Islamic State pushing at an open door to divide Europeans

“Islamic State is pushing at an open door,”

said Anand Menon, professor of European Politics at King’s College London.

“If their intention is to divide Europeans, this is happening already. You take what they said: That this attack is retribution for French intervention in Syria. This infects the British debate about getting involved in Syria, and will make the Germans more allergic to using force. Europe is very fragile right now.”

He said the financial crisis is opening a “north-south” divide, with Italy and Greece feeling the pain of EU-imposed austerity cuts in public spending, even as they cope with ever larger refugee numbers.

There is no European consensus on whether to use more force against Islamic State strongholds, and no consensus on how to cope with the arrival of so many people seeking a better life in Europe.

Flag of islamic state of iraq (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As some European leaders use airstrikes to try to weaken Islamic State in its self-declared Caliphate in parts of Syria and Iraq, the radicals’ siren call has seduced some European Muslims, triggering a small but steady flow to Syria, with some returning home with murderous intentions.

> Syria’s civil war now Europe’s war after Paris attacks

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Preceding articles:

Read what happened this weekend in Paris: Brussels-born Salah Abdeslam key suspect Paris terrorist attacks

Syrian but also Belgian connection to French attacks

A sleeper cell of militants was said directing attackers sent back to France from Islamic State’s de-facto capital in Raqqa, Syria

Is ISIS a product of American in-action or a product of direct action

Brussels-born Salah Abdeslam key suspect Paris terrorist attacks

Syrian but also Belgian connection to French attacks

Public not informed enough about Jihad terrorism in Belgium

Juncker warns for possible new war

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Additional reading:

1. Debit crisis in Greece seen as witch threat
2. Impact of the crisis on civil society organisations in the EU – Risks and opportunities
3. Economic crisis danger for the rise of political extremism

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Further reading:

1. US, French Defense Ministers Discuss Campaign Against Islamic State
2. The Nihilistic Assaults On Paris – OpEd
3. Ordinary peace-loving person tries to make sense of terrorism
4. The Liberal Islam Problem
5. The France theater Attacks
6. Paris attacks: What we know so far about the victims
7. In Photos: As France mourns, Europe holds moment of silence in honour of Paris victims
8. Post About it, Be About it: thoughts on social media activism
9. Terrorists Infiltrated Europe Disguised as Refugees
10. Reuters: Islamic State threatens attack on Washington, other countries
11. Making ☮ : Where does the peace symbol come from?
12. Paris, Pussies And Pinterest
13. A Moment of Silence
14. Passport found near Paris suicide bomber shows few security checks exist for migrants in the Balkans
15. Facebook defends using Safety Check after Paris attacks
16. “We The People Speak” Marketing Campaign
17. When Compassion Imperils our Security
18. TV Quiberon 24/7 WORLD – Minute’s silence for Paris victims
19. I’m with you
20. Celebrities mourn Nick Alexander, merch manager killed in Paris attack
21. Anonymous declares war on Islamic State after Paris attacks
22. BidenJam Returns: Lame-Duck VP Brings L.A. Road Closures Monday & Tuesday
23. A Message About The Paris Attacks, And Also Peace
24. French fighter jets bomb ISIL capital in Syria as ‘massive’ retaliation for Paris attacks
25. Make no mistake, the Paris attacks were a result of Religious Fundamentalism
26. Paris attacks deepen Republican opposition to Syrian refugee influx
27. On the attacks in Paris.
28. Disturbing comparisons
29. Investigation on Paris attacks continues as authorities look for suspects

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