TODAY
06 October 2015
- RSIS
- Media Mentions
- Islamic State “Sleeper Cells” not the Real Fear around Refugee Exodus
Islamic State “Sleeper Cells” not the Real Fear around Refugee Exodus
Fears of Islamic State (IS) “sleeper cells” infiltrating Europe on the back of the recent refugee exodus and creating anything from lone-wolf to 9/11 style attacks have been highlighted in recent weeks by the media, conservative politicians and far-right groups.
Although there have, indeed, been calls by the IS for sleeper-cell attacks following the United States-led coalition airstrikes on IS-held territory, hard evidence of an organised attempt to plant cells within the refugee exodus is hard to come by.
Unpicking the actual facts behind a scattered melange of rumour and scaremongering is even more challenging.
Far more worrying, few appear focused on what this all means for Europe over the longer term.
… Dr Shashi Jayakumar is Senior Fellow and Head, Centre of Excellence for National Security at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
CENS / Online / Print
Last updated on 08/04/2016
