From letters to bombs. Transnational ties of West German right-wing extremists, 1972–1978

Extremists cooperate internationally to ‘influence and succeed’ or ‘survive thrive’ [Moghadam, A. (2017). Nexus of Global Jihad: Understanding cooperation among terrorist actors. Columbia University Press (p. 21)]. Yet, the question how such materializes develops has been understudied, especially for right-wing extremism in post-war era. Therefore, this paper studies a phase heightened transnational activity West German extremists between 1972 1978. It zooms on Nationalsozialistische Kampfgruppe Großdeutschland Gruppe Otte, which were spatially temporally connected by American neo-Nazi Gary Lauck, who led Deutsche Arbeiterpartei – Auslandsorganisation. To study qualify impact engagement extreme right, introduces new analytical framework that integrates historical approach with insights from terrorism studies. Pairing known case previously unused primary source material, argues connections three groups transformed indirect direct cooperation, while evolving across ideological, logistical, operational domains, resulted political violence. concludes extremist marked professionalization multi-lateralization right 1970s.