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Nihilistic violence adds to South-east Asia’s youth radicalisation concerns
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A toy firearm is displayed among other evidence during a press conference following explosions that occurred at a mosque in a school complex in Jakarta, on Nov 11, 2025.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Nihilistic violent extremism (NVE) is a growing threat in South-east Asia, driven by youth alienation and online content, distinct from traditional ideological movements.
- Rapid digitalisation exposes youths to violent online communities like the True Crime Community, normalising aggression and fostering diverse extremist ideas.
- Governments struggle to counter NVE as it is poorly understood and doesn't fit traditional terrorism definitions, necessitating evolving, collaborative strategies.
AI generated
JAKARTA – Unlike traditional extremists, nihilists do not have a cause – they just want to watch the world burn.
As Indonesian police pieced together the events behind November’s bombing at a mosque within the SMAN 72 High School in north Jakarta, what stood out to them was the lack of a motive
