Email from Counter Extremism Project (CEP) Europe’s Violent Extreme Left—Part 3: The Transnational Dimension This article is part three of a series on left-wing political violence in Europe and provides an illustrative overview of how violent left-wing extremists operate across borders. Parts one and two examined the rise in violent left-wing offenses and the current threat landscape in Germany. The transnational dimension matters because it can allow domestic actors to draw on a wider pool of people, experience, infrastructure, and operational knowledge without requiring a formal European command structure. Key findings: The transnational dimension of Europe’s violent extreme left extends well beyond cross-border attacks. It includes international recruitment, combat training, tactical and capability transfer, shared digital infrastructure, prisoner-support campaigns, fundraising, and participation in armed conflicts abroad. The Antifa Ost–Budapest complex is the clearest recent example of an operational network moving from domestic violence to coordinated attacks in another European country. The case involved cross-border travel, surveillance, target selection, cooperation among militants of several nationalities, and subsequent support campaigns across Europe. Foreign conflicts can increase the capabilities of violence-oriented actors. European left-wing and anarchist volunteers have gained military training, weapons experience, combat skills, and international contacts in northern Syria and Ukraine. The greatest domestic concern arises when such experience is combined with continued involvement in violence-oriented networks. International demonstrations and solidarity campaigns can function as recruitment, networking, and operational environments. Transnational networks also depend on enabling structures that do not necessarily direct violence themselves. Digital platforms can facilitate communication, propaganda, tactical material, and attack claims, while prisoner-support campaigns can preserve networks, raise money, and generate new violent mobilization after arrests. The Gaza conflict has created an additional arena for cross-ideological convergence. Anti-Zionism can connect violent left-wing, Palestinian extremist, and Islamist terrorist actors around shared narratives, targets, campaigns, and methods. Formal European command structures are not necessary for transnational violence. The more significant risk comes from combinations of personal networks, operational experience, violent intent, technical knowledge, logistical support, and access to weapons or explosives across national borders. Continue Reading   The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) is a nonprofit and non-partisan international policy organization working to combat the growing threat posed by extremist ideologies. CEP depends on the generosity of its supporters. If you value what we do, please consider making a donation. DONATE Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe for yourself here. Counter Extremism Project (CEP) | PO Box 3980 | NEW YORK, NY 10185 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice