Research Questions What are some strategic trends in the WITM/REMVE movements? What is the nature of transnational linkages in the WITM/ REMVE movements? Who are the key actors, organizations, and supporting digital infrastructure in the WITM/REMVE community? How can the relationships and interactions between REMVEs online be characterized?

       Racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism (REMVE) and extremists (REMVEs) present some of the most pressing threats to the United States. REMVE also has been identified as the White identity terrorist movement (WITM). REMVEs are among the most lethal domestic violent extremists, and they are the most likely to commit mass-casualty attacks. These movements are characterized by a broad ideological orientation toward xenophobic, anti-Semitic, racist, and misogynistic sentiment.

       For this report, the authors reviewed the relevant literature on REMVE networks and collected and analyzed social media data from six social networks (Twitter, Reddit, Gab, Ruqqus, Telegram, and Stormfront) to produce a global network map of the digital REMVE space. That network map evaluates each network's construction, connectivity, geographic location, references to prominent organizations, and proclivity to violence. The authors also reviewed ten countries' experiences with REMVE to sketch out an understanding of the REMVE space in these countries and how REMVEs in those countries relate to those in the United States.

       Key Findings The WITM/REMVE global network on social media is largely created and fueled by users in the United States WITM/REMVE is fueled by U.S. domestic drivers, and this movement is less of an issue in other countries. Programs to counter violent extremism are generally most productive when they are local. The primary need is for robust national strategies to counter WITM/REMVE, specifically in the United States. An organization- or actor-focused counter-WITM/REMVE strategy likely will not work because of the diffuse nature of REMVE movements REMVE is a post-organizational movement; many REMVEs are radicalized outside an organized group and groups are loosely organized, meaning that U.S. strategy to counter REMVE should not be centered around key organizations and actors. Intervention strategies should be multifaceted because of the complex nature of the problem and its intersections with protected civil rights The scale of REMVE and the depth of its ideological roots in the United States suggest that targeting and ostracizing sympathizers would not be a successful intervention strategy. There are structural differences in how REMVE manifests and is countered in Europe versus in the United States The parliamentary system in many European countries gives those on the far right a presence in the political system, which provides a nonviolent outlet for fringe-movement adherents. Many European countries also have active intervention and counter-REMVE programs underway.

       Table of Contents Chapter One

       Overview

       Chapter Two

       Literature Review

       Chapter Three

       Network Analysis of WITM and REMVE

       Chapter Four

       Country Case Studies

       Chapter Five

       Conclusion and Opportunities for Impact

       Appendix A

       White Genocide Terms

       Appendix B

       Triangulating Platform Antisociality: Dark Triad by Sentiment

       Appendix C

       Longitudinal Analysis of Highest-Scoring Dark Triad Communities Across Platforms

       Appendix D

       Simulations of Deplatforming or Other Counter-REMVE Action in Online Networks

       Appendix E

       Religion and Christianity Keywords Applied to Twitter

       Appendix F

       Dendrogram of Lexical Similarities by Location on Twitter

       Research conducted by RAND National Security Research Division

       This research was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and conducted within the International Security and Defense Policy Center of the RAND National Security Research Division (NSRD).

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