Terrorism and Extremism
ISD’s definition of extremism is the advocacy of political and social change in line with a system of belief that claims the superiority and dominance of one identity-based ‘in-group’ over an ‘out-group.’ Extremism advances a dehumanising ‘othering’ mindset incompatible with pluralism and universal human rights. It can be pursued through violent or non-violent means. ISD works to understand and address all ideologies which undermine democratic norms and human rights.
ISD has tracked the evolving playbook of extremism across the ideological spectrum for nearly 20 years. Our analysis has supported strategic responses by governments, tech companies and communities globally. We have pioneered cutting-edge strategic communication approaches and innovative interventions to counter indoctrination and recruitment targeting communities.
Far-left extremism
Polarisation and politicisation around discussions of the far-left has have created a gap in objective analysis rooted in real-world harms. ISD monitors and analyses trends in far-left mobilisation, with a focus on violent groups and actors who promote antisemitism, media manipulation or authoritarian state propaganda.
Far-right extremism
Far-right extremist groups including neo-Nazis, white supremacists and Active Clubs have become increasingly mainstream over the past decade. Their beliefs threaten national and community security, democratic values and individual rights. ISD’s work to counter these ideologies includes providing insights to law enforcement and policy makers around illegal activity, while building community resilience to extremist indoctrination.
Hybrid extremism and nihilistic violence
Society is increasingly threatened by a ‘hybridised’ extremism landscape, in which individuals are radicalised through online ecosystems rather than specific ideologies. An example of this is found in the relatively recent phenomenon of nihilistic violence, which ISD defines as violent acts lacking an ideological motivation and driven by a misanthropic worldview.
Our research has linked nihilistic subcultures – including the mass murderer worshipping True Crime Community and the pseudo-Satanic No Lives Matter – to several mass attacks in 2024 and 2025. While these attacks bear many of the same overt characteristics of extremist violence, they lack a political or ideological dimension, which can often make them harder to categorise and track.
Islamist Extremism
Islamist Extremism presents a politicised supremacist vision of Islam that is antithetical to democracy and human rights. Since the Islamic State (IS) and Al Qaeda’s high water mark a decade ago, Islamist Extremist movements are in a state of flux, spreading across a broad range of violent and political groups globally. We track and respond to these evolving threats using a range of tools and approaches, as well as trying to reach an increasingly young cohort of digital supporters.”
