Accessibility links
Odette Yousef Odette Yousef is a National Security correspondent focusing on extremism.
Odette Yousef headshot
Stories By

Odette Yousef

Thursday

Politics

Extremism experts worry a QAnon theory is making into the mainstream political right

In Judge Jackson's Supreme Court confirmation hearings, some Republicans dwelled on her handling of child pornography cases. Extremism experts say a QAnon narrative may be catching on with the right.

Extremism experts worry a QAnon theory is making into the mainstream political right

Listen · 4:50
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1090067956/1090067957" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

The NPR Politics Podcast

Why Did Tucker Carlson Echo Russian Bioweapons Propaganda On His Top-Rated Show?

Russia pushed a conspiracy theory that the United States is helping Ukraine develop biological weapons. There's no evidence for that, but the idea did end up on Tucker Carlson Tonight — a Fox News show that reaches, on average, more than 3.5 million viewers with each episode. How did the conspiracy theory find its way from the Kremlin to American conservative media?

Why Did Tucker Carlson Echo Russian Bioweapons Propaganda On His Top-Rated Show?

Listen · 13:39
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1089530038/1198978145" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

Tuesday

Europe

Russia claims U.S. labs across Ukraine are secretly developing biological weapons

Russia's attempts to convince the world that its invasion of Ukraine is justified have mostly fallen flat in the U.S. But a recent disinformation campaign has gained some traction.

Russia claims U.S. labs across Ukraine are secretly developing biological weapons

Listen · 3:48
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1087991730/1087991731" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

Book bans and the threat of censorship rev up political activism in the suburbs

Amanda Darrow, director of youth, family and education programs at the Utah Pride Center, poses with books, including The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison and Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison, that have been the subject of complaints from parents in Salt Lake City on Dec. 16, 2021. Rick Bowmer/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Rick Bowmer/AP

National

Book bans and the threat of censorship rev up political activism in the suburbs

A conservative campaign to ban certain books from schools is prompting other parents to push back. The issue is often framed as the latest "culture war" battle, but some see democracy itself at stake.

Book bans and the threat of censorship rev up political activism in the suburbs

Listen · 6:09
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1087000890/1087913875" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Saturday

Europe

The Russian-Ukraine conflict could strengthen neo-fascist groups in both countries

Experts have roundly dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin's suggestion that Nazism is prevalent in Ukraine. Still, they worry the war may strengthen neo-fascist groups in both countries.

The Russian-Ukraine conflict could strengthen neo-fascist groups in both countries

Listen · 5:23
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1084729572/1084729573" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

National

'Freedom convoys' tap into cross-regional populism

The so-called "freedom convoys" are exploiting populist grievances and are amplified by social media and grifters seeking to make a buck.

'Freedom convoys' tap into cross-regional populism

Listen · 7:54
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1081247534/1081247535" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

World

Global culture wars: Some far right groups in the U.S. are taking a pro-Russia stance

Even as the U.S. opposes Russian aggression into Ukraine, some Americans' attitudes are softening toward Russia — particularly on the far right.

Global culture wars: Some far right groups in the U.S. are taking a pro-Russia stance

Listen · 4:04
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1077064951/1077064952" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

Biden team promises new approach to extremism, but critics see old patterns

Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, breaking windows and clashing with police officers. Jon Cherry/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Jon Cherry/Getty Images

National Security

Biden team promises new approach to extremism, but critics see old patterns

The Biden administration's new Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships aims to stop radicalization before it starts. But critics say it's a repackaging of failed strategies and inadequate.

Wednesday

National Security

Homeland Security is trying to root out domestic violent extremism in the U.S.

The Biden administration's new Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships aims to stop radicalization before it starts. But critics say it's a repackaging of failed strategies and inadequate.

Homeland Security is trying to root out domestic violent extremism in the U.S.

Listen · 6:45
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1075717051/1075717052" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Politics

The story of January 6 goes beyond a single day

It's been a year since a mob supporting former President Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol. We look at what we've learned about domestic extremism over the past year.

The story of January 6 goes beyond a single day

Listen · 4:23
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1071663527/1071663528" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

National Security

Why fringe movements now include middle-class Americans with jobs and families

In the 12 months since a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, polarization has only grown deeper. Many who monitor extremist activity worry that the country is in a much more dangerous place now.

Why fringe movements now include middle-class Americans with jobs and families

Listen · 3:38
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1070849329/1070849330" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

National Security

Amateur sleuths help to identify hundreds of suspected Jan. 6 rioters

A year after a pro-Trump mob attacked the U.S. Capitol, an informal community of amateur sleuths — known as "sedition hunters" — continues to identify people who were likely involved in the riot.

Amateur sleuths help to identify hundreds of suspected Jan. 6 rioters

Listen · 7:35
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1070471256/1070471257" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

National Security

Millions sympathize with the rioters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, survey finds

As the U.S. nears the anniversary of a pro-Trump mob's attack at the Capitol, a survey finds widespread community support for violent insurrection that it calls a new political movement in the U.S.

Millions sympathize with the rioters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, survey finds

Listen · 3:33
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1069983200/1069983201" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript