Fascist terrorism rears its ugly head in Europe, threatening all – but with little recourse

THE chilling message of the massacres by the far right in Hanau in Germany is pure intimidation. Terrorism is once again rearing its ugly head across Europe.

This is terrorism by fascists against innocent people. Since days of yore, terrorism has deep linkage with our changing modes of civilisation.

Germany’s massive intelligence establishment was caught in a deep slumber.

Former CIA director Michael Hayde warned his leaders that homegrown terrorism will confront the world one day. If we want to reduce the levels of terrorism, or even contain it, we will have to deal with its manifestations and its underlying causes

Today’s terrorism transcends political and geographical boundaries, it is supported by powerful states and a multitude of international actors.

The poignant fact is that global peace has become a subject at the United Nations, and all endeavours to achieve it have been futile because unrestrained violence has made its way to establish its diabolical might.

Killing has become a diurnal activity, as a shaken and frightened world sits viewing the dance of death as spectators.

It was Mark Twain who said: “Peace by persuasion has a pleasant sound,but I think we should not be able to work it. We should have to tame the human race first, and history seems to show that cannot be done”.

We live in a violent culture in a violent world that appears to be coming more violent with time.

Perpetrators and victims have been reduced to mere statistics and caricatures.

Terrorism threatens us all, not only physically and politically, but morally and intellectually.

It is a violent disproportion between ends and means, against which we have no recourse.

FAROUK ARAIE | Johannesburg