After several years, terrors returned to Russia and to Europe, too. The shooting attack at the rock concert on the outskirts of Russia's Capital, Moscow killed 143 people and wounded many others. It was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Russia's modern history. And terror alarm has once again rang across Europe.
| A memorial sign for the victims of the terrorist attack in Moscow. Photo: VNA/AFP |
Terror stroked again in Russia and so on the continent. The West's intelligence agencies quickly identified the terrorist attackers as members of the IS-K (Islamic State of Khorasan Province). Russia's President Vladimir Putin also blamed the IS jihadists for the Moscow attack.
For Russia, as well as for Europe, there are now two complicated and sensitive problems: the return of terrorism and the terrorist attacks conducted by Islamic jihadists and extremists inside the country and the continent. Islamic terrorist attacks aren't new in Europe and Russia. They aren't new phenomena but bitter realities on the continent for a long time. The only but fateful difference is the changed circumstances under which terrorist attacks happen. It is the ongoing war in Ukraine between Russia and Ukraine and the compromise-less confrontation between Russia and the West. It is the visible collapse of the old world order. It is a world of instability and without enduring securities. These circumstances, this state of the world, and this security and social situation in Russia and Europe become more and more favorable for the terrorists to strike again on the continent.
One other old pest for Russia and Europe is Islamic extremism and Islamic radicalism. They grow and expand everywhere wars and conflicts are underway, and insecurity and instability are predominant.
It is the old threat for Russia and Europe. However, dealing with it is becoming more difficult under these new circumstances because the needed true and effective cooperation between all countries on the continent isn't possible amid war and confrontation, mistrust, and a win-lose approach.
Now, whether Europe could successfully manage the fight against terrors, especially Islamic terrorism, extremism, and radicalism, will first of all mostly depend on whether and how this cooperation will be shaped, cooperation among all countries and partners on the continent, cooperation between Russia and the West and on whether Russia, Ukraine and the West as quick as possible end the war in Ukraine and the confrontation between Russia and the West. It depends on how this continent cohabitates with Islam. Therefore, the recent terrorist attack in Moscow was full of lessons for both Russia and Europe as well.
Disclaimer: The reflections expressed by Ambassador Tran Duc Mau are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Hanoi Times.
