About Us
The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) is a nonprofit and non-partisan international policy organization working to combat the growing threat posed by extremist ideologies.
Our Mission
CEP promotes a more moderate and secure society by educating the public and policymakers about the threats posed by extremist groups and ideologies. CEP also formulates programs that sever the financial, recruitment, and material support networks of extremist groups and their leaders, while respecting fundamental rights of the individual such as freedom of speech, thought, and conscience as well as universal equality under the law.
Our Values
Extremism begins with a disregard for others’ individual rights to free speech, thought, and conscience. Moderation and tolerance begin with the acceptance of others as free and autonomous individuals with dignity and inviolable rights to the same. A belief in the moderating force of individual rights as well as equal protection and opportunity under the law animate all of CEP’s programs and research activities. CEP’s dedication to independent, rigorous research and policy discussions seeks to encourage a more secure and prosperous future.
Our Work
CEP deploys education, advocacy, and communication tools to inform the public, media, academia, business leaders, and policymakers about the dangers posed by extremist ideologies and movements as well as their recruitment and operational tactics. CEP also partners with and provides support to counter-extremism, prevention, deradicalization, and rehabilitation/reintegration practitioners around the world.
CEP’s resources and support services serve as an important foundation for stakeholders to tackle extremists’ insidious ideologies that threaten moderate and tolerant societies, promote violence, and reject basic human rights.
Research and Analysis:
CEP’s experts have published research and analysis studies as well as policy papers and briefs on a broad range of topics concerning extremism and terrorism.
CEP also hosts a variety of events and policy discussions with subject matter experts. From jihadism to the transnationalism of right-wing extremist movements to the security situation in Afghanistan, CEP’s events are recorded and posted on our YouTube channel.
Additionally, CEP maintains an extensive research database on extremist groups and their networks of support as well as analysis resources.
CEP’s CounterPoint Blog is also where our experts share their analysis, follow the latest emerging threats in extremism and terrorism, and quickly respond to breaking news. CEP has published several series of blogposts on the ISIS insurgency in Syria and the prosecution of returning female foreign terrorist fighters to Europe as well as a monthly Afghanistan Terrorism Report after the Taliban’s takeover of the country in August 2021 and Sahel Monitoring that follows jihadi activities throughout the Sahel region.
Tech and Extremism Online:
CEP has pioneered efforts to combat extremists’ radicalization and recruitment tactics online. We use the latest communications and technological tools to identify and disrupt the spread of terrorist content online.
Prevention, Deradicalization, Rehabilitation/Reintegration:
As a trusted partner to both governmental and non-governmental organizations, CEP provides support to grassroots efforts to combat extremism as well as to research and intervention programs.
Counter Terrorist Financing:
CEP conducts extensive research on extremist groups’ financial pathways to identify, expose, and disrupt their financial, professional, and material support networks.
Policy Advocacy:
CEP serves as a resource to policymakers around the world as they work to enact laws and regulations to effectively combat extremism.