After the attack in Belgium, the EU countries are on alert. The 45-year-old perpetrator, a Tunisian who was taken to intensive care with gunshot wounds and later died, was not unknown to the authorities. Experts expect the terrorist threat situation across Europe to deteriorate further in the coming weeks and months. In an interview with “Krone”, Nicolas Stockhammer comments on the security situation in the EU and Austria.
“Kron”:Doctor Stockhammer, how did you find out about the vaccinations in Brussels on Monday?
Nicolas Stockhammer: My research assistant informed me, and then the first messages appeared on social media.
What was your first thought when you heard about the attack?
That there may be a connection with the current situation in Israel. But this idea has not been confirmed; instead, everything seems to indicate that it has something to do with Quran burnings in Sweden.
Why do you believe this?
The perpetrator deliberately shot at people wearing Swedish football shirts. There is also an unconfirmed video message from the gunman in which he also confessed to burning the Quran. What is certain is that he is committed to the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS) and not to Hamas or other terrorist organizations.
How do Hamas and Hezbollah, another terrorist organization from Lebanon, view these or similar attacks?
There is always a way to process such events in their own way, and if it fits into their own propaganda channels, they will take it up substantively. The conflict in the Middle East is definitely an accelerator for terrorist activities and there is a direct connection in this way. If Israel invades the Gaza Strip, the threat of terrorism in Europe will certainly increase. And I dare to predict that there will be fears of further terrorist activity in the coming weeks and months. Especially by lone perpetrators or small cells. IS terror is just around the corner in Europe.
It was not the first terrorist attack in Brussels. Why can’t the security forces take control of Brussels?
Apparently the police there are not very efficient, and it is beyond me why so many terrorist attacks happen there.
Should we now expect attacks in Austria again?
The terrorist threat situation in Austria is abstract. But it cannot be ruled out that this could happen again in this country in the near future. We are no longer an island of the blessed. I have also written a book on this subject, which will be published on November 2.
How can society fight against these terrible terrorist attacks?
Prevention is certainly the best recipe. It is also important to combat radicalization in the personal environment and to strongly oppose statements that trivialize terrorism.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
