Jason Blazakis
@jason-blazakis.bsky.social
I am the Executive Director (and Professor) of the Middlebury Institute's Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism. I am sanctioned by Vladimir Putin and once headed up the State Department's counterterrorism sanctions office.
Appreciated the chance to speak with the @washingtonpost.com about recent terrorist-related policy decisions made by the Trump Admin. I can’t recall a time when 4 FTOS were added to the list and not one death has been attributed to them. That is bonkers. That is politics.
BLUF: The Trump admin will add 4 European “violent Antifa” groups US FTO list on 20 November. CTEC Director @jason-blazakis.bsky.social notes, for @washingtonpost.com, the groups “don’t have one fatality associated with their activity.” www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Trump recasts foreign terror list to focus on ‘Antifa,’ cartels
The administration is making an unprecedented expansion, designating entities in Europe and Latin America not typically a focus of U.S. counterterrorism efforts.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Appreciated the chance to speak with the @washingtonpost.com about recent terrorist-related policy decisions made by the Trump Admin. I can’t recall a time when 4 FTOS were added to the list and not one death has been attributed to them. That is bonkers. That is politics.
I joined NPR’s Kera News to discuss the Prairieland ICE shooting and what the DOJ’s case could mean for future “#Antifa” prosecutions.
The violence was real—but linking it to a centralized Antifa structure is a stretch. We need more evidence, not more labels.
🔗 www.keranews.org/criminal-jus...
The violence was real—but linking it to a centralized Antifa structure is a stretch. We need more evidence, not more labels.
🔗 www.keranews.org/criminal-jus...
How will Trump’s DOJ prosecute ‘antifa?’ The Prairieland ICE shooting trial could be the playbook
“Antifa” is now at the center of the Justice Department's case against two people charged for their alleged roles in a North Texas ICE detention center shooting. How it plays out in court could be ind...
www.keranews.org
November 2, 2025 at 4:08 PM
I joined NPR’s Kera News to discuss the Prairieland ICE shooting and what the DOJ’s case could mean for future “#Antifa” prosecutions.
The violence was real—but linking it to a centralized Antifa structure is a stretch. We need more evidence, not more labels.
🔗 www.keranews.org/criminal-jus...
The violence was real—but linking it to a centralized Antifa structure is a stretch. We need more evidence, not more labels.
🔗 www.keranews.org/criminal-jus...
Reposted by Jason Blazakis
New from CTEC, our Director, @jason-blazakis.bsky.social , is featured on NPR discussing the controversial topic of whether #antifa should be designated as a terrorist organization. His expertise adds critical context to this evolving discussion. Listen to the segment:
www.npr.org/2025/10/28/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/28/n...
As Trump talks of designating antifa a foreign terrorist group, experts see danger
The designation would have, as one domestic terrorism expert told NPR, a "cascading effect across civil society, including social media organizations, civic organizations and everything in between."
www.npr.org
October 29, 2025 at 1:54 PM
New from CTEC, our Director, @jason-blazakis.bsky.social , is featured on NPR discussing the controversial topic of whether #antifa should be designated as a terrorist organization. His expertise adds critical context to this evolving discussion. Listen to the segment:
www.npr.org/2025/10/28/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/28/n...
I spoke with NPR's Morning Edition about the latest debate over designating #Antifa as a foreign terrorist organization. If pursued, the impact will be profound. Listen here: www.npr.org/2025/10/28/n...
As Trump talks of designating antifa a foreign terrorist group, experts see danger
The designation would have, as one domestic terrorism expert told NPR, a "cascading effect across civil society, including social media organizations, civic organizations and everything in between."
www.npr.org
October 29, 2025 at 2:22 PM
I spoke with NPR's Morning Edition about the latest debate over designating #Antifa as a foreign terrorist organization. If pursued, the impact will be profound. Listen here: www.npr.org/2025/10/28/n...
I appreciated the chance to join @ajepodcasts.bsky.social - The Take - to discuss the recent Trump Admin focus on Antifa. You can find the convo at YT, Apple, and Spotify
YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DYE...
Apple pods: podcasts.apple.com/.../why-is......
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5RRk...
YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DYE...
Apple pods: podcasts.apple.com/.../why-is......
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5RRk...
Why is Trump targeting antifa under terrorism laws? | The Take
YouTube video by Al Jazeera English
www.youtube.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:49 PM
I appreciated the chance to join @ajepodcasts.bsky.social - The Take - to discuss the recent Trump Admin focus on Antifa. You can find the convo at YT, Apple, and Spotify
YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DYE...
Apple pods: podcasts.apple.com/.../why-is......
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5RRk...
YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DYE...
Apple pods: podcasts.apple.com/.../why-is......
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5RRk...
My latest for @latimes.com. Simply put, Trump’s recent order on domestic terrorism is more about politics than national security. www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
October 14, 2025 at 11:29 AM
My latest for @latimes.com. Simply put, Trump’s recent order on domestic terrorism is more about politics than national security. www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Appreciated the time that @keranews.org @npr.org took to examine the underlying motives behind this deadly attack against a DHS ICE facility. Check it out 👇
Recently, CTEC Exec Director @jason-blazakis.bsky.social spoke with @keranews.org @npr.org about the recent attack against an ICE facility in Texas. TLDR of it is this, pinning the attack on ideology misses the mark: www.keranews.org/news/2025-10...
Dallas ICE shooting: Politics and ideology — or notoriety and fame?
Shooting at Dallas ICE field office that killed detainees follows pattern for political assassins whose motives are less about ideology and more about notoriety.
www.keranews.org
October 8, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Appreciated the time that @keranews.org @npr.org took to examine the underlying motives behind this deadly attack against a DHS ICE facility. Check it out 👇
Reposted by Jason Blazakis
🚨OUT NOW🚨
Trump keeps talking about cracking down on “left wing terror networks” in the US. This appears like a blatant move to crackdown on his enemies – so what is the real state of domestic terrorism in America? @jason-blazakis.bsky.social & @jacobjarvis.bsky.social discuss 👉 linktr.ee/bunker_pod
Trump keeps talking about cracking down on “left wing terror networks” in the US. This appears like a blatant move to crackdown on his enemies – so what is the real state of domestic terrorism in America? @jason-blazakis.bsky.social & @jacobjarvis.bsky.social discuss 👉 linktr.ee/bunker_pod
October 7, 2025 at 8:14 AM
🚨OUT NOW🚨
Trump keeps talking about cracking down on “left wing terror networks” in the US. This appears like a blatant move to crackdown on his enemies – so what is the real state of domestic terrorism in America? @jason-blazakis.bsky.social & @jacobjarvis.bsky.social discuss 👉 linktr.ee/bunker_pod
Trump keeps talking about cracking down on “left wing terror networks” in the US. This appears like a blatant move to crackdown on his enemies – so what is the real state of domestic terrorism in America? @jason-blazakis.bsky.social & @jacobjarvis.bsky.social discuss 👉 linktr.ee/bunker_pod
Reposted by Jason Blazakis
🚨 New Op-Ed in the @inquirer.com Inquirer 🚨by CTEC Exec. Director @jason-blazakis.bsky.social . Trump’s new order labeling #Antifa a “domestic terrorist organization” isn’t about public safety — it’s about political power. Read Here:
www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...
www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...
www.inquirer.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:51 PM
🚨 New Op-Ed in the @inquirer.com Inquirer 🚨by CTEC Exec. Director @jason-blazakis.bsky.social . Trump’s new order labeling #Antifa a “domestic terrorist organization” isn’t about public safety — it’s about political power. Read Here:
www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...
www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...
Thanks to @oyousef.bsky.social for capturing why a terrorist designation of #Antifa shouldn't be in the cards and why such a maneuver by #Trump would be illegal. I wrote about this in detail for @slate.com in 2020. Read my Slate piece and the great article below by NPR... slate.com/news-and-pol...
September 22, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Thanks to @oyousef.bsky.social for capturing why a terrorist designation of #Antifa shouldn't be in the cards and why such a maneuver by #Trump would be illegal. I wrote about this in detail for @slate.com in 2020. Read my Slate piece and the great article below by NPR... slate.com/news-and-pol...
Congrats Olivia! Looking forward to seeing the results of your research.
We are thrilled to announce that Olivia Kilborn is CTEC’s Michael Donnelly Fellow for Fall 2025. She’ll study the rhetoric connecting eco-fascist subcultures and far-right European parties—work with real implications for counter-extremism practice. Read more: www.middlebury.edu/institute/ac...
The Michael Donnelly CTEC Research Fellowship
www.middlebury.edu
September 19, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Congrats Olivia! Looking forward to seeing the results of your research.
Will #neverforget.
CTEC Exec Director, @jason-blazakis.bsky.social, joined @npr.org on All Things Considered to reflect on the 24th Anniversary of #9/11 and how the counterterrorism mission of the USG has evolved. He joined @colinpclarke.bsky.social & @oyousef.bsky.social
www.npr.org/2025/09/11/n...
www.npr.org/2025/09/11/n...
What counterterrorism looks like in the U.S. 24 years after 9/11
The Sept. 11 attacks of 24 years ago led to unprecedented investment in counterterrorism resources. Today, the terrorism landscape is more complex than ever, and some say the country is less prepared.
www.npr.org
September 12, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Will #neverforget.
Reposted by Jason Blazakis
New CTEC publication: "Hermetic Hatred" demonstrates how antisemitism survives by adapting its narrative architecture—from theology to politics to today’s platforms. Maps key tropes, transmission routes, and practical takeaways for policy & T&S.
www.middlebury.edu/institute/ac...
www.middlebury.edu/institute/ac...
Hermetic Hatred: How Antisemitism's Architectural Framework Survives Theology, Politics, and Progress
This article examines antisemitism not as sporadic prejudice, but as a sophisticated ideological architecture that has preserved its structural integrity across nearly two millennia while adapting its...
www.middlebury.edu
September 2, 2025 at 6:46 PM
New CTEC publication: "Hermetic Hatred" demonstrates how antisemitism survives by adapting its narrative architecture—from theology to politics to today’s platforms. Maps key tropes, transmission routes, and practical takeaways for policy & T&S.
www.middlebury.edu/institute/ac...
www.middlebury.edu/institute/ac...
The latest by @ctecmiis.bsky.social maps the transmission routes that allow for the spread of #antisemitism. 📖👇🏻
New CTEC publication: "Hermetic Hatred" demonstrates how antisemitism survives by adapting its narrative architecture—from theology to politics to today’s platforms. Maps key tropes, transmission routes, and practical takeaways for policy & T&S.
www.middlebury.edu/institute/ac...
www.middlebury.edu/institute/ac...
Hermetic Hatred: How Antisemitism's Architectural Framework Survives Theology, Politics, and Progress
This article examines antisemitism not as sporadic prejudice, but as a sophisticated ideological architecture that has preserved its structural integrity across nearly two millennia while adapting its...
www.middlebury.edu
September 2, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The latest by @ctecmiis.bsky.social maps the transmission routes that allow for the spread of #antisemitism. 📖👇🏻
Check out the latest paper from @middleburycollege.bsky.social @ctecmiis.bsky.social that explores intersections between violent misogyny and antisemitism. 📖👇🏻
New from CTEC: Binary Breeding Grounds: How the Manosphere Manufactures Modern Antisemitism. A review on how misogynist online ecosystems braid antisemitic frames via recommender systems & influencer escalation—and what platforms, researchers, and educators can do. www.middlebury.edu/institute/ac...
Binary Breeding Grounds: How the Manosphere Manufactures Modern Antisemitism
This study examines how the manosphere has become a digital breeding ground for modern antisemitism, systematically integrating conspiracy theories with masculine grievance narratives. Through analysi...
www.middlebury.edu
August 28, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Check out the latest paper from @middleburycollege.bsky.social @ctecmiis.bsky.social that explores intersections between violent misogyny and antisemitism. 📖👇🏻
Very excited to be working with @universitypress.cambridge.org on this forthcoming book, Terror Disrupted, which examines, amongst other things, countering the financing of groups like ISIS, al-Qa'ida, and the extreme far right. Preorder:
www.amazon.com/Terror-Disru...
www.amazon.com/Terror-Disru...
August 26, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Very excited to be working with @universitypress.cambridge.org on this forthcoming book, Terror Disrupted, which examines, amongst other things, countering the financing of groups like ISIS, al-Qa'ida, and the extreme far right. Preorder:
www.amazon.com/Terror-Disru...
www.amazon.com/Terror-Disru...
Fantastic piece by Paula Granger featured by @ctecmiis.bsky.social. Give it a read👇🏻
New from CTEC: Paula Granger’s “Crowdsourced Political Violence.” Online spaces lower barriers to mobilization—fostering leaderless resistance. Literature review with practical takeaways for researchers, platforms and policymakers: methods, gaps, next steps. Read: www.middlebury.edu/institute/ac...
Crowdsourced Political Violence: A Literature Review on How the Internet Embodies Leaderless Resistance and Empowers Lone Actors
One of the most significant challenges and changes in political violence in modern times is not necessarily ideological but structural. The DHS and FBI identify lone offenders and small groups—particu...
www.middlebury.edu
August 18, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Fantastic piece by Paula Granger featured by @ctecmiis.bsky.social. Give it a read👇🏻
Today @ctecmiis.bsky.social published a guest author essay by @djrosenthal.bsky.social that examines the importance of strategic reconciliation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Check out this must read at: www.middlebury.edu/institute/ac...
Where the Olives and Sunflowers Grow: Strategic Reconciliation in the Israel-Palestinian Conflict
This article argues that achieving lasting peace in the Israel-Palestinian conflict necessitates moving beyond purely political solutions to embrace reconciliation, which is generally neglected. While...
www.middlebury.edu
August 5, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Today @ctecmiis.bsky.social published a guest author essay by @djrosenthal.bsky.social that examines the importance of strategic reconciliation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Check out this must read at: www.middlebury.edu/institute/ac...
Reposted by Jason Blazakis
CTEC Exec. Director @jason-blazakis.bsky.social just published for @justsecurity.org a piece looking at #Trump Admin decisions recently to delist HTS as an FTO in #Syria. Check it out at: www.justsecurity.org/117191/trump...
Trump Administration’s Delisting of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham
The move to delist HTS as an FTO is not without risk, especially when considering the lineage of the group.
www.justsecurity.org
July 18, 2025 at 1:47 PM
CTEC Exec. Director @jason-blazakis.bsky.social just published for @justsecurity.org a piece looking at #Trump Admin decisions recently to delist HTS as an FTO in #Syria. Check it out at: www.justsecurity.org/117191/trump...
As always, appreciate the chance to work with @justsecurity.org
The Trump administration has delisted Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
@jason-blazakis.bsky.social writes that while the move is not without its risks, considering HTS’s terrorist lineage.
www.justsecurity.org/117191/trump...
@jason-blazakis.bsky.social writes that while the move is not without its risks, considering HTS’s terrorist lineage.
www.justsecurity.org/117191/trump...
Trump Administration’s Delisting of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham
The move to delist HTS as an FTO is not without risk, especially when considering the lineage of the group.
www.justsecurity.org
July 18, 2025 at 2:04 PM
As always, appreciate the chance to work with @justsecurity.org
Key points, amongst many, include that HTS is still listed as a terrorist group per US law. As is jawlani, per state dept EO 13224 designation, and of course HTS and jawlani still listed at the UN. HTS not out of the woods yet.
CTEC Exec. Director @jason-blazakis.bsky.social just published for @justsecurity.org a piece looking at #Trump Admin decisions recently to delist HTS as an FTO in #Syria. Check it out at: www.justsecurity.org/117191/trump...
Trump Administration’s Delisting of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham
The move to delist HTS as an FTO is not without risk, especially when considering the lineage of the group.
www.justsecurity.org
July 18, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Key points, amongst many, include that HTS is still listed as a terrorist group per US law. As is jawlani, per state dept EO 13224 designation, and of course HTS and jawlani still listed at the UN. HTS not out of the woods yet.
Sadly, the #Trump Admin is sleeping on the transnational far-right threat. Active Clubs on the rise - in places like #Sweden - and they have links to U.S. based violent extremists. Groups like the Nordic Resistance Front remain a threat and are circumventing State Dept #sanctions. Read more below 🔽
Recently, CTEC Executive Director, @jason-blazakis.bsky.social, spoke with @wired.com about the threat posed by Active Clubs and how the State Department designated #terrorist group, Nordic Resistance Movement, has adapted to #sanctions. Read more at: www.wired.com/story/socal-...
A Swedish MMA Tournament Spotlights the Trump Administration's Handling of Far-Right Terrorism
A member of a California-based fight club seems to have attended an event hosted by groups with ties to an organization the US government labeled a terrorist group. Will the Trump administration care?
www.wired.com
July 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Sadly, the #Trump Admin is sleeping on the transnational far-right threat. Active Clubs on the rise - in places like #Sweden - and they have links to U.S. based violent extremists. Groups like the Nordic Resistance Front remain a threat and are circumventing State Dept #sanctions. Read more below 🔽
I am heading back to states today and was sure to add this to my photo library.
June 27, 2025 at 5:19 AM
I am heading back to states today and was sure to add this to my photo library.
Also, the CT Bureau at State Dept is losing amazing people to the "reduction in force" the process or "early retirements" (who can blame someone for retiring early from a chaotic administration). This will take years of rebuilding post Trump Admin. It will also make the US less safe.
Recently, CTEC Exec Director, @jason-blazakis.bsky.social, chatted with @tessowen.bsky.social of the @theguardian.com about recent State Dept. decisions on minimizing the importance of far-right violent extremism as a threat to US national security interests. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump administration is minimizing white supremacist threat, officials warn
Coming changes at the state department follow pattern of moving resources away from programs that focus on preventing far-right violence
www.theguardian.com
June 4, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Also, the CT Bureau at State Dept is losing amazing people to the "reduction in force" the process or "early retirements" (who can blame someone for retiring early from a chaotic administration). This will take years of rebuilding post Trump Admin. It will also make the US less safe.
