In the past year, Europe was the target of multiple terrorist attacks. On March 22, Belgium's Brussels was hit by explosions at an airport and a metro station, killing at least 34 people. On July 14, a man ploughed a heavy truck into a crowd celebrating the French national day in France's Nice, killing 84. By the end of the year, the Christmas market in downtown Berlin, the German capital, was also hit by a truck attack.
Facing the new trend of "localized," "fragmented" and "lone wolf" terrorist attacks, many European countries are adopting stricter counter-terrorism measures such as prolonging states of emergency, enhancing security and conducting anti-terrorism drills, while at the same time drafting new plans to fight terrorism.
Analysts pointed out that the mess in the Middle East caused by the West's intervention has created a breeding ground for terrorism, and its spillover effect has reached Europe.
In addition, Europe also faces political, economic, social and refugee challenges of its own. To win its war against terrorism, Europe has a long way to go.
