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

Odette Yousef

Thursday

The Uvalde shooting conspiracies show how far-right misinformation is evolving

Crosses adorn a makeshift memorial for the shooting victims at Robb Elementary School. NPR has not independent verified the names. CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images

Uvalde elementary school shooting

The Uvalde shooting conspiracies show how far-right misinformation is evolving

Rumors, misinformation and conspiracy theories were rampant on right-wing social media before verifiable information came out about the gunman who killed 21 people at a Texas elementary school.

The Uvalde shooting conspiracies show how far-right misinformation is evolving

Listen · 4:05
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1101479269/1101479543" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

National Security

Social justice group examines how deeply the far-right has penetrated state politics

The results of a study released this month find that at least one in five Republican state legislators across the country are affiliated with far-right groups on Facebook.

Social justice group examines how deeply the far-right has penetrated state politics

Listen · 3:51
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1101423586/1101423587" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

National

Soon after the Uvalde shooting, conspiracy theories took off among the far right

Rumors, misinformation and conspiracy theories were rampant on right-wing social media before verifiable information came out about the gunman who took at least 21 lives at a Texas elementary school.

Soon after the Uvalde shooting, conspiracy theories took off among the far right

Listen · 4:05
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1101307609/1101307610" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

The Buffalo shooting suspect's online footprint prompts questions about red flags

People gather at the scene of a mass shooting at Tops Friendly Market at Jefferson Avenue and Riley Street on Monday, May 16, 2022 in Buffalo, NY. Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Buffalo Tops Mass Shooting

The Buffalo shooting suspect's online footprint prompts questions about red flags

A digital log believed to be linked to the accused Buffalo gunman documents six months of planning the terrorist attack. Researchers are looking through it and asking: Were there any red flags?

Wednesday

National Security

Alleged Buffalo shooter's digital log lays out the 6 months leading up to the attack

The alleged Buffalo gunman appears to have kept a detailed digital log of his activities while planning the attack. Researchers are learning more about his progression into violence and red flags.

Alleged Buffalo shooter's digital log lays out the 6 months leading up to the attack

Listen · 4:46
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1099874032/1099874033" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

The 'great replacement' conspiracy theory isn't fringe anymore — it's mainstream

Hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" march down East Market Street toward Emancipation Park during the "Unite the Right" rally August 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Race

The 'great replacement' conspiracy theory isn't fringe anymore — it's mainstream

A racist conspiracy theory is believed to have motivated the suspected gunman in the Buffalo attack. It was once a fringe belief, but it's found its way into the mainstream.

Monday

The NPR Politics Podcast

How Replacement Theory Moved From The Fringe To The Mainstream

The suspected gunman in Saturday's shooting in Buffalo, N.Y. is alleged to have written a racist screed explaining his motivations. One of the topics discussed is "replacement theory," a talking point that has made its way to statements made by Republican lawmakers and Fox News hosts despite its past as a fringe idea in racist forums. Today, a look at what replacement theory is, how it became amplified & what implications that has on the political process.

How Replacement Theory Moved From The Fringe To The Mainstream

Listen · 14:37
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1099257491/1198977965" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

How is the 'Great Replacement' theory tied to the Buffalo shooting suspect?

Included in a document published online outlining ideology behind Saturday's mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket, is a conspiracy known as the "Great Replacement." What is replacement theory?

How is the 'Great Replacement' theory tied to the Buffalo shooting suspect?

Listen · 3:57
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1099070428/1099070429" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

National

The shooter in Buffalo, N.Y., appeared to have become radicalized online

An 18-year-old from Conklin, N.Y., drove hours to attack a grocery store in a predominantly Black area of Buffalo. He is believed to have written a racist manifesto that was briefly posted online.

The shooter in Buffalo, N.Y., appeared to have become radicalized online

Listen · 3:54
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1099004689/1099004690" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

National Security

Weaver and the Ruby Ridge standoff contributed to the evolution of the radical right

Randy Weaver, who was at the center of a standoff with federal agents decades ago that continues to inspire antigovernment and paramilitary sentiment on the far right, has died at age 74.

Weaver and the Ruby Ridge standoff contributed to the evolution of the radical right

Listen · 3:47
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1098735768/1098735769" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

National

Supremacy movements unite over abortion restriction, though for different reasons

The evolution of the anti-abortion coalition in the U.S. has long been a shared project of supremacist movements. Though they have shared a goal of overturning Roe, they have different agendas.

Supremacy movements unite over abortion restriction, though for different reasons

Listen · 3:51
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1098585429/1098585430" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Orthodox Christian churches are drawing in far-right American converts

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a Christmas liturgy at the Transfiguration Cathedral in St. Petersburg early on Jan. 7, 2020. In the U.S., Orthodox Christianity is a relatively small faith tradition, but in recent years, it has expanded to new regions. Some new converts are using the religion to spread white nationalist views. Alexey Nikolsky/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Alexey Nikolsky/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images

Religion

Orthodox Christian churches are drawing in far-right American converts

Orthodox Christianity is a relatively small faith tradition in the U.S., but in recent years it has expanded to new regions. Some new converts are using the religion to spread white nationalist views.

Orthodox Christian churches are drawing in far-right American converts

Listen · 10:17
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1096741988/1097887888" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Monday

National Security

A growing number of white nationalists identify with Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke in Moscow's Red Square during a Victory Day celebration, telling troops that they are fighting in Ukraine "so that nobody forgets the lessons of World War II."

A growing number of white nationalists identify with Vladimir Putin

Listen · 10:17
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1097673785/1097673786" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

National

Far-right militant groups align with issue-oriented groups ahead of midterms

A report says instances of political violence were down slightly in 2021 from the year before. But militant groups were recruiting and shifting tactics to lay the groundwork for increased violence.

Far-right militant groups align with issue-oriented groups ahead of midterms

Listen · 3:41
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1096075515/1096075516" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

National Security

NYC subway shooting suspect had a history of posting offensive material online

Experts have been combing through the apparent social media presence of Frank James, a suspect in Brooklyn's subway shootings. They've found elements of extremist ideologies and conspiracy theories.

NYC subway shooting suspect had a history of posting offensive material online

Listen · 3:44
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1092904497/1092904498" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript