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Informing your decisions with actionable intelligence
Find here a compilation of some seriously well-reported and sourced global documentaries and news reports on the global interconnectedness, virality, and spreadability of right-wing extremism and violence.
Amid accusations that the German far-right party, the AfD (Alternative für Deutschland), has provoked violence, which it denies, FRONTLINE investigates the overlapping rise of the AfD and far-right extremism in modern-day Germany.
In the almost 80 years since the Holocaust ended, Germany has worked to overcome its Nazi history — prominently acknowledging Nazi crimes and memorializing victims, establishing strict laws about antisemitism and hate speech, and becoming a global leader in welcoming refugees. But over the past decade, Germany has faced a rising wave of far-right violence. “Germany’s Enemy Within” probes extremist attacks and plots, from an attempted massacre of worshippers at a synagogue on Yom Kippur, to a mass shooting targeting Muslims, to the assassination of a pro-refugee politician, to an alleged plot to violently overthrow the German government.
The documentary also examines the AfD’s rise, how anti-immigrant rhetoric has found a foothold in Germany, and how, if the AfD were to win power in the German state of Thuringia, it would be the first time a far-right party has controlled a German state since the Nazis. “Germany’s Enemy Within” is a FRONTLINE Production with Mongoose Pictures in association with Evan Williams Productions. The correspondent, reporter, producer and director is Evan Williams. The senior producer is Dan Edge. The editor-in-chief and executive producer of FRONTLINE is Raney Aronson-Rath.
CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Prologue 04:35 – A Look Back at Germany’s Efforts To Overcome its Nazi History 07:54 – Far-Right Terror Attacks in Germany in Recent Years 17:08 – Why the AfD (Alternative für Deutschland) Party Was on the Radar of German Intelligence 26:45 – An Alleged Far-Right Plot To Overthrow the German Government 36:29 – Why Mass Demonstrations Against the AfD Party Broke Out in 2024 in Germany 44:07 – Why Some German Officials Are Concerned About Democracy in Their Country 52:16 – Credits
Riots by far-right groups in the UK have left many Muslims feeling scared and isolated in the country they call home. What do these actions say about the state of race relations here?
Guests:
Arzu Merali – Co-founder of the Islamic Human Rights Commission
Dal Babu – Former UK Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent
Frances Fitzgerald – Former Member of the European Parliament from Ireland, Former Irish Deputy Prime Minister And Advisor to G7 on Equality
Claire Pearsall – /Former Special Adviser at the UK Home Office
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in office just a month, has promised to crack down on groups of ‘right-wing thugs’ who’ve ignited a week of racially motivated, anti-immigrant riots in towns and cities across England. Nearly 400 people have been arrested in the past few days, and more arrests are expected. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports. Aired: 08/05/24
Italy’s current government is led by the Brothers of Italy party, which has roots in post-war fascism. Its leader, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has said her movement has completely changed and that it is clear her politics are not those of the people raising their arms in Milan. But some fear she and her party have not moved far enough away from their political origins and that what was once considered the extreme is becoming mainstream. Ms Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party bears the same three-colored flame logo adopted by neo-fascist groupings after the Second World War, but she has progressively shifted her movement away from the far right. BBC’s Mark Lowen looks into the world of neo-fascism in Italy for BBC InDepth.
Riding on a surge of growing support over the past decade is France’s far-right political party, National Rally. Formerly known as the National Front, they’ve got their eyes set on seats in the European Parliament elections this June. Montbéliard, a rural town near the Swiss border, was the location of choice for the National Rally’s second stop on the campaign trail to the European elections, trying to garner more support. Newsnight’s Mark Urban has been to the industrial town to speak to people there about why far right speaks to people’s politics.
In this powerful conversation, Amanda Grace and Donne Clement Petruska discuss the prophetic words regarding the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the unfolding events, and the spiritual battle taking place. They also share insights from Kim Clement’s prophetic ministry, the significance of the 2020 election, the 2024 election and the importance of exposure and unity in this critical time for the nation.
A new battle of faith is being driven by some pastors and politicians in the United States. Their central message is that the country’s conservative Christian way of life is under threat, and American society is moving in the wrong direction. The BBC’s Barbara Plett Usher explores the impact of this growing movement on US politics.
When Steve Bannon left his position as White House chief strategist less than a week after the Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally in August 2017, he was already a notorious figure in Trump’s inner circle, known for bringing a far-right ideology into the highest echelons of American politics. Unconstrained by an official post — though some say he still has a direct line to the White House — he became free to peddle influence as a perceived kingmaker, turning his controversial brand of nationalism into a global movement. THE BRINK follows Bannon through the 2018 mid-term elections in the United States, shedding light on his efforts to mobilize and unify far-right parties in order to win seats in the May 2019 European Parliamentary elections. To maintain his power and influence, the former Goldman Sachs banker and media investor reinvents himself — as he has many times before — this time as the self-appointed leader of a global populist movement. Keen manipulator of the press and gifted self-promoter, Bannon continues to draw headlines and protests wherever he goes, feeding the powerful myth on which his survival relies.
Some seven years before he entered the White House, Steve Bannon released a film that predicted a coming world war. Bannon’s documentary, called “Generation Zero,” was based on the book “The Fourth Turning,” which argued that historical cycles predict the future — and that another crisis was looming. Get a glimpse of “Generation Zero” in this excerpt from “Bannon’s War,” coming to FRONTLINE May 23, 2017. From Michael Kirk and the team behind “The Choice 2016” and “Divided States of America” comes an examination of Bannon’s fight to deliver on Trump’s promises, with a confrontational style based on his personal crusade to dramatically transform America.
https://oodaloop.com/archive/2024/08/09/addressing-the-threat-of-political-violence-in-the-2024-elections/
https://oodaloop.com/archive/2024/04/01/widespread-european-farmer-protests-some-violent-are-another-dispatch-from-the-ministry-for-the-future/
https://oodaloop.com/archive/2023/09/22/the-climate-crisis-texas-bitcoin-miners-and-european-farmers/
The global economy experienced slowdowns in 2022-2023, then in the final months of the year has shown signs of strength in the U.S. and other key open societies. Globally there are still looming recessionary threats. Yet, the strengths that emerged from U.S. markets and unemployment figures and what seems to be a decline in inflation are giving rise to more hope. Central banks, including the Federal Reserve, are signaliing it is time to start reducing interest rates as price rises indicate inflation is calming a bit (global inflation is at 5%, in the US officially lower, but still seems painful to average consumer). See: Strategic Transition.
Great power competition introduces new corporate risks, from supply chain disruptions to cyber threats. This competition extends to resources like food, water, and rare-earth elements, with heightened risks surrounding global computer chip supply.
Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Russia’s aggression against Ukraine prompts global repercussions on supply chains and cybersecurity. This act highlights potential threats from nations like China and could shift defense postures, especially in countries like Japan. See: Russia Threat Brief
Israel and Gaza: The horrors of war in the region are also giving rise to uncertainty in markets, but for now it seems the war will not spread throughout the Middle East. There were many initiatives between Israel and Arab/Persian nations that have been stalled due to the war.
Economic Weakness in China: China’s economy faces dim prospects exacerbated by disasters, COVID-19, and geopolitical tensions. Amid limited financial transparency, some indicators suggest China’s economic growth is severely stunted, impacting global economic stability. See: China Threat Brief
Networked Extremism: The digital era enables extremists worldwide to collaborate, share strategies, and self-radicalize. Meanwhile, advanced technologies empower criminals, making corruption and crime interwoven challenges for global societies. See: Converging Insurgency, Crime and Corruption
Food Security and Inflation: Food security is emerging as a major geopolitical concern, with droughts and geopolitical tensions exacerbating the issue. Inflation, directly linked to food security, is spurring political unrest in several countries. See: Food Security
Demographic Time Bomb: Industrialized nations face demographic challenges, with a growing elderly population outnumbering the working-age demographic. Countries like Japan and China are at the forefront, feeling the economic and social ramifications of an aging society. See: Global Risks and Geopolitical Sensemaking
Decision Intelligence for Optimal Choices: Numerous disruptions complicate situational awareness and can inhibit effective decision-making. Every enterprise should evaluate its data collection methods, assessment, and decision-making processes – for more insights: Decision Intelligence.
Proactive Mitigation of Cyber Threats: The relentless nature of cyber adversaries, whether they are criminals or nation-states, necessitates proactive measures. Remembering cybersecurity isn’t solely the IT department’s or the CISO’s responsibility – it’s a collective effort involving the entire leadership. Relying solely on governmental actions isn’t advised, given its inconsistent approach toward aiding industries in risk reduction. See: Cyber Defenses
The Necessity of Continuous Vigilance in Cybersecurity: The consistent warnings from the FBI and CISA concerning cybersecurity signal potential large-scale threats. Cybersecurity demands 24/7 attention, even on holidays. Ensuring team endurance and preventing burnout by allocating rest periods are imperative. See: Continuous Vigilance
Embracing Corporate Intelligence and Scenario Planning in an Uncertain Age: Businesses also confront unpredictable external threats besides traditional competitive challenges. This environment amplifies the significance of Scenario Planning. It enables leaders to envision varied futures, thereby identifying potential risks and opportunities. Regardless of size, all organizations should allocate time to refine their understanding of the current risk landscape and adapt their strategies. See: Scenario Planning
Track Technology-Driven Disruption: Businesses should examine technological drivers and future customer demands. A multidisciplinary knowledge of tech domains is essential for effective foresight. See Disruptive and Exponential Technologies.
Planning for a Continuous Pandemic Landscape: COVID-19’s geopolitical repercussions are evident, with recent assessments pointing to China’s role in its spread. Regardless of the exact origins, the conditions that allowed COVID-19 to become a pandemic persist today. Therefore, businesses must be prepared for consistent health disruptions, implying that a substantial portion of the workforce might always operate remotely, even though face-to-face interactions remain vital for critical decisions. See: COVID Sensemaking
The Inevitable Acceleration of Reshoring and its Challenges: The momentum towards reshoring, nearshoring, and friendshoring signals a global shift towards regional self-reliance. Each region will emphasize local manufacturing, food production, energy generation, defense, and automation. Reshoring is a complex process, with numerous examples of failures stemming from underestimating intricacies. Comprehensive analyses encompassing various facets, from engineering to finance, are essential for successful reshoring endeavors. See: Opportunities for Advantage
About the Author
Daniel Pereira is research director at OODA. He is a foresight strategist, creative technologist, and an information communication technology (ICT) and digital media researcher with 20+ years of experience directing public/private partnerships and strategic innovation initiatives.
Informing your decisions with actionable intelligence
Informing your decisions with actionable intelligence