Changing Extremism

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Global extremist violence is evolving, with emerging ideological and operational shifts across various movements.

The conflict in Ukraine and Middle East tensions have overshadowed global extremist trends, but evolving patterns in extremist violence remain critical. A RAND study emphasized the constant evolution in domestic and global extremism, highlighting its diverse causes and implications.

Post-independence India dealt with communist-inspired uprisings, like the Telangana movement, but later experienced a decline in left-wing extremism. However, ideologies such as Naxalism persist, driven by socioeconomic disparities. Globally, the far-right's influence has grown, with increasing xenophobia and nationalism in Europe. Events like Brexit and the rise of right-wing populism signal changing political dynamics. Far-right ideologies exploit fears of immigration and socioeconomic instability, intensifying divisions.

Inadequate global coordination to counter extremism is a growing challenge. The increasing overlap of right-wing extremism with Islamist militancy exacerbates global insecurity. Governments are often unprepared to address the rapid spread of these ideologies, leaving gaps in enforcement and policy adaptation.

In India, movements like Naxalism demonstrate that localized grievances and socioeconomic issues continue to fuel extremism. Effective strategies require coordinated global and domestic efforts, along with a focus on addressing root causes such as inequality, unemployment, and governance failures. Countries must adapt law enforcement and policy frameworks to counter evolving threats while addressing the underlying drivers of extremist ideologies.