LindavG;4116682 said:
This sounds great in theory but how do you want to implement this? What strict measures could prevent an attack like this from happening again? I am concerned that in response to these events we will self-impose restrictions on our freedoms which is exactly what the terrorists intended in the first place. Someone said this is not a clash of civilizations but it is. A secular modern Europe is simply incompatible with fundamentalist Islam. These terrorists and those who support them despise everything Europe (and the West) stands for. That is why the best way to defeat them is not to give in to our fears and put "safety" over everything but to continue to defend our freedom of expression, freedom of travel and freedom of (and from!) religion.
For me, it is a clash of civilizations between Islam & West. I mean there is a division (based on cultural/religious differences) between Islam & West that neither can be ignored nor can be fully erased.
Muslim terrorist groups (mainly ISIS & Taliban) are to blame for the majority of the worldwide terrorist attacks. These groups that are induced by religious incentives (a prophecy fulfillment, for example) refuse to accept that peace is a fundamental right, & thus target (& kill) European citizens so as to get the terrorists’ messages across.
The defense against (Muslim) terrorism can be carried out in several ways, for example:
There is no doubt that Muslim terrorists must be kept off from Europe at all costs. Implementing strict measures (mainly,
military ones) on Europe’s borders is a step in the right direction. Also, the Mediterranean coast is an area that has to be given a great priority because of its territorial, special needs (many small Greek islands, for example).
Also, immigration policies have to become
stricter & more effective. Countries that constitute a natural, European border (such as the Southern European ones) have to impose even stricter immigration measures, & if necessary, to restrict at the lowest possible degree the influx of Muslim immigrants.
Building mosques in Europe or introducing laws that allow Islamic schools to operate in European countries do more harm that good to the fight against this phenomenon. European governments have to be more
cautious & sceptical about such kind of freedom that potentially can act as an incubator for such extreme, religious-driven, violent behaviors.
Also, Europe has to implement
laws that ostracize (religious) fanaticism & extremism while its values of democracy are being greatly secured. The fact that European governments encourage (or do not forbid) conversion to Islam is a parameter that potentially can worsen the phenomenon of terrorism.
Of course, co-operation between European governments & USA is crucial (although the terrorist cases between these two territories do not share many similarities). But, both parties can be benefited in many levels (exchange of know-how, for example).
I can understand that these terrorist, Muslim groups are very flexible in the way they act & its members can very easily penetrate countries (acting many times autonomously so as to get the desired geographical access). But, to self impose restrictions on our freedom, for the most part, can only hamper our life without necessarily eliminate the existence of this phenomenon.