ICYMI: Editorial, Updated Resource Detail Al-Awlaki’s Online Radicalizing Influence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 30, 2016 Contact: media@counterextremism.com ICYMI: Editorial, Updated Resource Detail Al-Awlaki’s Online Radicalizing Influence  (New York, NY) – The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) today published an editorial and an updated resource detailing the radicalizing influence American-born radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki continues to exert, five years after his death. Al-Awlaki was the first U.S. citizen targeted by a U.S. drone strike (September 30, 2011) due to his role in taking the “lead in planning and directing efforts to murder innocent Americans,” according to President Barack Obama. Al-Awlaki also published detailed bomb-making instructions in AQAP’s online magazine, Inspire.  CEP CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace’s editorial published by Fox News details the extent of al-Awlaki’s connection with high profile terrorist attacks before and after his death and describes how the application of CEP’s eGLYPH technology could reduce the number of violence inciting al-Awlaki videos available on the Internet and social media platforms. CEP’s resource, Anwar al-Awlaki’s Ties to Extremists, has been updated with a Case study: Anwar al-Awlaki on Youtube, a detailed analysis, including statistics and quotes, from al-Awlaki videos readily available on YouTube. Al-Awlaki’s presence continues to grow on the platform. For example, a YouTube search for Anwar al-Awlaki yielded 68,200 results on September 28, 2016, as opposed to 61,900 on December 18, 2015. Additionally, CEP’s petition demanding that YouTube act to remove Anwar al-Awlaki videos from its platform has also been initiated and can be found here.   About the Counter Extremism Project The Counter Extremism Project is a not-for-profit, non-partisan, international policy organization formed to combat the growing threat from extremist ideology. Led by a renowned group of former world leaders and former diplomats, CEP combats extremism by pressuring financial support networks, countering the narrative of extremists and their online recruitment, and advocating for strong laws, policies and regulations.