Beatrice de Graaf on 'De Wereld Draait Door' on the threat of terrorist attacks by IS

The Russian plane that crashed in the Sinai desert in Egypt is almost certainly brought down by a bomb. IS claimed the attack immediately. There is likely a link between the plane crash and the bombing by Russia on Syria. On 9 November on De Wereld Draait Door terrorism expert prof. dr. Beatrice de Graaf elaborated on whether we now have to fear terrorist attacks by IS in the West.

De Graaf points out that IS has already threatened with more attacks in Western countries involved in the conflict in Syria. According to her it is an "ironic reassurance" that Egyptian security, for example at airports "leaks like a sieve" while Schiphol is one of the most secure airports in the world. "Good security helps. Just like bicycle thieves, terrorists choose the path of least resistance."

According to De Graaf, we need not immediately fear for terrorists now coming to Europe in the large flows of refugees: IS does not send people to join the refugees, but calls on those who are already in the Caliphate to keep fighting there, and calls on followers in the West to carry out attacks there. The danger is therefore more with terrorists who are already in Europe and travelling around in Europe, then with the refugees streaming into Europe.

Beatrice de Graaf is professor of History of International Relations & Global Governance with the strategic theme Instituties voor Open Societies at Utrecht University.