The Program on Extremism at The George Washington University

What The Program on Extremism at The George Washington University does

The Program on Extremism at The George Washington University is an academic research center founded in 2015 and housed within The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. It conducts empirical research on all forms of extremism, producing publications, policy analyses, and primary-source documentation that are aimed at policymakers, civic leaders, academic researchers, and the general public. Its core outputs include the Nexus publication platform (which monitors Islamic State and Al-Qaeda affiliates across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia via a global network of subject-matter experts and locally-based researchers), the Antisemitism Research Initiative headed by Dr. Omar Mohammed, "Trackers" monitoring tools, training programs, and a portfolio of podcast series (Echoes of Terrorism, The Threat, Intifada, 36 Minutes on Antisemitism, Mosul and the Islamic State, Civic Minutes: On Hatred, Inside Baseball). Notable research artifacts include 'The Long Jihad: How Islamic State Wages Forever Wars' and Mosul Eye oral history documentation of life under ISIS occupation.

The program operates on a non-commercial revenue model, funded through George Washington University budgets, grants, and donations solicited via the university's giving page; no pricing is publicly disclosed and there are no disclosed funding rounds, M&A activity, or independent financial statements. Distribution is achieved through the extremism.gwu.edu website, Substack, podcast networks (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc.), social channels (X, Bluesky), earned media, events, and training engagements. Institutional partnerships with NCITE/DHS, ICCT, IOM, ICSR, UNESCO, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and M&C Saatchi, alongside recognition such as Dr. Mohammed's 'Researcher of the Year' from Iraq's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, anchor its standing in the counter-extremism research community.

Name

The Program on Extremism at The George Washington University

Legal name

The Program on Extremism at The George Washington University

Website

https://extremism.gwu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Program on Extremism is an academic research center at The George Washington University that produces empirical research, the Nexus platform, podcasts, and trainings on extremism for policymakers, civic leaders, researchers, and the public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Analysis

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAFAO

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Civil Rights, Advocacy & Public Policy Organizations

SECONDARYEDADADAA

Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Policy, Research & Think Tanks

Keywords

• Extremism research
• Counter-terrorism analysis
• Policy research
• Radicalization studies
• Antisemitism research

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington, D.C.

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Program on Extremism conducts empirical academic research on all forms of extremism (antisemitism, domestic extremism, global jihadism, Islamism) and disseminates findings through research publications, the Nexus analysis platform, podcasts, a Substack newsletter, training programs, and policy recommendations. Its work is directed at policymakers, civic leaders, governmental agencies, and the general public, producing pragmatic policy solutions grounded in original research.

Product overview

The Program on Extremism at George Washington University is an academic research center founded in 2015 that operates as a unified research and dissemination platform rather than a traditional product company. Its portfolio consists primarily of research publications (including the Nexus analysis platform and Substack newsletter), multiple podcast series covering extremism topics (Echoes of Terrorism, The Threat, 36 Minutes on Antisemitism, Mosul and the Islamic State, Civic Minutes: On Hatred, Inside Baseball, Intifada), tracking tools for monitoring extremist activities, and training programs. The organization functions as a think tank producing empirical research and pragmatic policy solutions, with its products primarily being educational content, analysis, and publications rather than commercial software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Antisemitism Research Initiative: Research initiative within the Program on Extremism focused on studying antisemitism, headed by Dr. Omar Mohammed
• Nexus
• The Threat - PoE Substack
• Civic Minutes: On Hatred
• Echoes of Terrorism
• Inside Baseball
• The Threat
• 36 Minutes on Antisemitism
• Mosul and the Islamic State

Products and services

• Echoes of Terrorism A podcast series exploring themes of terrorism and extremism through in-depth discussions and analysis, targeted at researchers, policymakers, and the general public.
• Inside Baseball A podcast series providing analytical commentary on political and security matters related to extremism, aimed at informed policy and media audiences.
• The Threat (Podcast) A podcast series examining current threats from extremist groups, featuring expert analysis and discussion for policymakers and general listeners.
• Intifada: Hamas in the U.S. - Then and Now A podcast examining the history and current state of Hamas-related activities in the United States, targeted at researchers, policymakers, and the informed public.
• 36 Minutes on Antisemitism A podcast series discussing the rise of antisemitism globally, featuring policymakers and officials worldwide. Hosted by Dr. Omar Mohammed.
• Mosul and the Islamic State A podcast series telling untold stories from inside the Islamic State's reign of terror over Mosul, the pursuit of justice in its aftermath, and the enduring struggle of its people for a better future. Hosted by Omar Mohammed and written by Haroro Ingram.
• Civic Minutes: On Hatred A short-form podcast series delivering focused, reflective conversations on hate, identity, and democracy in two to three minute episodes, featuring Dr. h.c. Katharina von Schnurbein, the European Commission's Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism.
• Nexus An online publication platform drawing on global experts and locally-based researchers to monitor Islamic State and Al-Qaeda affiliates across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, analyzing the interplay of forces driving or constraining the global Islamic State and Al-Qaeda nexus. Accessible to experts from academia, policy, and media.
• The Threat (PoE Substack) A Substack-based publication providing analyses and commentary on extremism threats to policymakers, researchers, and the public.
• Trackers Monitoring and tracking tools for extremist activities and organizations, used by researchers, analysts, and policy professionals.
• Trainings Training programs and educational resources on extremism-related topics for professionals and institutions.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2022Joint grant collaboration with Department of Homeland Security - Science and Technology Directorate focusing on the current landscape of repatriation and reintegration of foreign terrorist fighter families. The Program on Extremism and NCITE co-hosted online discussions on counterterrorism innovation and technology.
• Crisis and Support Center of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign AffairsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsored the 'Green Mosul' initiative launched in March 2021 at Northern Technical University, supporting tree planting and climate action in Mosul as part of postwar stabilization efforts. Over 9000 trees planted through this initiative.
• International Centre for Counter-Terrorism – The Hague (ICCT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICCT Senior Research Fellow Julie Coleman leads the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) Programme. Collaborative participation in repatriation and reintegration research discussions.
• United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIOM Acting Deputy Chief Siobhan Simojojo participated in practitioner discussions on repatriation and reintegration of foreign terrorist fighters and their families.
• International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICSR Senior Research Fellow Gina Vale participated in practitioner lens discussions on repatriation and reintegration of foreign terrorist fighter families.
• M&C Saatchi World ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociate Fellow Gina Vale holds position at M&C Saatchi World Services, representing cross-sector collaboration in radicalisation research.
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram Research Fellow Omar Mohammed served as Senior Consultant at UNESCO from 2018 to 2023, focusing on cultural heritage project management in Iraq and the Middle East.
• The George Washington UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe program is established within and supported by The George Washington University, providing institutional affiliation and academic framework.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Atlantic Council: International affairs forum with programs on global security, counterterrorism, and Middle East. Comparable on policy analysis and convening, though the program is more narrowly focused on extremism.
• RAND Corporation: Global policy research institution with substantive counterterrorism and counter-extremism portfolios. Comparable on policy-grade research output and government contracting, though far larger and broader.
• Brookings Institution: Large, generalist Washington think tank with work on terrorism, foreign policy, and Middle East. Broader portfolio than the program but overlapping on extremism policy research and governance audience.
• Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): Bipartisan Washington think tank with significant programs on security, terrorism, and Middle East. Overlaps with the program on policy research and convening; broader and better-funded.

Direct peers

• International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR): King's College London-based academic research center studying radicalisation and political violence. Highly comparable to the Program on Extremism in mission, academic methodology, and policy audience; one of the program's named research partners.
• Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD): Washington-based policy institute covering terrorism, foreign policy, and national security. Overlaps with the program on extremism research, Middle East analysis, and policy advocacy.
• Combating Terrorism Center at West Point (CTC): U.S. Army-funded academic center producing open-source research on terrorism and counterterrorism. Directly comparable in academic rigor, primary-source methodology, and policy readership.
• The Soufan Center: Independent, non-partisan research center focused on global security and violent extremism. Comparable in producing policy briefs, public commentary, and analytical products on extremism and counterterrorism.
• International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT): The Hague-based counter-terrorism research and policy center with a P/CVE programme. Closely comparable in counter-extremism research focus and policy engagement; listed as a core strategic partner of the program.

Regional players

• Middle East Institute (MEI): Washington-based think tank producing research on Middle East policy, security, and society. Compares on regional research focus and policy audience, though broader than pure extremism studies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gwupoe
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCj9SxXNalSa8eyulvJmOcIA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/programonextremism

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Program on Extremism at The George Washington University