Is North Macedonia Prepared to Combat Online Foreign Influence?

The digital landscape has become a critical battleground against violent extremism and the spread of anti-democratic values. Authoritarian regimes [1] and extremist groups are increasingly leveraging the internet to radicalize individuals, promote harmful ideologies, and incite religious and nationalist populism. Disturbingly, recent reports indicate that online platforms in some European countries are even used to plan[2] and execute terrorist attacks.[3] In response, the EU has adopted Regulation (2021/784) to address the dissemination of terrorist content online (TCO). This raises a crucial question: To what extent has North Macedonia developed the capacity to counter these evolving threats? 

A recent needs assessment report[4], focused on North Macedonia’s needs in combating online extremism, sought to answer this question by examining the strengths and weaknesses of public institutions, particularly security agencies, in adapting to new trends in violent extremism and terrorism. The findings paint a concerning picture.

The Rising Tide of Online Extremism in North Macedonia

Despite the absence of violence since the 2001 conflict, North Macedonia is experiencing a worrying increase in hate speech between its two largest ethnic communities on social media.[5] Political tensions, particularly those with an ethnic dimension, have fueled polarization, hateful, and extremist content online. This complex situation is further exacerbated by the emergence of religious ethnocentrism.[6] Some platforms openly propagate violence, with support from Serbia and Russia.[7]

Beyond ethno-centric extremism, there’s a growing trend of Islamist populism on online platforms.[8] This refers to a political ideology that (mis)uses religious narratives for political aims, distinct from Islam as a faith. The narrative employed by many social media pages promoting this form of violent extremism clearly indicates propaganda from Islamist regimes in Turkey (Sunni Islamism) [9], Iran (Shiite Islamism)[10], and/or Saudi Arabia (Wahabi Islamism).[11]

Furthermore, reports suggest a new avenue for attracting young people to violent extremism in North Macedonia: video games,[12] chat rooms,[13] and video game centers.[14] In the past, a significant number of young individuals were recruited through such centers[15] to fight with terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq. Clearly, North Macedonia is not immune to the global threat of online radicalization, facing challenges in combating extremist ideologies, foreign fighter recruitment, and the use of digital platforms to incite violence. In this increasingly sophisticated digital landscape, timely recognition and prevention are paramount.

Key Challenges and the Path Forward

The needs assessment report on institutional capacities of North Macedonia in countering online extremism [16] highlights several critical areas for improvement within country’s system. While five institutions actively monitor online security threats – the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Defense, National Security Agency, Intelligence Agency, and Financial Intelligence Directorate – a major challenge is their lack of coordination. The National Committee for Countering Violent Extremism and Counter Terrorism (NCCVECT)[17], responsible for coordinating institutional policies on this issue, plans to form a coordinating body for this purpose. This body would not only coordinate internet investigations but also serve as a contact point for cooperation with international partners like EUROPOL[18] and the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism.[19] The government aims to establish this body between 2025 and 2027, and its realization in the next two years remains to be seen.

Beyond coordination, North Macedonia also lacks new technical capacities to monitor and combat online extremist content. EU countries, in coordination with EUROPOL, utilize sophisticated Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)[20] tools. Acquiring such tools requires substantial government funding. EUROPOL also coordinates EU countries in combating online security threats through the PERCI[21] system, which processes orders to companies like Facebook, YouTube, and X for the removal of terrorist or violent extremist content within one hour. North Macedonia, however, must await EU membership to access such resources.

While the Criminal Code[22] provides a framework (Article 394-b paragraph 3, and Article 394-g) for prosecuting online violent extremism-related offenses, and a groundbreaking case[23] is pending against four individuals accused of forming a terrorist organization via Telegram, North Macedonia lacks a specific regulation, similar to the EU’s, that addresses the latest trends in this area, such as the one-hour content removal order.

Recommendations for a Safer Digital Future

The rapid and increasingly sophisticated trends of online extremism and terrorism, coupled with existing societal vulnerabilities to indoctrination by state and non-state actors of authoritarian regimes, underscore the critical importance of building adequate institutional capacities. To foster more dynamic progress, the report offers several key recommendations:

• Form a Coordinating Body: Online security threats can only be effectively addressed through coordination, including information sharing, experience exchange, and best practices among institutions. The government must prioritize the formation of a coordinating body for internet investigations.
• Invest in Human Resources: The government should either hire dedicated experts for monitoring online security threats or provide professional training for existing institutional staff, in collaboration with credible international organizations.
• Build Technical Capacities: The government needs to secure software solutions to address online security threats. While acquiring a full OSINT platform might be financially challenging, a temporary solution could involve public-private partnerships with domestic IT companies offering professional digital analytics and 24/7 monitoring services.
• Introduce Specific Regulation: To align with EU standards, North Macedonia should introduce specific regulations that address the latest trends in online extremism, especially regarding rapid content removal.

In modern societies and governments, calling for good and preventing evil on digital platforms is an imperative. North Macedonia’s ability to safeguard its societal cohesion depends on its commitment to these crucial steps.

FOOTNOTES

[1] Analysis of hybrid threats in the Western Balkans, Strategic Analysis SK, online accessed at: https://www.strategicanalysis.sk/analysis-of-hybrid-threats-in-the-western-balkans-implications-for-slovakia/

[2] European Union Terrorism Situation and Trends Report 2025, EUROPOL, online accessed at: https://www.europol.europa.eu/cms/sites/default/files/documents/EU_TE-SAT_2025.pdf

[3] Evaluation of Regulation (EU) 2021/784 addressing the dissemination of terrorist content online (TCO), International Center for Counter Terrorism, online accessed at: https://icct.nl/project/evaluation-regulation-eu-2021784-addressing-dissemination-terrorist-content-online-tco

[4] Institutional capacities of North Macedonia in countering online extremism, Horizon Civitas, online accessed at: https://www.horizon.mk/publications/

[5] Online Extremism in North Macedonia: Politics, Ethnicities and Religion, Institute for Strategic Dialogue, online accessed at: https://strongcitiesnetwork.org/resource/online-extremism-in-north-macedonia-politics-ethnicities-and-religion/

[6] Facebook page: Christian Brotherhood CHB, online accessed at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/154089586003360/

[7] Informal social media page, online accessed at: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19VyMcFTTo/

[8] Islamist Extremists in North Macedonia Keep Up Online Propaganda, BIRN, online accessed at: https://balkaninsight.com/2022/12/28/islamist-extremists-in-north-macedonia-keep-up-online-propaganda/

[9] Sunni Islamist Facebook page, online accessed at: https://www.facebook.com/gazetaselam

[10] Shiite Islamist Facebook page, online accessed at: https://www.facebook.com/Ora.Islame

[11] Wahhabi Islamist Facebook page, online accessed at: https://www.facebook.com/arabia.saudite.toka.teuhidit

[12] Online and Offline (De)radicalization in the Balkans, ELIAMEP, online accessed at: www.eliamep.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/PAVE-D5.1-Online-and-Offline-Deradicalisation-in-the-Balkans.pdf

[13] The Online Space as a Catalyst for Radicalization in North Macedonia, Global Network on Extremism & Technology, online accessed at: https://gnet-research.org/2023/10/11/the-online-space-as-a-catalyst-for-radicalisation-in-north-macedonia/

[14] Understanding the relationship between radicalization and the Media in North Macedonia, ELIAMEP, online accessed at: https://www.eliamep.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Policy-Paper-141-PAVE-ELIAMEP-second-paper_FINAL.pdf

[15] Working towards resilient communities, Analytica Think Tank, online accessed at: https://www.analyticamk.org/images/2018/CVE-EN-FINAL-WEB_272e4.pdf

[16] Institutional capacities of North Macedonia in countering online extremism, Horizon Civitas, online accessed at: https://www.horizon.mk/publications/

[17] Official website of NCCVECT, online accessed at: https://nccvect.gov.mk/

[18] Official website of EUROPOL, online accessed at: https://www.europol.europa.eu/

[19] Official website of GIFCT, online accessed at: https://gifct.org/

[20] OSINT Framework website, online accessed at: https://osintframework.com/

[21] Platforme Europeenne de Retraits de Contenus Illegaux sur Internet (PERCI) is EUROPOL’s tool connects EU member states and hosting service providers (HSP) for facilitation of referrals and removal orders, more info at:https://www.europol.europa.eu/cms/sites/default/files/documents/PERCI%20TCO%20regulation_partial%20release.pdf   

[22] The Criminal Code of North Macedonia, online accessed at: https://www.vertic.org/media/National%20Legislation/Macedonia_FYR/MK_Criminal%20Code_2009.pdf

[23] Four Individuals Arrested in North Macedonia, Suspected of ISIS Link, Euronews, online accessed at: https://euronews.al/en/four-individuals-arrested-in-north-macedonia-suspected-of-isis-links/