Recap of the Brussels Attack

On Tuesday March 22nd, IS affiliates performed multiple suicide attacks in Brussels, capital of Belgium. The attacks come just days after the arrest of Salah Abdeslam in his childhood neighborhood, Molenbeek, Brussels. It is seen by many analyst as a reaction to Abdeslam’s arrest and recent increased efforts against the militant group.

The attack is the 3rd largest terrorist assault within the European Union and is drawing increasing attention from the international community. Similar to the Paris attacks, we can expect a surge of new efforts in response to the violence that killed 28, wounded 340.

With fears on the rise in Europe, as evident in Angela Merkel’s recent political struggles and growing concern over the UK Referendum, leaders are scrambling to prove they are prepared to face a new home-based enemy. Intelligence analysts have pointed to concern of the capabilities of the EU Intelligence community, particularly in terms of coordination as the continent currently lacks a fully integrated intelligence network. Having halted major cities across the world such as New York, London, and Paris, terrorism is a new reality that must be considered. The short-term and long-term economic implications of such attacks will take time to fully understand. Until security is boosted, intelligence increased, and the enemy full understood, many businesses will find themselves facing a new unanticipated threat—terrorism.