Spotlight: Europe at crossroads as Brussels attack unveils escalating terror activity

As Belgium recovers from Tuesday's deadly attacks with sympathy and support shown across the world, Europe finds itself standing at a crossroads with difficult decisions to be made on the security and social fronts.

IMMIGRATION, REFUGEE POLICY UNDER PRESSURE

The United Nations General Assembly quickly condemned the attacks, which killed 34 people and injured more than 180 others at the Brussels airport and a metro station nearby European Union institutions. Brussels was the latest in a string of terror attacks that hit Turkey, Iraq and Ivory Coast last week.

Meanwhile, the Brussels attack will only heighten security across Europe, which is already on high alert following two deadly attacks in Paris last year.

A pattern of escalating violence is clear. Aside from much needed improvements in intelligence and security, experts believe that Europe's immigration policies and Western democratic values at large will need to be re-examined.

Song Luzheng, a scholar and commentator living in France, warned once again that a "clash of civilization" would unfold if Europe is unable to readjust its immigration policies and strike a balance between integrating immigrants into mainstream society and preserving their unique roots.

Song had raised the issue of "a divided society," caused mainly by the relative "isolation" of minority groups in some European countries, mostly composed of immigrants and disadvantaged groups, after the attack on Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris in January 2015.

The cartoon weekly had repeatedly ridiculed Prophet Muhammad, which is considered disrespectful and a violation of Islamic practice. But its supporters believe it had a right to do so, citing "freedom of expression" and dismissing the upset feelings from Muslims.

The situation in Europe has worsened with the influx of refugees and migrants displaced by conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa.

"The refugee problem and terrorist activities are two major challenges facing Europe, which are also closely connected," said Shen Xiaoquan, a senior research fellow at the Center for International Affairs Studies of Xinhua.

The more furious the terror activities are, the louder the voice against refugees will become in Europe, Shen said, adding that the Brussels attack has become one more reason to strip down Europe's current refugee policy.

SECURITY TIGHTENED, PANIC SPREADS

European countries have stepped up security measures and are seeking solidarity in confronting terrorism.

In the Netherlands, Belgium's northern neighbor, police increased monitoring and surveillance over suspicious activity across the country. There was increased police deployment at train stations in its four major cities and at other train stations with international traffic.

Tightened border controls were introduced at the southern border of the Netherlands, and trains to and from Brussels no longer ride. People travelling to Belgium were stranded at train stations in cities near the Belgian border.

In Paris, security patrols were reinforced in the French capital's two main airports. Additional police forces have been deployed to control trains coming from Belgium.

German police have increased security on the borders with Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, as well as German airports and railway stations.

Security measures have also been beefed up in Britain, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Italy, Greece, Poland, Slovakia, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic.

The attacks have also provoked a global panic.

In Turkey, an international football tournament which was scheduled to be held in the western coastal province of Izmir, has been postponed over security reasons.

"After the terror attacks in Brussels, European clubs decided not to send their football teams to Izmir," a statement at Izmir Cup's website said.

EU OFFICIALS TO MEET

The Dutch presidency of the EU will organize a ministerial meeting of the bloc to discuss the attacks in Brussels "possibly Thursday morning," said a Dutch minister.

Earlier in the morning, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told the press after a cabinet meeting that the Netherlands is in close contact with Germany, Belgium and France in case additional measures are required.

On Wednesday, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel will host a prearranged visit by his French counterpart, Manuel Valls, who declared "We are at war" following the attack.

The Brussels attacks came four months after the Paris bloodshed in which terrorists bombed several places in the city and killed 130 people.

Brussels was later founded out to be highly linked to the Paris attacks as it served as a hiding place for the terrorists. Salad Abdeslam, the most wanted Paris suspect, was arrested in Brussels on Friday. Endi