Robust response to terror

The horrendous acts of terrorism that took place in Brussels on Tuesday are a reminder of just how susceptible Europe remains to attacks by the so-called Islamic State, how easy it is for a small group of terrorists to bring a major European city to a standstill and how jihadist terrorism remains a major global security threat. Thirty-one people were killed and 300 injured, some of them critically, in a double suicide attack in the departures lounge of Brussels airport and in a bomb attack at Maalbeek metro station – in the heart of Brussels and very close to a number of European Union institutions. The Belgian authorities have identified two of the four attackers as brothers Khalid and Brahim el-Bakraoui. Brahim el-Bakraoui blew himself up in the attack at the airport while Khalid struck at Maelbeek metro. A third suicide bomber, who attacked the airport, is believed to be Najim Laachraoui, who has been linked to last year's attacks in Paris, showing how co-ordinated these terrorist attacks are. A fourth jihadist, who was seen at the airport, is in custody, according to reports. The attacks came soon after the arrest in Brussels of Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving perpetrator...

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