This is by far the biggest ever issue of e-Extreme. As well as the usual sections, we have added two new ones which we hope will become regular features. The first covers 'Background Articles' on two highly topical issues - the 'success' of (left) extremists in the French 2002 Presidential elections, and the rise (and assassination) of Pim Fortuyn during early 2002 in the Netherlands. We welcome further contributions of this type - namely works which are meant to be informative, especially for non-specialists, rather than short academic articles (offers and suggestions, please, to Cas). The second new section looks at 'Websites and Webpages'. Although we have sometimes highlighted interesting sites before, we hope that this will become a more systematic feature of our journal: suggestions (to Michael) as to what to cover in the future would be most welcome.
The regular conferences section includes a call for panels and papers for the ECPR General Conference in 2003 at Marburg (an historic site in the annals of the rise of 'new' anti-Semitic and populist politics in late 19th century Germany). We very much hope that our Standing Group will be represented there, and welcome suggestions for panels/papers. These could cover the obvious topics which link our membership, such as extremism of left and right, terrorism, and religion and politics. Or they might cover topics which cut across the normal academic specialisms, such as charisma, leadership, or responses to extremism. We look forward to meeting many of you in Germany in 2003. These should be fruitful sessions not only in their own right, but also as a forum for discussing how to further consolidate our ever-expanding Standing Group.
By this time the Editorial 'we' will have changed, as Roger is standing down (though he hopes to be at Marburg), and is being replaced by Ami Pedahazur (University of Haifa). Cas (who has shouldered much of the burden so far) and Michael will continue in post.