Clarion Project
An American nonprofit advocacy and media organization focused on extremism, terrorism, religious freedom, and national-security issues.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Clarion Project is an American nonprofit advocacy and media organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 2006 by Raphael Shore and previously operated under the name Clarion Fund Inc. The organization describes its mission as exposing and reducing threats from extremism in order to promote a safer world. Its work has combined documentary filmmaking, public education, commentary, research-style publications, speaking engagements, and advocacy around terrorism, radicalization, religious freedom, foreign influence, and the security implications of extremist movements. Clarion became especially visible through films distributed to American audiences and, in some cases, screened or circulated internationally. Its best-known production is Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West, a documentary released in 2005 before the organization’s formal 2006 founding. The film presented a warning about militant Islamist ideology and was distributed widely, including through political and advocacy networks. Subsequent productions included The Third Jihad: Radical Islam's Vision for America, Iranium, Honor Diaries, Faithkeepers, Kids: Chasing Paradise, and Covert Cash. These films addressed subjects ranging from perceived Islamist threats in the United States and Iran's nuclear program to violence against women, attacks on Middle Eastern Christians, child soldiers, and foreign funding of American colleges. The organization’s output has been politically influential among audiences concerned about terrorism and Islamist extremism, but it has also been sharply contested. Critics have accused Clarion of presenting selective or misleading claims, conflating Islam with extremism, and contributing to anti-Muslim prejudice. The Southern Poverty Law Center listed it as an anti-Muslim hate group from 2016 through 2019, while the Council on American–Islamic Relations identified it among organizations it said promote Islamophobia in the United States. Clarion and its supporters have generally framed the organization’s work as criticism of extremist ideology rather than hostility toward Muslims as a religious group. The organization has also been described by critics and researchers as part of the broader counter-jihad movement. Clarion has used both internal staff and an external advisory network to support its public-facing work. Richard Green was identified as its chief executive officer in 2022. Its advisory board has included Raheel Raza, president of Muslims Facing Tomorrow; Zuhdi Jasser, president of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy; and Michelle Baron. Former security analyst Ryan Mauro was associated with the organization and attracted criticism for claims about alleged Muslim no-go zones in parts of the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States. In addition to film production, Clarion has published the weekly Extremism Roundup newsletter, which offers commentary and selected reporting on extremist activity and related political issues. The organization has remained a contentious participant in debates over terrorism communication, Islamophobia, religious freedom, and the boundaries between advocacy, documentary journalism, and political messaging. Public information available in the cited reference material does not establish its current budget, staff size, legal structure beyond its nonprofit identity, or the full extent of its present-day operations.
History
Clarion Project emerged from an American advocacy environment shaped by post-September 11 debates over terrorism, Islamist militancy, national security, and the relationship between foreign conflicts and domestic politics. The organization was founded in 2006 by Raphael Shore and initially operated as Clarion Fund Inc. Its most prominent early media project, Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West, was released in 2005 and circulated before the formal organizational date. The film used historical footage, commentary, and comparisons between Nazi ideology and militant Islamist ideology to argue that Western societies faced a broad ideological threat. Its distribution made Clarion visible beyond the conventional nonprofit sector and connected it with political networks concerned about terrorism. The organization followed Obsession with a series of films addressing related subjects. The Third Jihad: Radical Islam's Vision for America focused on the alleged implications of radical Islamist ideology for the United States. Iranium examined Iran's nuclear program and the possibility of nuclear proliferation. Later projects widened the subject matter: Honor Diaries addressed violence against women; Faithkeepers focused on threats faced by Christians in the Middle East; Kids: Chasing Paradise concerned child soldiers; and Covert Cash examined alleged foreign funding of American colleges. Together, these works established a model in which documentary production served as both public education and advocacy. Clarion's public identity was not limited to films. It published the weekly Extremism Roundup newsletter and engaged audiences through commentary, research-oriented material, public events, and speakers. Its stated mission emphasized exposing and reducing extremism to create a safer world for all. The organization has presented itself as willing to criticize extremist movements while also highlighting religious freedom and the security of vulnerable communities. At the same time, Clarion's methods and framing generated sustained opposition. Critics argued that its films relied on selective evidence, exaggerated threats, or misleading associations, and that they treated Muslims or Islam as inherently connected to extremism. The Southern Poverty Law Center classified it as an anti-Muslim hate group from 2016 through 2019. The Council on American–Islamic Relations also named it among organizations it regarded as promoting Islamophobia. Researchers and critics have situated Clarion within the counter-jihad movement, a loose network of activists and organizations focused on opposing perceived Islamist influence in Western institutions. Personnel associated with the organization also became part of these disputes. Ryan Mauro, identified as a former Clarion security analyst, was criticized for claims about alleged Muslim no-go zones and Muslim enclaves in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States. Clarion's advisory board has included Raheel Raza, Zuhdi Jasser, and Michelle Baron, while Richard Green was identified as chief executive officer in 2022. A speech by a Clarion Project co-founder was cancelled that year, illustrating the continuing controversy around its public programming. Clarion Project therefore occupies an intersection between nonprofit advocacy, documentary media, and political communication. Supporters regard it as a source of warnings about extremism and threats to religious freedom. Opponents regard its messaging as inflammatory and harmful to Muslims. The available reference material does not document a complete chronology of organizational restructurings, current leadership, funding, or present operational scale.
- 2022
Richard Green identified as CEO
[1]Richard Green was identified as the organization's chief executive officer.
- 2020
Covert Cash released
[1]Covert Cash examined alleged foreign funding of colleges in the United States.
- 2019
Kids: Chasing Paradise released
[1]The film addressed the use and experiences of child soldiers.
- 2017
Faithkeepers released
[1]Faithkeepers examined threats to Christians in the Middle East.
- 2016
SPLC classification begins
[1]The Southern Poverty Law Center began listing Clarion Project as an anti-Muslim hate group.
- 2013
Honor Diaries released
[1]Honor Diaries focused on violence against women.
- 2011
Iranium released
[1]Iranium addressed Iran's nuclear weapons program and related national-security concerns.
- 2008
The Third Jihad released
[1]The organization released The Third Jihad: Radical Islam's Vision for America.
- 2006
Clarion founded
[1]Raphael Shore founded the organization, which initially operated under the name Clarion Fund Inc.
- 2005
Release of Obsession
[1]Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West was released and became the organization's most prominent early media project.
Products and positioning
A nonprofit advocacy and media organization presenting itself as a public educator on extremism and national security, while being criticized by Muslim advocacy groups and other commentators as an anti-Muslim or counter-jihad organization.
Documentary film · 2005
Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West
A documentary released in 2005 that presents militant Islamist ideology as a strategic and ideological threat to Western societies. It became Clarion's best-known early production and was distributed widely through advocacy and political networks. Critics disputed its use of historical comparisons and argued that its framing encouraged anti-Muslim stereotypes.
Documentary film · 2008
The Third Jihad: Radical Islam's Vision for America
A documentary focusing on Clarion's claim that radical Islamist ideology posed a long-term challenge to American institutions and society. The production extended the organization's central counter-extremism message into domestic political and security debates and attracted criticism over alleged exaggeration and anti-Muslim framing.
Documentary film · 2011
Iranium
A documentary about Iran's nuclear weapons program and the security implications attributed to Iran's nuclear ambitions. It broadened Clarion's media portfolio from Islamist extremism to state-level proliferation and Middle Eastern geopolitics.
Documentary film · 2013
Honor Diaries
A documentary addressing violence against women. The film placed gender-based violence within Clarion's wider advocacy agenda concerning religious practice, extremism, and human rights.
Documentary film · 2017
Faithkeepers
A documentary focused on Christians in the Middle East and threats to religious communities in the region. It reflects Clarion's emphasis on religious freedom and the protection of vulnerable faith communities.
Documentary film · 2019
Kids: Chasing Paradise
A documentary concerning child soldiers and the recruitment or exploitation of children in extremist or armed-conflict contexts.
Documentary film · 2020
Covert Cash
A documentary examining alleged foreign funding of colleges in the United States. The film extends Clarion's focus into questions of foreign influence, institutional independence, and national security.
Weekly newsletter
Extremism Roundup
A recurring newsletter that reports and comments on extremism and related security or political developments. It provides Clarion with an ongoing publication channel beyond its documentary films.
Controversies
2022
Cancelled co-founder speech
A speech by a Clarion Project co-founder was cancelled amid continuing controversy surrounding the organization's views and public activities.
2016
Anti-Muslim hate-group classification
The Southern Poverty Law Center listed Clarion Project as an anti-Muslim hate group from 2016 through 2019. The designation reflected criticism of the organization's films, rhetoric, and alleged role in promoting anti-Muslim narratives.
Criticism from Muslim advocacy organizations
The Council on American–Islamic Relations identified Clarion among organizations it said promote Islamophobia in American society. Clarion's supporters and critics differ over whether its work constitutes legitimate criticism of extremist ideology or unfair generalization about Muslims.
Brand decisions
2011
Expansion into state-level security issuesStrategyBackground
Clarion's earlier work focused heavily on Islamist extremism and perceived threats to Western societies.
Action taken
Through Iranium, the organization expanded its film agenda to Iran's nuclear program and the potential security consequences of nuclear proliferation.
Aftermath
The project broadened Clarion's advocacy portfolio to include geopolitical and state-security issues alongside ideological extremism.
2006
Adoption of a documentary-led advocacy modelStrategyBackground
Clarion was established in the context of post-September 11 debates about terrorism, radicalization, and national security.
Action taken
The organization used documentary production and distribution as a principal method for communicating its views on extremism and security.
Aftermath
The approach gave Clarion a public profile but also subjected its films and claims to sustained criticism from Muslim advocacy groups and other commentators.
Sources2 sources
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