Headlines:

• Another ISIL linked attack in France
• Bloody Week in Germany
• Trump Wins Republican Nomination

Another ISIL linked attack in France

An 84-year-old priest has been killed with a knife, and another person seriously wounded, after two men took several people hostage in an attack on a church in northern France. Speaking outside the church, French President Francois Hollande called it a “dreadful terrorist attack” and told reporters the attackers had pledged allegiance to ISIL. Prime Minister Manuel Valls had warned earlier in the week, that the country would face more attacks as it struggles to handle fighters returning from wars in the Middle East, an unusual statement considering all attacks in France so far have been carried out by French nationals. It is very easy to blame a militia from the Middle East for problems that occur in Europe however Francois Hollande’s response is always to increase air strikes within Syria. Despite the increase in attacks, attacks are still occurring on French soil and almost on a daily basis throughout Europe. Yet the response of the governments has always been to retaliate with force, a force that usually takes a large number of civilian lives. It is also unusual to label an attack a terrorist attack without investigating the motive, but it is the norm in Europe today.

Bloody Week in Germany

Over the past week Germany has seen three lone wolf attacks which have resulted in the death of 5 people. Whilst the first and the last have been claimed by ISIS, the second was undertaken by a German national of Iranian heritage with mental illness and influenced by Andreas Breivik. Out of the three, this is the most interesting incident precisely because it received the least attention and was overshadowed by attacks claimed by ISIS. This has been a recurring theme where attacks by lone wolfs which occur due to social and political issues are overshadowed and side-lined by incidents which follow immediately and supposedly have their roots within Islam. The immediate link with Islam by both media and politicians and the over reaction by France in closing the Dover border in retaliation shows to what extent these states will hide their own problems by shifting the issue to Islam.

Trump wins Republican Nomination

Donald Trump, the billionaire businessman whose outsider campaign has both galvanized millions of voters and divided the Republican Party, this week became the 2016 GOP presidential nominee. An effort to place the name of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz for nomination fizzled late Tuesday afternoon. The effort had no chance of success since most of the delegates won by Trump in his GOP nominating victory were bound to vote for him in the roll call under the rules of the Republican primary process. Trump has been able to win large segments of the US public with his campaign to roll back the corporates who Trump believe have weakened the US. He has also, like his European counterparts, used immigration to garner public support. It remains to be seen if Trump can defeat Democratic nominee Hilary Clinton, but what is certain is the US presidential race will see more rhetoric as both attempt to out manoeuvre each other.