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This study explored the victim-perpetrator nexus in the context of cognitive online radicalisation. Specifically, we examined if a person’s age and whether they were exposed to extremist content/users incidentally or following active search shape perceptions of victimhood. We further assessed whether and how perceptions of victimhood shape support for distinct criminal justice responses.

The author seeks to highlight just how central this unofficial Islamic State ecosystem is to audiences inspired by the group and how the interplay between this ecosystem and youth requires reframing the challenge rather than doubling down on the same playbooks. This article will first present the connection between these young peoples’ use of social media and their attacks. The author will then seek to create the tie-in between the real-world threats posed by these youth-led plots and the unofficial digital ecosystem of the Islamic State, going beyond and expanding the author’s previous work into the ecosystem. 16 This tie-in will be followed by an analysis of the unofficial Islamic State ecosystem, expanding on what the author has already published about it, and will do so by diving into the outlets and tactics central to the ecosystem, and will conclude with recommendations for digital counterterrorism practitioners and researchers. The article will build on a broader report by the author on the Islamic State’s online activities that was published by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) on February 12, 2025.

The aim of the article is to present the phenomenon of radicalization of young Muslims from both Muslim countries and Western Europe, which takes place using new media. The paper uses the method of critical analysis of sources because it allows the interpretation of facts and relating them to the motives of conduct and the increase in popularity of radical religious movements. Referring to the theory of mediation and mediatization of religion, the article analyzes the impact of new media on Islam and presents some of their effects, which contribute to the creation of a radical version of this religion. The radicalization of religious views among young Muslims takes place on three levels: religious-cultural, social and political. All of these fields are dominated by social media. Ease of access to them gives a sense of belonging to the global Islamic community, which results in the belief in the unique strength and unlimited possibilities of the entire community. In their analysis, the authors showed the relationship between the characteristics of new media users and their low resistance to the propaganda of radical Islamist movements and terrorist groups used against them, as well as the opportunities that new media provide to terrorist groups in using Islam to build and strengthen their structures.

This study investigates the evolving challenges intelligence and law enforcement agencies face in countering Salafi jihadist terrorist activities across digital platforms, focusing on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and data fusion technologies in open-source intelligence (OSINT) methodologies. Through an analysis of case studies involving ISIS and other non-state actors, the study examines how terrorist organisations adapt their digital strategies to evade detection while exploiting social media platforms, instant messaging applications and websites for recruitment, propaganda, and operational planning. The study demonstrates the necessity of developing advanced technological solutions such as the integration of AI-enhanced OSINT capabilities, combined with data fusion approaches, that can improve analysts’ ability to process multilingual content, identify threat actors who use online anonymity, and detect patterns of terrorist activity across multiple network layers. However, the study also reveals critical ethical and operational challenges in balancing effective counter-terrorism measures with privacy rights and civil liberties. The study concludes that while OSINT, AI and data fusion tools can substantially augment human analysis capabilities, successful counter-terrorism efforts require a carefully calibrated approach combining technological innovation and human expertise.

The abuse of digital technologies by violent extremists is keeping pace with the exponential growth of new technologies, and poses multifaceted challenges to national and global security. Cyber-enabled threats manifest for example in terrorist-operated websites, the shift to alternative or fringe social media platforms, the use of the decentralised web, the exploitation of gaming and adjacent platforms, and the abuse of live-streaming technologies to amplify terrorist and violent extremist attacks. In addition to these online activities, there are concerns also around more disruptive or destructive cyber operations, such as Distributed Denial-of-Service attacks and the hacking of critical infrastructure to cause civilian casualties. In all the research on the diverse range of malicious actors behind these threats, there is comparatively little on the online activity of violent extremist movements, whether right-wing or left-wing, in the Global South.

This report forms part of UNICRI’s effort to investigate the threats stemming from the complex interplay between terrorism, violent extremism and cybercriminality – threats that are often overlooked, owing to the difficulty of gathering evidence and attributing offensive cyber operations, and to the prioritisation of more pressing security threats in diverse geographic locations. UNICRI strives to shed light on the online presence, activities and trends of right- and left-wing violent extremist movements and the cyber-enabled threats they may consequently pose to global security. The report was compiled following a three-part research methodology consisting of a literature review, expert interviews and open-source investigations conducted in order to analyse the online activities of right- and left-wing violent extremist movements in South America, Africa and Asia, and examining both their intent and ability to mount offensive cyber-attacks.

The report includes particular case studies within these regions, including in Brazil, South Africa, India and Maritime South-East Asia. The case studies were selected because of the availability of public information online, the known presence of active non-state violent extremist actors with right- and left-wing ideologies, the similarities and differences these actors present, and their geographic diversity. These factors, and consequently the choice of case studies, demonstrate the global nature of the phenomenon which still requires contextually relevant solutions.

This protocol outlines a systematic review that aims to understand the effectiveness of educational programmes, delivered both online and offline, designed to prevent and counter the effects of online violent extremist propaganda in multiple languages. The primary objective is to assess the impact of interventions on reducing violent extremist attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. A secondary objective is to identify key factors that influence the effectiveness of these interventions. Eligible studies will include randomised controlled trials and quasi‐experimental designs that evaluate interventions, such as media literacy initiatives, counter‐narratives, alternative narratives and gamified approaches. The analysis will synthesise outcomes using meta‐analysis and narrative synthesis, concentrating on attitudinal and behavioural extremism measures. By addressing a significant research gap, this review aims to provide actionable insights for developing educational strategies to mitigate online extremist propaganda’s spread, impact and radicalising influence.