Atomwaffen Division and its Affiliates on Telegram: Variations, Practices, and Interconnections

Abstract

This research brief details findings from a recent collaborative project exploring different groups related to Atomwaffen Division (AWD) on Telegram. The brief provides an initial foray into understanding the digital communicative practices these AWD-related groups use to maintain their loose structure as a transnational, digitally networked extremist culture. Groups affiliated with the meta-brand of AWD are continuing to develop globally and building a transnational, digital networked culture, despite increased scrutiny. This indicates that their structure as a digitally networked, transnational culture provides resilience to traditional policy and law enforcement approaches. Addressing this threat requires insight into the practices that such groups use to interconnect their now multi-nodal, supranational organization.