Right-wing extremism in Norway remains a high-risk threat

Fifteen years after the 22 July attacks, researcher Cathrine Thorleifsson warns that the potential for far-right violence in Norway remains high, according to Dagbladet.

Thorleifsson, an extremism expert, contributed to the new anthology Right-Wing Extremism in Norway After 22 July, which examines both traditional far-right movements and modern online radicalisation. She emphasises that far-right extremists are not isolated individuals but part of digital communities that reinforce violent ideologies.

These online spaces spread conspiracy theories and white supremacist myths, including the belief in an ongoing race war that must be accelerated. Thorleifsson describes them as a “salad bar phenomenon,” where racist humour, personal anecdotes, and gaming culture blend, lowering the threshold for violence.

She cites Norwegian attackers Anders Behring Breivik and Philip Manshaus, as well as New Zealand’s Brenton Tarrant, as examples of individuals radicalised in such forums. Thousands of Norwegians engage in these spaces, often dismissing their participation as irony or dark humour, but this normalises extremist ideas.

Thorleifsson also highlights the “game frame” dynamic, where racist content is shared in a context that blurs reality, desensitising participants. She warns that mainstream platforms and public figures, including global figures like Elon Musk, have contributed to the normalisation of extremist expressions.

While security authorities have improved preparedness, she urges media outlets to remain vigilant to avoid amplifying extremist narratives.