It is no secret that The New York Times has been consistently attempting to construct a narrative that supports leftist political causes and, in many cases, benefits Islamism – more precisely, political Islam, jihadism, and antisemitism. On March 19, 2026, it published an editorial titled “Trump’s Hypocrisy on Religious Freedom,” in which it attempted to argue that opposing the enforcement of Sharia rule constitutes “anti-Muslim hate.”
This editorial comes at a time when, in recent months, a large Muslim crowd in New York City can be heard chanting provocative slogans.
One speaker said: “Oh, don’t scare them, brothers! Relax! They’re over here on purpose to be like, ‘Oh my God!’ Who’s seen those videos where they’re like, ‘Oh my God, the Muslims are taking over New York City!’ Seen those? You seen those? Let them know that we are taking over New York City! Takbir!” The crowd responded with an enthusiastic “Allahu akbar.”
Meanwhile, despite concerns over the spread of Islamism, jihadism, and antisemitism in the United Kingdom – often linked to segments of migrant communities – London’s Pakistan-born mayor, Sadiq Khan, has urged that “British Christians should love their Muslim neighbors.” In Khan’s framing, Muslims are portrayed as passive and benign actors, bearing no responsibility for crimes such as mass sexual violence and other offenses committed by individuals claiming religious justification.
Western media and political actors, critics argue, continue to pursue a narrative that downplays or whitewashes the ideological goals of political Islam – namely, the establishment of Sharia rule or even a Caliphate in non-Muslim nations through gradual expansion.
The West struggles to see political Islam clearly
At the same time, counterterrorism experts are raising alarms about growing threats from within the United States.
As one assessment notes: “The US is being tested by a threat that is no longer distant, organized in foreign camps, or directed solely from abroad. It is increasingly diffuse, harder to detect, and more dangerous precisely because it grows from within. The rise in terrorist plots and attacks inspired by radicalism and extremism should alarm every American – not only because of their frequency but because of the conditions that allow them to take hold.”
Meanwhile, the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment, released by Tulsi Gabbard, indicates that the most significant terrorist risk facing the US now comes from individuals or small groups acting independently, driven by extreme beliefs. These actors are often not directly linked to larger organizations or guided by foreign groups, yet they remain influenced by ideologies that justify violence in response to perceived injustices.
According to experts, this shift represents a profound evolution in the threat landscape, as groups such as al-Qaeda and Islamic State may have lost much of their capacity to conduct large-scale coordinated attacks.
In my view, while this assessment may be partially accurate, it risks underestimating emerging threats. Western nations may still be unprepared for new forms of coordinated attacks that could involve lesser-known jihadist groups, as well as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah.
Most importantly, the Tehran regime appears to be steadily expanding its capacity to conduct various forms of terrorist activity, including targeted assassinations. This may involve recruiting and activating segments of the Iranian diaspora in the United States and Europe, some of whom may operate as covert agents for the IRGC or other Iranian intelligence bodies.
Reports also suggest that Iran maintains extensive espionage networks in Western countries, including Britain.
Among Iran’s proxy groups, Hamas remains one of the most prominent, consistently pursuing Tehran’s stated objective of eliminating Israel and opposing the United States.
Despite this, President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about achieving peace in Gaza by persuading Hamas to disarm.
Trump’s special envoy, Aryeh Lightstone, wrote in a post on X/Twitter: “As the blessed days of Eid are upon us, serious efforts persist to chart a hopeful path for Gaza. A framework has been agreed upon by all mediators that can unlock reconstruction, breathe life back into communities, and bring them closer to unity and a negotiated resolution of the Palestinian question.
It is now on the table. It requires one clear choice: full decommissioning by Hamas and every armed group, with no exceptions and no carve-outs. In this season of hope, may those responsible make the right choice for the Palestinian people.”
Critics also point out that Pakistan has been included in diplomatic efforts despite longstanding concerns about ties between its intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and Iranian networks, including the IRGC and Basij. Such relationships, they argue, raise questions about regional alignments and strategic intentions.
However, Hamas has already rejected calls to disarm. Critics argue that the group has historically used negotiations and ceasefires to regroup, rebuild its arsenal, and expand its tunnel networks.
Commenting on Trump’s “Board of Peace,” journalist Khaled Abu Toameh wrote that expecting Hamas to relinquish its weapons through dialogue alone ignores decades of evidence, noting that the group’s core ideology is rooted in armed struggle. Meanwhile, defense analyst Stavros Atlamazoglou has reported that Iranian intelligence services are actively gathering information on the movements of US military assets.
Similar intelligence activities have reportedly expanded across the Gulf region – including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates – with the aim of tracking military and intelligence operations related to missile and drone defense. Some reports suggest that Iran may also be leveraging networks linked to Pakistan’s ISI, which has a significant presence in Gulf countries through various professional and labor channels.
In 2023, Pakistani nationals were arrested in Cyprus for allegedly working with Iranian intelligence in a plot targeting Jewish individuals. In a video released by the Mossad, Iranian operatives reportedly claimed that the ISI had connections to the plot.
Further allegations indicate that elements within Pakistan’s intelligence structure may be sharing sensitive information about individuals involved in operations linked to the United States and Israel, reportedly in exchange for financial benefits.
The challenge facing Western societies today is not simply one of security but of clarity. Distinguishing between religious freedom and ideological extremism is essential to preserving both democratic values and public safety. Ignoring emerging threats or dismissing legitimate concerns risks undermining the very stability policymakers seek to protect. A measured, evidence-based response is no longer optional; it is imperative.
The writer is an award-winning journalist, writer, and editor of the newspaper Blitz. He specializes in counterterrorism and regional geopolitics. Follow him on X: @Salah_Shoaib