Broken megaphone with swirling words of propaganda turning into weapons.

Decoding Terror: What the Red Brigades' Propaganda Reveals About Political Violence

Kai Mendoza in Politics & Policy September 2025 • 4 min read.

"A Deep Dive into the Language and Strategies of a Notorious Terrorist Group"

In an era saturated with information, understanding the power of propaganda—especially when linked to violence—is more critical than ever. The Red Brigades (BR), an Italian terrorist organization active from the 1970s to the late 1980s, provides a stark case study. By meticulously analyzing their communiqués, we can dissect the anatomy of their messaging, revealing how they justified violence, mobilized support, and ultimately, shaped their own narrative.

This article delves into the linguistic and rhetorical strategies employed by the Red Brigades, drawing from a comprehensive study of 181 of their communiqués. The goal is to illuminate how terrorist groups use language not just to communicate, but to manipulate, recruit, and legitimize their actions. Understanding these methods is crucial for countering extremist ideologies and building resilience against radicalization.

We will explore the evolution of the Red Brigades' propaganda, its key themes, and its targets. By examining their rhetoric, we can gain insights into the mindset of a terrorist organization and the dangerous power of words to incite violence.

The Evolution of Terrorist Messaging: Key Propaganda Techniques of the Red Brigades

Broken megaphone with swirling words of propaganda turning into weapons.

The Red Brigades' propaganda evolved through distinct phases, mirroring their strategic shifts and internal developments. Initially, their communiqués were characterized by raw, spontaneous language, filled with insults and direct threats. This "armed propaganda" phase aimed to intimidate opponents and recruit new members by showcasing their defiance.

As the group moved towards more violent actions, their language became increasingly focused on justifying violence as a necessary response to state repression and capitalist exploitation. Key themes emerged, including anti-fascism, resistance, and the need to attack the 'heart of the State.' The messages also contained clear communication strategies and tactics that showed they had a degree of cohesion within the group.

Anti-Fascism: Initially a core theme, the BR used 'fascism' as a broad label for anyone they opposed, from factory managers to the government. This created a sense of historical struggle and righteous indignation.
Repression as Justification: The BR portrayed themselves as victims of state and corporate repression, framing their violence as self-defense. This narrative aimed to garner sympathy and legitimacy among the working class.
Resistance Movement: Drawing parallels to historical resistance movements, like those against the Nazis, the BR sought to position themselves as heroic fighters against oppression. This was more of a symbolic comparison as they were not directly connected.
Attack the Heart of the State: This later phase marked a shift towards direct attacks on the government and its representatives, signaling a more aggressive and uncompromising stance.

Throughout these phases, the BR adapted their language to appeal to different audiences and justify their evolving tactics. Their ability to frame violence as a legitimate response to oppression was a key element of their propaganda strategy.

Lessons from the Red Brigades: Countering Violent Extremism Today

The Red Brigades may be a group from the past, but their propaganda techniques remain relevant in understanding contemporary extremism. By analyzing their use of language, their manipulation of narratives, and their targeting of specific groups, we can better equip ourselves to identify and counter similar tactics used by terrorist organizations today. Promoting media literacy, critical thinking, and inclusive narratives are essential steps in building resilience against violent ideologies and fostering a more peaceful society.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1080/09546553.2017.1364639, Alternate LINK

Title: The Red Brigades’ Communiqués: An Analysis Of The Terrorist Group’S Propaganda

Subject: Political Science and International Relations

Journal: Terrorism and Political Violence

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Authors: Matteo Re

Published: 2017-09-07

Everything You Need To Know

What were the primary goals of the Red Brigades' propaganda efforts?

The Red Brigades (BR) aimed to justify violence, mobilize support, and shape their narrative. They sought to intimidate opponents and recruit members through 'armed propaganda.' As their actions escalated, they used language to portray violence as a response to state repression and capitalist exploitation, framing their actions as necessary for the working class. Their messaging evolved to include themes like anti-fascism, resistance, and attacking the 'heart of the State', adjusting their language to appeal to various audiences and legitimize their tactics.

How did the Red Brigades use 'anti-fascism' in their propaganda?

The Red Brigades (BR) used 'anti-fascism' as a core theme by applying the label 'fascism' broadly to anyone they opposed, including factory managers and the government. This tactic created a sense of historical struggle and righteous indignation, portraying their targets as oppressors. It served as a foundational element in their propaganda, which helped to rally support and justify their violent actions.

What role did 'Repression as Justification' play in the Red Brigades' propaganda?

The Red Brigades (BR) used 'Repression as Justification' to portray themselves as victims of state and corporate repression, framing their violence as self-defense. This narrative aimed to garner sympathy and legitimacy, particularly among the working class. By presenting themselves as responding to oppression, the BR sought to legitimize their actions and gain support for their cause, effectively turning their violence into a perceived act of resistance.

Can you elaborate on the evolution of the Red Brigades' propaganda phases?

The Red Brigades (BR)'s propaganda evolved through distinct phases. Initially, they employed 'armed propaganda' using raw, spontaneous language, including insults and direct threats to intimidate opponents and recruit new members. Later, as they engaged in more violent actions, their language shifted to justify violence. Key themes like anti-fascism, resistance, and attacking the 'heart of the State' emerged, reflecting their strategic shifts. They adapted their language to appeal to different audiences and justify evolving tactics, signaling a more aggressive stance towards the government.

How can lessons from the Red Brigades help counter violent extremism today?

Lessons from the Red Brigades (BR) remain relevant in understanding contemporary extremism. By analyzing their language, manipulation of narratives, and targeting strategies, we can better identify and counter similar tactics used by modern terrorist organizations. Promoting media literacy, critical thinking, and inclusive narratives are essential steps. Understanding how the BR framed violence as a legitimate response to oppression can help us recognize and resist similar manipulations used to radicalize individuals today, fostering a more peaceful society.