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FeatureD Explainers

Explainers provide overviews of issues, trends, narratives, platforms and actors across our issue areas of extremism, hate, information operations, polarisation and tech accountability.

Use the filter to narrow down your results by specific issues.

The ‘Great Reset’

Misconceptions about the 'Great Reset', a World Economic Forum initiative responding to COVID-19, have fuelled conspiracy theories in recent years.

ISD Germany, ISD UK, ISD-US

Hybrid Extremism and Nihilistic Violence, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Terrorism and Extremism

Discord & Extremism

While Discord has primarily been a space marketed to gamers, over the years there have been multiple instances of extremist activity on the platform.

Gaming and Alternative Platforms, Terrorism and Extremism

The ‘Great Reset’

Misconceptions about the 'Great Reset', a World Economic Forum initiative responding to COVID-19, have fuelled conspiracy theories in recent years.

Hybrid Extremism and Nihilistic Violence, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Terrorism and Extremism

Memes & the Extreme Right-Wing

This Explainer provides an overview of the use of internet memes by the extreme right wing.

Emerging Technologies, Far-Right Extremism, Kids Online Safety, Tech Accountability and Safety

‘Climate Lockdown’

Climate lockdown’ is a conspiracy theory alleging global elites exploit climate change to justify curtailing freedoms and civil liberties.

Climate, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference

all Explainers

Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery (NCII) Abuse

Non-consensual intimate imagery abuse describes the creation and dissemination of intimate images of a person without their consent.

ISD Germany

Digital Rights and Protections, Emerging Technologies, Misogyny, Tech Accountability and Safety

Proud Boys

The Proud Boys are a US-based political activist group that subscribes to a self-described “Western chauvinist” worldview.

ISD-US

Far-Right Extremism

764

764 is a network of online groups that engage in sextortion and the glorification of violence.

ISD-US

Information Warfare and Online Manipulation, Kids Online Safety, Misogyny

Goyim Defense League (GDL)

The Goyim Defense League is a neo-Nazi network promoting antisemitism, white supremacy and harassment through protests, flyers and online abuse.

ISD-US

Antisemitism, Far-Right Extremism

Left-Wing Extremism

This Explainer outlines definitional considerations regarding far-left extremism, distinguishing between the radical left and left-wing extremism.

ISD Germany, ISD UK, ISD-US

Far-Left Extremism

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a proscribed Islamist group, pursues nationalist jihad, distinct from IS and al-Qaeda's global caliphate ambitions.

ISD UK

Islamist Extremism

Aryan Freedom Network

The Aryan Freedom Network (AFN) is a nationwide neo-Nazi organization in the US that embraces antisemitic, racist and national socialist ideas.

ISD-US

Far-Right Extremism

Militias in the US

This Explainer distinguishes between lawful militia beliefs and unlawful paramilitary actions, aiding legal assessment of militia activity in anti-gov

ISD-US

Hybrid Extremism and Nihilistic Violence, Threat Analysis and Prevention

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