The evolving threat of far-right extremism and emerging technologies.

Key Chapter Title List

1. Australia's Far-Right: Current Threats and Trends in a Diverse and Fragmented Threat Landscape
2. Addressing Right-Wing Extremism in Australia: Core Challenges and the Role of Masculinity
3. The Global Far-Right's Use of Artificial Intelligence and Alternative Technologies: Case Studies from the UK, US, Australia, and New Zealand
4. 3D-Printed Firearms and Terrorism: Trends and Analysis of Far-Right Usage
5. 2024 Western Elections: Are They Fueling the Far-Right?
6. The Current State of Australia's Far-Right Threat Landscape
7. Key Trends in Australia's Threat Landscape
8. Future Threat Calibration
9. The Diversity of Right-Wing Extremism and the Challenges for Policy Response
10. The Role of Masculinity in Preventing and Countering Right-Wing Extremism
11. Current Discussions and Applications of Artificial Intelligence by the Far-Right
12. Global Trends in 3D-Printed Firearms and Counter-Terrorism Measures

Document Introduction

Far-right extremism, which remains a primary threat in the West, has seen its ideological variants exert influence globally. This group's adoption of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 3D-printed weapons further complicates the terrorism threat landscape. With increasing technological accessibility and affordability, and the approach of the 2024 US presidential election and parliamentary elections in several European countries, the far-right threat is facing new opportunities for evolution, necessitating targeted academic research and policy responses.

This report compiles five thematic papers, constructing a multi-dimensional analytical framework: from the diverse composition and operational trends of Australia's far-right, to the challenges in countering right-wing extremism and the factor of masculinity; from the current application status of technologies like AI and 3D-printed weapons within the far-right, to the potential impact of the 2024 Western elections on far-right forces. Each paper is based on empirical research, combining case studies, data statistics, and ideological deconstruction to present the latest developments in far-right extremism.

The research methodology encompasses multiple levels: including content analysis of Telegram channels from 12 far-right organizations across Australia, the UK, the US, and New Zealand; data-driven research using global 3D-printed firearms databases; collation of public hearing materials from Australian counter-terrorism agencies; and linguistic and discourse analysis of extremist narratives. Through an interdisciplinary perspective, the report integrates theoretical tools from fields such as security studies, political science, sociology, and technology ethics to ensure analytical depth and credibility.

Key findings indicate: Australia's far-right manifests in four interwoven forms—ethnocentrism, religious extremism, anti-government sentiment, and idiosyncratic personal extremism—with risks of youth radicalization and attacks on critical infrastructure becoming prominent; the far-right mobilizes the "angry men" demographic through narratives of masculinity, forming a unique recruitment mechanism; while AI technology is not yet widely or maturely used by the far-right, there is a clear intent to weaponize it for propaganda and attack planning; 3D-printed firearms have become a significant weapon choice for the far-right due to low cost and easy access, particularly concentrated in Europe; the polarized atmosphere of the 2024 Western elections may further exacerbate the risk of far-right violence. This report provides policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and researchers with a core reference for understanding the interactive relationship between the far-right and emerging technologies, offering empirical support for optimizing counter-terrorism strategies and managing technological risks.