Can it Be Stopped?

Today my local news station interviewed an educator who studies religion and radicalization and the host asked him whether the attacks in Brussels could have been prevented.  He cited deep divides among the various ethnic communities in the city as well as lack of communication among the different branches of law enforcement and security.

There are many factors that are conducive to radicalization: poverty, ethnicity, and isolation being the biggest ones.  If the people are being treated badly they will either leave or strike back in unforeseen ways.  Quebec saw that in 1969 and 1970 with the FLQ terrorist bombings - which ironically led to the rise of Quebec separatism and the mass exodus of a large percentage of the English-speaking population.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.  Now we have young Muslims who, unsatisfied with their positions, have chosen violence to justify their existence and make their views known.  For the same reasons.

We will never truly be able to stop terrorism but the situation can be changed if there is the local and political will to do so.  Work more closely with ethnic communities and address their concerns so they won't feel left out.  Put measures in place to help combat poverty and stimulate job growth at the local level.

Not to mention, be very careful about getting involved in another country's business unless specific measures have been requested by the country's legal government.  Nobody likes a butt-inski.