This is How Europe Needs to Stand up to Terrorism

“France is at war”: the first words of President François Hollande’s address to the French parliament illustrated the country’s determination to fight terrorism globally, and to “eradicate” the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Accordingly, France ramped up strikes against ISIL’s self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa, Syria. While maintaining a strong line on the necessity of removing Assad from power, France started directly striking ISIL in September following precise information regarding attacks being prepared against French soil. However, France, stretched on other fronts like the Sahel and facing a complex threat, both regionally and domestically, can’t go it alone. “There is a true necessity to unite all those who can fight ISIL in a large and unique coalition,” Hollande emphasized in his address.