Experts see rise of powerful non-state groups as U.S. retreats from global stage

Several trends are giving violent extremist groups a brighter, more profitable future, security officials and experts from around the world said this week at the Soufan Center Security Forum in Doha.

Cryptocurrencies and sophisticated use of shell companies are helping them accumulate funds. AI is making recruitment and disinformation a snap. The reduction of social-media monitoring is enabling such campaigns to flourish. The U.S. retreat from multilateral diplomatic efforts is reducing the pressure that kept such groups in check.

All this is making such groups more powerful, independent, and useful as proxy tools for autocratic regimes. 

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