It has been four months since I found it necessary to write about terrorism. Yes, I know there have been instances of terrorism during that period. I just could not bring myself to comment. But now, today when a mass Terrorism has occurred in Brussels, I cannot ignore the fact that terrorists have not lost their drive to create chaos somewhere in the world when we hope beyond hope that we are winning the fight.
Two explosions in Zaventem and one in Maalbeck caused by at least two suicide bombers remind us that we cannot let our guard down. The Islamic State has already claimed responsibility, but Belgian authorities are not yet certain of any possible connection to attacks in Paris last year. Does it really matter if there is or isn’t a connection? It seems clear that DAESH is still strong enough to plan and carry out attacks where harm and fear result.
Belgian PM Charles Michel has stated “It is a common fight, it is a fight without borders,” He has it right I think. He seems to have made his comment in terms of the way in which DAESH strikes anywhere it desires. But perhaps the reality is that we who try to combat terrorism must take the same attitude and carry the fight to wherever DAESH and/or its affiliates/co conspirators operate.
At this time of writing at least 30 persons were killed and more than 230 were injured. We can agree I’m sure than those people must be avenged. Yes I know that word avenged is a strong word, but it fits the circumstances. DAESH has no qualms about killing innocent people. There should be no qualms about eliminating all those who take responsibility for organizing and fulfilling such attacks.
Recently my own country of Canada under new PM Justin Trudeau made a decision to withdrawn its six war planes from the air battle against DAESH. Mr. Trudeau immediately committed ground troops to begin advising and training anti-DAESH forces committed to drive DAESH out of control. The air battle with its bombing attacks carried out by Americans and others is having an effect, but I sense that boots on the ground will be required to eradicate DAESH and its leaders. The cost will be high. Do we have a choice? I think not.
Many world leaders have already spoken out against the attack, including President Obama and President Putin. These leaders have had variously harsh words to say about the attacks. Words, as I’m sure you’ll agree will not satisfy the situation we all face. Words will not stop the attacks. Something rather more decisive is required. Tell your leaders what you want to have happen. Make it clear that actions must be the focus of future decisions.
In my other writing projects, many of you know that I have written of a fictional organization in Canada dedicated to stopping terrorist attacks before they happen as best as can be accomplished. “The Chechen’s Revenge” was my first novel of antiterrorism featuring Sean-Guy O’Dwyer-Lariviere and his team at CAS. In their first outing they where successful to a large extent in preventing a massive killing of Canadians. I’m continuing my project writing with a second novel entitled “A Prairie Vendetta” in which the CAS team discover and confront a homegrown terror plot. As a former journalist I’m sadly inspired by reports in the news of terrorist actions. Those reports help me create a sense of reality in the fiction I’m writing. I wish such realism was not required.
Thanks for your support. Good reading everyone.
Regards
Ron Stotyn, PhD 
I am a retired college professor and former broadcast journalist. I live in Vermont with my wife. I write near the shores of Lake Champlain. As an author I cast characters in the task of anti-terrorism efforts. The setting for my stories is Canada. My first novel is The Chechen's Revenge, a story of Sean-Guy O'Dwyer-Lariviere and his team of Canadian Anti-terrorism Service agents on the trail of a rebel Chechen, determined to create havoc and death on Toronto's Go Train system. The Chechen's Revenge is now in print and can be ordered online at https://mkt.com/northof49publishing.
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