Bećirović: Terrorism cannot be defeated by force, solutions must be sought in alliances

Dr. Zijad Bećirović, director of the International Institute for Middle Eastern and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) Ljubljana, a distinguished expert on events in Europe and the world and a political analyst, commented on the morning terrorist attacks in Brussels for the Patria news agency.

- The attacks in Brussels are condemnable. However, this does not solve the problem yet. We have a present problem, that for decades, and especially in recent years, the West has largely pursued a wrong policy when it comes to the Middle East and its problems. Sunnis have been left to themselves, while Shiites and Alawites have strong support from Iran and Russia. Thus, everyone has turned their backs on the Sunnis, while the Islamic State offered them protection and thus became the spokesperson for their interests.

The West should have offered a hand to the Sunnis and become their protector. Western reactions so far have largely been to respond to force with force, and have generally further radicalized already radicalized individuals and groups.

Terrorism cannot be defeated by force. We have remnants of a world order that was established as a result of World War II. Such a world order is unsustainable if we want to have peace and stability. Solutions must be sought based on partnership and alliances, not unilaterally and with ignorance, Bećirović concludes.