Prague, Nov 16 (CTK) – Europe might finally start an armed operation against Islamic State, with support from the USA and probably also from the Middle East states, Vaclav Janous writes in Czech daily Mlada fronta Dnes (MfD), adding that the hitherto uncoordinated air raids on IS have not been enough.
After the Friday terrorist attacks in Paris, the EU should admit that it is no longer enough to fight terror by illuminating historical sights red, blue and white as a sign of compassion with France and by shouting slogans “Je suis Paris” or “Pray for Paris,” Janous writes.
The EU must intervene against the evil. It is not enough to say only that we are ready, Janous writes.
It is necessary to side with the Kurdish anti-IS fighters. There is no other way out of this war, though Turkey may dislike the EU´s support for the Kurdish militia, Janous says.
Europe, including its assessment of the Middle East developments, is changing. The Schengen area with the free movement of people is over now. No one rebukes countries for the Orban-like construction of fences, protection of borders and checking of vehicles any more, Janous writes.
We must be prepared for losing a part of our freedoms in exchange for safety, he says.
Some politicians have started to use the words such as “a war” and “a fight,” but they simultaneously call for Europe´s anger not to target all Muslims or refugees, Janous writes.
However, a large part of Europeans have espoused a hostile attitude to refugees for a long time now, and the refugees who are fleeing from the IS cutthroats will probably pay dear for it now, Janous writes.
With the rising fears of Europeans, the popularity of far-right politicians like France´s Marine Le Pen will increase as well, he writes.
Europe is incapable of absorbing the giant refugee wave. After the Paris massacre, Europeans will be even less ready to try their best. On the contrary, it will be easier now for them to justify their negative approach to refugees and asylum granting. This will also afflict those who deserve help, Janous writes.
France may become a warning example in the debate on solidarity and immigrant integration. In the country, where there are about 1,500 mosques and Islam is the second most widespread religion after Christianity, the coexistence and integration of minorities is an example of what this approach should not result in, Janous writes.
The effort to create a single French nation of the original inhabitants combined with immigrants, who come mainly from former colonies, has been a failure. Some of the immigrants who failed to adapt themselves to the French society have been attracted by jihadists, Janous writes.
In reaction to the Paris events, logical arguments will probably be eliminated and multiculturalism will become undesired by people in most European countries, he says.
Simply, Europe has sharply underestimated the war with jihadists, he adds.
Does anybody still doubt that jihadists may be among the refugees flowing to Europe? Does anybody still doubt that Europe has exposed its neck to the terrorist knife by itself when it failed to agree on a joint solution to the refugee crisis and to keep under control the hundreds of thousands of people streaming across Europe without any documents? Does anybody still wonder at people being afraid of the refugees? Janous asks.
It is of no importance if one or more of the Paris attackers had a passport and came to Europe along with refugees or if they got recruited differently. They have come, Janous writes.
The need of a war is evident, as is the view of most Europeans on what should be done now, he continues.
The closure of borders will be a mere beginning, because the West is no longer able to choose who its enemy will be. The question of whether the enemy is the Syrian Bashar Assad regime or Islamic State has been answered. Also evident are the arguments with which NATO can defend its military intervention in Syria, Janous writes.
Otherwise Islamic State will be like a snowball rolling down a slope and growing. To tell the truth, the chance of survival is always low for those hit by an avalanche, Janous concludes.
