Fact check: Disparities in Violence Among Extremist Groups

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that there are indeed disparities in violence among extremist groups ^[1]. Right-wing actors are significantly more violent than left-wing actors, with a probability of 0.61 for right-wing extremists committing an act of violence compared to 0.33 for left-wing extremists ^[1]. Additionally, Islamist extremists are 131% more likely to result in fatalities than right-wing extremists ^[1]. The sources also highlight the importance of understanding the complexities of radicalization and the need for a unified response to counter extremism ^[2]. Furthermore, far-right extremists have committed more ideologically motivated homicides than far-left or radical Islamist extremists ^[2]. The rising threat of anti-government domestic terrorism, particularly among partisan political beliefs, also contributes to the disparities in violence among extremist groups ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some sources do not provide direct evidence to support or contradict the claim of disparities in violence among extremist groups, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on terrorism, counter-terrorism, and countering violent extremism ^[4]. Other sources discuss the importance of preventing targeted violence and the need for a multidisciplinary approach, but do not specifically address disparities in violence among extremist groups ^{[5] [6]}. The role of online environments and military experience in domestic extremism is also mentioned as a factor that can inform the understanding of disparities in violence among extremist groups ^[2]. Moreover, the growing threat of violent extremism in gaming spaces is highlighted as an area that requires a collaborative approach to prevent ^[7].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may benefit law enforcement and counter-terrorism agencies by highlighting the disparities in violence among extremist groups, which can inform their strategies and resource allocation ^[1]. However, some sources may be biased towards emphasizing the threat of right-wing extremism, which could lead to an overemphasis on this aspect and potentially neglecting other forms of extremism ^[1]. On the other hand, other sources may be biased towards downplaying the threat of left-wing extremism, which could lead to an underemphasis on this aspect ^[2]. Additionally, the sources may not provide a comprehensive picture of the disparities in violence among extremist groups, as some sources do not provide direct evidence or discuss the topic from a different perspective ^{[4] [5]}. The National Institute of Justice and the University of Maryland may benefit from the emphasis on the importance of understanding the complexities of radicalization and the need for a unified response to counter extremism ^{[2] [1]}.