Thoughts on neo-, the prefix?

Prompted by this post, but my question would be way off topic for that thread.

Hebrew neofascist threatens pro-Palestine protesters in Toronto with ammonium hydroxide

This is not an attack on OP. I know the use of "neo-" is widespread with some cases like "neo-colonialism" being vastly more meaningful than others coughYaniscough.

What does the modifying prefix "neo" do here, if I may ask? Zionism is a fascist ideology that predates even the coining of the term.Neo means "new" and implies different. Does "neo-fascism" have any legitimate meaning except in a hypothetical situation where we are specifically talking about a new iteration/evolution of Mussolini's brand of fascism?It is similar if not the same with "neo-Nazi.As long as the ideology doesn't qualitatively change, adding a prefix simply to delineate a difference of time seems to obfuscate and weaken. It risks removing the word from its original meaning, connotations and implications. As such, the trend may well be driven by a desire to do just that and should be viewed with suspicion. Thoughts?