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How real is the "Islamic threat?"

A pause for reflection on that catch-cry, certainly in Europe, of the so-called "Islamic threat".

This piece in counterpunch puts the subject into perspective in the light of a report on the subject issued by Europol:

"Some things interest the media, others don't. Since the fall of the USSR, the United States has sought another menace to designate as the ultimate evil, a world threat the Americans desperately need to take on. The 9/11 attacks gave them that enemy. And when the White House speaks, the media listens obediently.

Over the last number of years the "Islamic threat" has become one of the favourite issues for media coverage. It's all over the news--Muslims leaders pronouncing threats against the countries participating in occupying Muslim land.

While America is the Western country most succumbed to the fear of Islamism, things aren't much better in Europe. Its media is highly Americanised and thus eager to reiterate U.S. governmental positions towards the non-Western world. Islamic terrorism is subsequently a theme close to the hearts of European journalists as well.

Following this, you might think the journalists would be beside themselves with joy when the European Police Office (Europol) releases its first report on terrorism in the EU. I can assure you they weren't. In fact, to my best knowledge, not a single Swedish paper or news-channel has paid any attention to it whatsoever. I haven't seen it receiving much attention in other EU countries either (kudos to the EUobserver for having the decency to report on it). The report is namely a grave disappointment for the anti-Islamic campaigners.

There were 498 incidents in eleven EU countries last year labelled as "terrorist attacks." The Basque separatist group ETA did best (136 terrorist attacks) and was responsible for the only deadly attack, killing two in Madrid. The remaining 497 fortunately cost no human lives."

Comments

Anonymous said…
grossly overpowered cars kill more people than terrorists in the usa, then there's gun deaths and unhealthy fast food =

where is the "war on chevrolet", "the war on colt", "the war on macdonalds?"

and what became of that stopgap measure, "the war on drugs?"

an electorate that would put bush/cheney in command of the us military machine clearly is not allowing rationality to play a role in politics. a nation that can't believe in darwin over genesis should be using spears and chariots. alas, they believe in science when it's useful for killing.
April 25, 2007 10:37 am
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