Extremist Organizations Research Articles

Students’ subjective perceptions of extremism in the Russian Arctic

Young people are a traditional risk group for radicalization and involvement in protest and extremist activities. The relevance of this topic is due to the growing threat of youth radicalization, the expansion of the activities of extremist organizations, and the need to organize high-quality preventive work in educational organizations at various levels. The article provides an overview of research on the topic under consideration and also presents the results of a series of surveys in general educational institutions and organizations of secondary vocational education (n = 11,052), universities (n = 3966) located in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The results of the study on aspects of students’ ideas about extremism are presented in terms of assessing their own knowledge about extremism, the presence/absence of radically minded people around them, determining the degree of threat from the activities of extremist groups for themselves and their social environment, and identifying approaches to preventing the growth of extremism in society. Conclusions are drawn about the need to improve preventive work models in educational organizations towards a targeted (group) approach.

Humanitarian Crisis in Indian Jammu and Kashmir: An Analysis

Human rights violations in the part of Kashmir ruled by India are the subject of this article. The part of Kashmir under Indian administration suffers from the ongoing violation of human rights. Their daily lives now involve everything from political repression and the oppressive conditions of free speech to mass murders, forced disappearances, torture, rape, and sexual abuse. Extremist organizations, border guards, and the Indian Central Reserve Police Force have all been charged with and found guilty of serious violations of human rights against Kashmiri civilians. The rebels in Kashmir believe that the part of the country that is ruled by India is a part of Pakistan. Thus, the only people who are allowed to live on that area are Pakistanis. However, the question of how far it is acceptable to create one's existence at the expense of ending the lives of people who are completely innocent and have no fault of their own other than the fact that they were born on that property emerges. Numerous questions have been raised by this upheaval, all of which deserve our serious attention and prompt resolution.

Russia’s Ministry of Justice Decision to Label 55 Organizations as Extremists: Implications for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of Russia

On 7 June 2024, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation fulfilled the demand of the Ministry of Justice to label 55 organizations, including those advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples, as extremists. This decision has triggered significant anxiety among Indigenous communities and human rights activists. This article examines the nature of this decision, the definitions of extremist and extremist organizations under the Russian law, and the implications of this decision for the rights of Indigenous peoples in Russia.

Study on the Interactive Mechanism between Racism and Terrorism in Europe

Given the growing racial and religious tensions in Europe and the frequent occurrences of terrorist activities, studying the correlation between the two can provide a theoretical basis for preventing terrorist activities. This study aims to explore the logical relationship and interaction mechanism between them. Taking the Paris terrorist attack in 2015 as an example, adopting the analytical dualism theory, this paper analyzes the mutual influence paths between racial discrimination and terrorist activities and discusses from cultural and structural perspectives the conditions under which racism becomes the hotbed for extremism, as well as the ways terrorist organizations manipulate racial issues to expand influence. The study concludes that racial divides in Europe provide a real basis for the spread of extremism, while extremist organizations also manipulate racial, customary, and religious emotions through online and offline means to expand influence, and the two reinforce each other. To thoroughly break this vicious cycle, positive multicultural identity needs to be promoted, structural discrimination between races needs to be eliminated at the social system level, and the independent thinking abilities and subjectivity of minority ethnic groups need to be enhanced to block the conduction of resentful emotions towards terrorism at its root.

Assessing border walls’ varied impacts on terrorist group diffusion

Do border walls inhibit the spread of transnational terrorism? Previous research has primarily measured the volume of terrorism without explicitly modeling its diffusion or considering how walls might affect different groups differently. To address these oversights, the study adopts a network-based approach, analyzing the impact of border walls on the spread of violence among 63 extremist organizations from 1970 to 2017. The findings show that barriers generally inhibit diffusion, but their effectiveness varies significantly among groups. This research challenges policymakers who regard walls as a catch-all solution for terrorism, offering a fresh perspective on whether walls’ effects justify their cost.

A Social Network Analysis on Abu Sayyaf Kidnappings

The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is a Philippine-based extremist organization globally known for engaging in terrorism, kidnappings, and various criminal activities. This study sought to comprehensively analyze Abu Sayyaf ’s kidnapping incidents using social network analysis to better understand their operational structures, patterns, and dynamics. The researchers applied centrality measurements to assess the significance of nodes in the network, along with the GirvanNewman algorithm for community detection to identify groups sharing similar characteristics and extract groups for various purposes. The findings revealed one kidnapping node to have the highest centrality score and holding the most significant influence and numerous incoming connections within the network. Another kidnapper node in the analysis of out-degree centrality displayed a proactive role, initiating multiple connections and shaping the network’s dynamic. The community detection uncovered seven distinct communities within the network, each demonstrating unique patterns and characteristics. The findings imply that kidnappings were conducted through groups rather than individuals. The majority of networks involving ASG members participating in multiple kidnapping events hold significant implications for national security strategies.

КЫРГЫЗСТАНДАГЫ ДИНИЙ УЮМДАРДЫН САЯСИЙ УКУКТУК АБАЛЫ

The Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic guarantees everyone freedom of conscience and religion, prohibits the establishment of any religion as State or compulsory, ensures the separation of religion and all rituals from the State, prohibits the interference of religious associations and clergy in the activities of State bodies. During the years of independence, restrictions on ritual, social, industrial, economic and other activities of religious associations were lifted in the Kyrgyz Republic, and liberal state policy in the religious sphere stimulated the growth of the number of associations and facilities. People living in Kyrgyzstan have an ideological vacuum, which, due to the lack of an effective mechanism for civil identity, leads to the uncontrolled spread of other identities, including religious ones. Radical and extremist organizations that conduct underground activities and are able to take advantage of this problem have a negative impact on the religious situation. In this article, the author analyzes the ongoing research on the state policy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the religious sphere, including the political and legal situation of religious organizations in Kyrgyzstan, gives appropriate recommendations to state and local governments and public institutions to solve emerging problems and problems in this direction.

“A Future for White Children”: Examining Family Ideologies of White Extremist Groups at the Intersection of Race and Gender

Many White Americans believe that racism, racial violence, and hate groups are relics of the past, and yet we have witnessed the resurgence of White extremist groups and overt racism in recent years. This resurgence requires an examination of White extremist ideologies, particularly as they center traditional family values in justifying their extremism. In this study, we utilize a content analysis of the websites of six White extremist organizations to examine ideologies surrounding the family at the intersection of race and gender. Furthermore, we question why these ideologies take shape as they do and the potential implications of espousing family values with a rise in White extremism. Our study addresses the gender gap in existing White extremist research and highlights the need for an intersectional approach in understanding how ideologies differ between a White extremist group specifically for women and those under the leadership of men.

European experience in counteracting disinformation influences

Information-psychological influences, attacks, and operations do not have a physical manifestation but generate destabilizing internal and external processes within a state. These processes cause aggression, anxiety, and dissatisfaction among the population, potentially leading to open physical conflict. The use of the Internet enables extremist organizations to access mass media, spreading propaganda, informing about their goals, tasks, measures, and forms of support. The authors emphasize the significant impact of modern information and communication technologies on increasing threats to political stability and the security of any state. The aim of this paper is to highlight foreign experiences regarding organizational and legal measures that prevent the spread of disinformation, aimed at inciting hostility and hatred within a state. The study draws on experiences from large-scale protest actions, organized and coordinated through social networks on the Internet. The authors note that blogs, social networks, electronic maps, and video hosting sites are currently used without restrictions for political destabilization. Social networks enable immediate support from like-minded individuals and the publication of extremist materials, which contribute to the escalation of socio-political, ethnic, and interfaith conflicts. The main research methods are comparative analysis, statistical method, historical method, structural-functional method of cognition. Having studied the periods of formation of the system for countering the spread of disinformation in the EU, the authors concluded that the work on countering the spread of disinformation is conducted comprehensively and systematically and is constantly being improved in accordance with the challenges. In the EU countries, not only the practice of combating disinformation has been developed, but also an array of normative legal acts has been adopted to prevent the spread of disinformation. The European experience demonstrates the importance of a balance between freedom of speech and security measures in the information space. Such a comprehensive and conceptual approach should be the basis for creating a system for countering the spread of disinformation in Ukraine.

Moms for liberty and the dispositifs of white motherhood: toward a Black whiteness study of maternal educational biopolitics

This article argues that white motherhood, embodied by Moms for Liberty, enforces a white supremacist educational and political order that materially harms students of color, especially Black students. Moms for Liberty did not emerge ex nihilo. It is part of a longer history of defining American education from the vantage of white motherhood. This argument is introduced by a methodological note that extends Foucault’s discussion of dispositifs to current critiques of critical whiteness studies that redefine this field of inquiry as Black whiteness studies Genealogical integrations of securitizing dispositifs like white motherhood are qualitative ways of doing Black whiteness studies that make possible future critical inquiries. Toward this possibility this article concludes by discussing the material dangers Black mothers experience and how Black mothering counters vitriolic claims of harm espoused by extremist organizations like Moms for Liberty.

Доктрина охлаждающего эффекта как универсальный инструмент защиты прав

Since March 2022, the dissemination of Facebook and Instagram has been prohibited within the territory of Russia, with Meta being included in the list of extremist organizations based on a court decision, thereby subjecting all users of said platforms and company shareholders to the threat of criminal prosecution. Moreover, the exodus of Russian political leaders from the popular social media has seen an expedited pace. Setting aside the issue of political motives behind such a ruling and its ethical implications, the author advocates for scrutiny of extant legal mechanisms operative in alternative jurisdictions relevant to the present case. One such instrument is the doctrine of chilling effect, positing that authorities may infringe upon rights even in the absence of direct intent for such constraint. Although the doctrine of chilling effect was not expressly invoked in the proscription of Meta within Russia, the doctrine could be applied in analogous disputes implicating other digital platforms.

Some signs of an extremiist organization «Arestant criminal unity» formed as a result of the analysis of materials submitted for examination

Subject of research: materials submitted for the preparation of conclusions on criminological examinations. Purpose of research: to find out what materials are required for the examination. How do they influence the identification of signs of the functioning of cells of the extremist organization AUE on the territory of a municipality or penitentiary institution? Conduct an analysis of the materials submitted for the examination and identify the main characteristic errors made during their preparation, with the aim of further preventive work aimed at preventing these errors. Methods of research: the article uses such general scientific research methods as: generalization, analysis and synthesis, specification. Main results of research: groups of basic materials submitted for examination have been identified, and the main mistakes made in the preparation of these materials and during preparatory activities for the appointment of criminological examinations have been identified. The author believes that the formation of the most common errors made during the preparation of materials for conducting criminological investigations to identify signs of the functioning of cells of extremist organizations on the territory of municipalities will make it possible to take measures to prevent them.

Practical Mechanisms for Implementing Measures to Combat Extremism

The article analyzes the practical mechanisms for implementing measures to combat extremism. In fact, extremism has become something of a “plague” in the modern realities of humanity. An indefinite number of people, society, the state, and the world community may suffer from extremist activities. The information and telecommunication network «Internet» contributes to the spread of extremist ideas. Today the World Wide Web is the main information and propaganda channel practically of all international and national extremist organizations and groups. Paying considerable attention to this challenge, the author gives a list of measures to prevent the spreading of extremist ideology in the information network. The analysis of the regulatory framework on the issues under study allowed the author to conclude that there is weak interaction between the bodies designed to carry out the prevention and fight against extremism. To change the negative trend, it is necessary further to improve the legislative framework of the state regulating the activities of competent organizations, its focus on ahead of possible illegal actions in this area. In the context of the multinational nature of the Russian state, there is also a need to intensify explanatory and propaganda work aimed at preventing extremism in the field of interethnic and interreligious relations. The education of the younger generation of traditional spiritual and moral values, raising the level of education of the population and civic culture, citizens’ welfare should also be considered as essential components of preventive work in the fight against extremism and its manifestations.

Keeping up appearances: US domestic extremist organizations and the effects of membership on domestic terrorism perpetrators

ABSTRACT Within the broader discussion of US domestic terrorism, the impact of formal extremist groups on the behaviour of perpetrators of ideologically motivated crime stands as a key albeit under examined issue. Radicalization and terrorism have long been understood as group-driven processes, yet the degree and rate of group affiliation among US extremist offenders is highly variable, especially in the context of rising instances of lone actor attacks. This raises the question of the role that group affiliation plays in relation to perpetrators of extremist violence. For while discourse surrounding domestic terrorism has largely classified these organizations as facilitators or enablers of radicalization and extremist violence, patterns in recent years suggest these groups may in fact do the opposite and dampen the violent impulses of their members to preserve their organizational interests. This paper presents an analysis of data adapted from the Profiles of Individual Radicalization in the United States (PIRUS) dataset as well as original data and finds that membership in formal extremist groups does appear to create a moderating effect on perpetrators of ideologically motivated crime, reducing the probability of group members in engaging in violence.

Особенности диагностики криминального поведения осужденных экстремистской направленности, отбывающих наказание в исправительных колониях

The article analyzes some organizational and methodological aspects of the diagnosis of criminal behavior of extremist convicts serving sentences in correctional colonies. The features of psychological diagnosis and impact on convicts, representatives of various extremist organizations, criminal tactics used to spread extremist ideology in places of detention are considered. Based on the conducted theoretical and pilot empirical research, theoretical and applied approaches are proposed for the application of psychological knowledge by penitentiary psychologists, employees of services and departments of the penitentiary system in professional activities in the implementation of its most important task — ensuring security in institutions of the penal correction system, defined by the Concept of its development for the period up to 2030 (approved by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 04/29/2021 No. 1138-R.).

The Jargon of «AUE» Criminal Organization (from the Practice of Forensic Linguistic Examinations)

The criminal plans disclosure and the illegal activities suppression, the implementation of forensic linguistic examinations is complicated by the presence of a special secret language in the criminal world. In this regard, it is necessary to study and systematize such jargon, create vocabularies. The extremist organization «Prisoner Criminal Unity» (AUE), the study of the jargon of which is undertaken in this article is especially dangerous and the most closed. The article is devoted to the consideration of some features of the language characteristic for AUE representatives concerning naming, abbreviation, word formation, obligatory cliched expressions at meetings and in the epistolary genre. It is established that the speech of the AUE representatives reflects their mental values, among which they themselves call the thieves’ brotherhood, the thieves’ family and strict adherence to its principles. The language of this extremist organization is difficult to learn largely due to the fact that it lacks a common governing body, a leader, and each place of detention has its own leader, its own language rules and features. These linguistic units are either not recorded in the criminal jargon dictionaries, or have territorial specifics. A short dictionary of basic language units used by representatives of AUE in places of detention of the Southern Federal District of the Russian Federation is proposed.

Investigating long short‐term memory approach for extremist messages detection in Kazakh language

AbstractIn recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in both individuals and organizations utilizing social networks for illicit purposes. This trend can be viewed as a potential threat to the national security of the country. In this article, the authors pay attention to how various extremist organizations use social networks in their activities, and offer LSTM‐based models for classifying extremist texts in Kazakh on web resources. The main purpose of the article is to classify Kazakh texts in social networks into extremist and non‐extremist classes. The authors employed techniques such as Tf‐Idf, Word2Vec, Bag of Words (BoW), and n‐grams in experiments. A list of extremist keywords in the Kazakh language and, accordingly, a corpus of extremist texts in the Kazakh language were created for training and testing machine learning methods. As a result, the authors introduced a model that demonstrated superior performance across all evaluation metrics in machine learning for detecting extremist texts in the Kazakh language. The theoretical significance of this study lies in its comprehensive exploration of methods and algorithms for detecting extremist activities and organizations. The foundational findings derived from this research can contribute valuable insights to the global scientific community. The practical implications, including the developed methodology can be utilized by authorized entities to enhance information security, safeguard critical infrastructure, and combat online extremism.

Harnessing Kenyan Mothers Knowledge to Counter Violent Extremism: A Contribution to Feminist Philosophical Approaches

The capturing of the knowledge of Kenyan mothers can improve the effectiveness of countering violent extremism efforts. This is because African women possess power and agency within their societies that contributes to their knowledge. This paper analyses the knowledge and experience of mothers whose sons joined the al Shabaab violent extremist organisation in Somalia as a contribution to African feminist epistemology. It interrogates the epistemological representation of African women in violent extremism practice from a knowledge production perspective. The paper explores the contribution of mothers of al-Shabaab recruits to African feminist epistemology on approaches to address violent extremism. Through an African feminist narratological approach, the paper contributes to the reclamation of African women’s place in knowledge production. The paper coins an African feminist grounded theory, ‘Nafsi African feminism’ that denotes that African women’s knowledge is based on a convergence of their power and vulnerabilities borne out of their lived experiences. Through its study findings, utilising the NVivo data analysis software to thematise, the paper reveals that the knowledge of mothers of al Shabaab recruits touches on institutions, processes, structures, and systems including sociology, political science, education, religion, and health. The paper concludes by calling for the reclamation and capturing of African feminist epistemology to contribute to a holistic and effective approach to addressing violent extremism.

"Virtual reality" as a tool for global manipulation of socio-cultural identity

The subject of the article is the philosophical and cultural methodology of digital "virtual reality", comparing the declarations of developers with the practical possibilities and social consequences of using such technologies. The developers presented projects of online digital content services for all five senses using special equipment (glasses, headphones, interactive gloves, joysticks, costumes, printers of smells and tastes, etc.). It was assumed that virtual reality would surpass the reliability of previous multimedia content and interactive computer games, and the persuasiveness and attractiveness of traditional technical means of art and the press. Failure to fulfill these promises has led to significant losses since 2022 for leading companies developing digital virtual reality technologies Meta (recognized by the court as an extremist organization on 03/21/2022, activity is limited in the territory of the Russian Federation), Microsoft HapticLinks, Cave, AlloSphere, Teslasuit, VRealizer. There was a need to assess how and to what extent the methodology used and the predicted capabilities of digital virtual reality were correct. Philosophical and cultural analysis as a research method reveals: the developers of digital virtual reality promised the methodologically impossible, reducing human perception to the "sum" of the external "five senses" out of connection with the "self", inner sensitivity, bodily self-perceptions. A person is only partially amenable to algorithmized digital interaction; a critical barrier to digital virtuality is the socio-cultural identity of society and personality. The novelty of the results of the analysis lies in the conclusion: digital virtual reality in many respects is fundamentally inferior in effectiveness to traditional technical means of sensory and emotional impact and cognition, used both for creative and destructive purposes. In terms of creative potential, digital virtual reality is inferior to the technical means of art, science, education, upbringing, etc., and in terms of destructive capabilities, it is already used in the press and other mass communications technologies for manipulating public and individual consciousness, as well as psychotropic substances that cause addiction. National regulation of the development of digital "virtual reality" is recommended, aimed at protecting and developing the socio-cultural identity of Russian citizens and society, as well as for cognitive and educational purposes. It is recommended to limit the remote use of such developments to trusted domestic Internet services.

Revisiting Naval Conceptualism with reference to Corbett and Mahan

This article revisits age-old tested naval conceptualism provided by Corbett and Mahan, and critiques as offered by Booth, Gray, Grove, Jones, Rubel, Sestak, Till and Turner. Examples are presented with reference to Israel as a small to medium state and the larger maritime powers of Britain, China, Russia, and the United States. The need arises because naval warfare is linked to and dependent upon technological innovations. Nuclear propulsion, missiles, drones and cyber have changed the nature of warfare and coastguard capability. The roles of naval fleets have also changed in both defense, deterrence, and the offense due to new situations exampled by the Cold War, and asymmetric battles against violent and extremist organizations post 9/11. This has value for cadet training in the heritage of the profession, and the development of abstract considerations for a broad philosophical appreciation of naval and maritime affairs applicable when they become junior and inexperienced offices in planning, deployment, and operation. And beyond to ensure decisions and actions are a combination of experience and knowledge.