Gift wrapped security barriers in Germany. DW.
I don't have much time for a normal post but I wanted to share something I have seen in a couple of outlets. Apparently in Germany, they have taken measures to protect their famous Christmas Markets by using large barriers. This is necessary because of all the jihadist terror attacks that have rocked Europe. ISIS has threatened these Christmas Markets and has attacked them in the past.
None of that is surprising. What is surprising to me is that these barriers have been decorated in Christmas paper and other decorations. It really seems that Germany is just trying to normalize the reality they live in. They are trying to downplay the fact that there is a major threat for German citizens and that their is a high chance of an attack on these Christmas markets. It just goes to show how far Europe has fallen in just a few years. As little as five years ago such security measures would have been unthinkable. But now they are so common place that they need to distract their citizens from them.
The threat is real though. ISIS is likely driven to conduct a major terror attack in Europe. They did have the huge one in Egypt but even that one won't have the impact that an attack in Europe would have. These Christmas Markets are a major priority for them and I wouldn't be surprised if there was some kind of attack this year against them. They need some kind of win after their de facto defeat in Iraq and Syria.
These security barriers will probably work to prevent any ramming attacks, even if they are decorated. They will be able to slow or completely stop all but the largest vehicles so a ramming attack is probably out. But they would do nothing to stop a mass stabbing, shooting or bombing.
It's really sad that it has come to this though. Had Angela Merkel and the other European leaders had a different reaction to the refugee crisis these barriers would have never been necessary. Had they just not let any refugees in, none of this would have happened...
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