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LiberalArkie

(15,729 posts)
Sun Nov 15, 2015, 07:44 PM Nov 2015

How Belgium Became a Terrorism Hotbed

AMSTERDAM—As the race to uncover how terrorists managed to carry out such devastating attacks in Paris continues, the focus has shifted to France’s tiny neighbor, Belgium, as a hotbed of terrorist conspiracies. And this isn't the first time.

Today the Belgian authorities announced two of the identified terrorists involved in the Paris attacks were French citizens living in Belgium. They are part of a trio of brothers. The first, called Ibrahim Abdelslam, killed himself in Paris using an explosive belt. A second was arrested by the Belgian police in Molenbeek, a multi-ethnic neighborhood in central Brussels. He is being questioned and it is uncertain if he was involved. The third is Salah Abdelslam, 26, who is on the run with an international arrest warrant issued for him. “There is a link to Molenbeek,” Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said. “We are focused on prevention but we need to act repressively, too.”

The prime minister promised the Belgian people extra measures against jihadists returning to Belgium from the Syrian and Iraqi battle fields. Knowing the scale of the Belgian problem, implementing the right measures is paramount, not just for the Belgians themselves but also for their neighboring countries.

With increasing frequency, links are uncovered between jihadist operations and Belgian terrorist cells, raising serious questions about the Belgian government's ability to deal with terrorists who use the country for recruiting and support networks.


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http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/11/15/how-belgium-became-a-terrorism-hotbed.html
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How Belgium Became a Terrorism Hotbed (Original Post) LiberalArkie Nov 2015 OP
kick Blue_Tires Nov 2015 #1
Geez, that was good.. Indeed Belgian it seems do not know what to do. LiberalArkie Nov 2015 #2
A "no go zone"? mwrguy Nov 2015 #4
K&R smirkymonkey Nov 2015 #3
I lived in Brussels for nearly a year, and it was THE worst place I ever lived in underahedgerow Nov 2015 #5
Wow +1 Last time I was in Brussels was in 1972, boy it has changed since then! B Calm Nov 2015 #6

underahedgerow

(1,232 posts)
5. I lived in Brussels for nearly a year, and it was THE worst place I ever lived in
Mon Nov 16, 2015, 02:19 AM
Nov 2015

my entire life. I couldn't leave fast enough.

I lived near the train station, just bordering the area known as Anderlecht, doing a renovation there for a client. A shit hole neighborhood to begin, populated by ME nationals.

I'm relatively old, in my 50s. Still attractive, slim, but worse, blonde haired, blue eyed. I couldn't walk down the street without being aggressed, even in heavy winter shapeless clothes, boots, hats even. Nothing fashionable, literally the worst clothes I could find to put on and walk the dog.

It was like every single arab guy felt they could talk to me, saying hello, following a stream of non stop chatter as I walked by, being followed down the street as I kept my eyes cast down, covered with sunglasses, ignoring the constant comments. I absolutely wouldn't go out at night, oh hell no.

The arab men there have a recent history of being very aggressive with white women, no matter what age. There are many videos by Belgian women stating the same thing and showing the ongoing aggression. The guys think that any white woman is their potential property. I was called a slut and a whore every single day. Seriously, even with no makeup, in baggy, all covered up clothes. The cops do nothing, they stand around. Free speech you know.

What flipped my lid is this little anecdote. There were two women who I noticed were always standing on a nearby street corner. Much older women, fat, graying hair, wrinkled, no makeup. In winter, they were wearing heavy coats, boots, etc, as one does in bad weather, normal, every day clothes. Seriously dowdy grandma material type women. They were arabic.

They were (and probably are) there every single day, and into early evening. Sometimes chatting with each other, chatting with other people, but always standing there and just waiting for something. I was curious and couldn't figure it out. I just assumed they had nothing better to do.

I finally learned they were prostitutes. Yep, grandma prostitutes. It boggles the mind. Once I learned that, I started watching who they were talking and walking with, and believe me, it was gross. Old men of course, laborer, market stall types. But it was the younger men that creeped me out. Guys in their 20's, having a quick word, then dashing off around the corner with them or meeting them at their apartment I guess. Yes, young, arab men. Old ones, middle aged, suits, but mostly just lower class yucky guys of course.

I hate Brussels. Worst year of my life, clearly paying for some kharmic misdeed, lol.

 

B Calm

(28,762 posts)
6. Wow +1 Last time I was in Brussels was in 1972, boy it has changed since then!
Mon Nov 16, 2015, 02:28 AM
Nov 2015

I do remember the good beer!

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