Europe Needs To Create Unified Anti-Terrorism Force – OpEd
The terrorist attack in Brussels that killed more than 30 people and injured more than 200 men and women has come just a few weeks after two other terrorist attacks in France that took away many innocent lives and injured a large number of people. Such frequent terrorist attacks obviously highlight the fact that the European nations have not adequately coordinated between themselves and evolved a strong and suitable strategy to put down the terrorist acts once for all.
What is particularly surprising is that despite such terrorist threats that have been hanging in the air for several months, European nations have” innocently” allowed a large number of refugees from everywhere to enter Europe and now stay almost permanently. This has happened without the European nations exercising due care in screening the refugees.
One cannot but see sort of lethargic and careless approach on the part of several European governments in tackling the “migrant onslaught”. On the other hand, a few European nations have really encouraged the migrants by giving an impression that these European governments are overtly sympathetic to the migrants and would be willing to entertain them and help them in resettling in Europe. In doing so, certainly these European nations have not worked out a strategy or long term action plans in dealing with these migrants. The lack of forward planning is shocking.
Now, confronted with the repeated terrorist attacks, European nations may not really know as to from where the terrorists come , as the terrorists could have entered Europe in the garb of migrants. In such circumstances, the terrorist attack faced by Europe may not be due to terrorists at the doorstep but may well be inside the door itself.
The terrorist problem is too serious to be dealt with soft glove anymore. Certainly, the police force in Europe , conditioned now for several years in dealing with offenses by isolated people largely in peaceful set up, has to reorganize itself .
It may be appropriate for the European nations to join together and organize an integrated European anti terrorist force under one head and provide it with enough support and resources by the individual European countries. However, it appears that it would be more easily said than done.
The ground reality is that while a few European countries are economically and technologically strong, this cannot be said about all countries in Europe .It is evident that there is conflict of interest between some European countries, with Russia often having disputes and disagreement with countries in western Europe and sharp exchanges between the leaders of these countries no more uncommon.
While the threat of terrorism is common for all European countries, the question is whether all European nations will have the wisdom and foresight to understand that such terrorist acts cannot be eliminated and terrorism cannot be put down by isolated efforts of a few affected countries. So far, when terrorist attack has taken place in one European country, other European countries have condemned such acts and pledged support. But nothing really appear to have happened beyond this.
Another aspect that one cannot miss is that United Nations Organisation appear to have become a non entity, as far as the issue of terrorism is concerned. It seems to have reduced itself to the level of talking shop.
The repeated attacks in Europe have caused enough damage by creating feeling of fear, panic and uncertainty among the people living in Europe and those visiting Europe, making them wonder from where the next terrorist attack would come. This is a very undesirable condition and it is the duty of European governments to create confidence in the mind of the people living in Europe as well as those visiting Europe that European governments are capable of tackling this menace.
Not only Europe, but the entire world is watching as to how the European governments would respond to this disturbing scenario.
