jan. 4, 2025 | NBC News
- Meta smart glasses worn by New Orleans attacker
- Jan. 6, 2025 | NBC News
- Chaos on Bourbon Street: The Growing Threat of 'Rampage Terrorism'
- Jan. 10, 2025 | George Mason University
- How do people become radicalized? Can we DE-radicalize them?
- Jan. 15, 2025 | WWL First News