The terrorist threat in Europe and throughout the world is here for a long time. It will not reduce as the territories controlled by ISIS in Syria and Iraq diminish. Even in the event that the ISIS loses the territories it controls in Syria and Iraq, in Deir Ez-Zor, Raqqa and so on, the terrorist threat in Europe will remain, Dmitry Suslov, Programme Director of the Valdai Club said in an interview with valdaiclub.com.

       On the evening of August 17, a van ran down pedestrians on La Rambla Street in Barcelona. 13 people were killed and more than 100 injured. The same night in Cambrils, south of Barcelona, another group of terrorists tried to repeat the terrorist attack in Barcelona, running people down. Six people were injured and five of the attackers were killed. Several terrorists were killed, intelligence services continue the search for suspects. ISIS took responsibility for the attack on Barcelona took.

       Reasons for the Spread of Terrorism

       Both external causes and internal issues will facilitate the continuation of terrorism and radical Islamism in Europe. The Islamic world, the Greater Middle East, has plunged into a period of complex and deep instability, the most serious transformation that will last for many decades. During these decades, radical sentiments will be very strong.

       ISIS’ loss of large territories in Syria and Iraq will not reduce the problem of terrorism in Europe. Even if ISIS itself is so weakened that it will not be able to carry out large-scale hostilities, it will still be able to commit terrorist attacks. New terrorists would then take the place of the ISIS: the names of the new terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq emerge very frequently, and this problem is almost ineradicable. It used to be said that "the mafia never dies." Now, at least in the coming decades, the same could be said about radical Islamism and terrorism in Europe.

       Today, in Europe and around the world, a large-scale network of radical Islamist terrorism has been created, including clandestine agents, recruiters and funding system. Most importantly, there remains an unresolved problem of the popularity of radical Islamism in the near future.

       Migration Will Continue

       In addition, Europe has recently taken in a huge number of refugees, due to which the size of Muslim diaspora has grown there. The internal situation in Europe and, above all, the crisis of its socio-economic models will help aggravate the problem of the integration of Muslim Diasporas and radicalization within the Islamic community in Europe.

       Stopping the flow of migrants into Europe will not work because the Middle East has plunged into deep instability, and this is for a long time. Completely stopping migration would mean that European countries would have to completely abandon their values ？？or to take steps that many in Europe perceive as fascistic. Refugee admission and refugee assistance are one of the most important European values.

       In addition, the people who have already moved to Europe and live there should not be forgotten. There is a problem of radical Islamization of the European community of those born in Europe. Moreover, many of them are exposed to radical Islamism, and this problem will only get worse. Taking Raqqa or Deir Ez-Zor is unlikely to change the situation for the better.

       Not the First and Not the Last

       The logic of [committing terrorism in Europe] is very simple: acts of terrorism are being committed in places that will provide a large number of victims and a broad response in the media. There is no dependence on the economic development of the countries or their direct participation or non-participation in the international coalition to combat ISIS.

       They are held (and will continue to be held) where there are terrorist cells and where they are capable of organizing them. It is clear that Spain is not the first and not the last.

       What Must be Done

       Terrorist groups are constantly adapting. Terrorists are looking for new ways to get ahead of counterterrorism efforts: when effective measures were taken to detect and fight explosives, militants switched to terrorist attacks using cars that are virtually impossible to prevent.

       How should this be dealt with? First of all, we need to realize that we are living in a new reality: terrorist acts should be perceived as a daily threat. The CIA warned Spain of the upcoming terrorist attack, and even the name of the exact street where the terrorist attack was supposed to have occurred. However, Spain did not take proper measures.

       The incident in Spain has revealed the need to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation through special services, including between Western countries and Russia. This is one of the measures that can help prevent terrorist attacks.

       Views expressed are of individual Members and Contributors, rather than the Club's, unless explicitly stated otherwise.