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Correspondent

21 August 2024 at 10:20:16 am

Europe’s Blindspot

With another Islamist-inspired knife attack shaking Berlin, Germany is once again paying the price for a decade of denial. It reinforces tha belief that Europe’s migration crisis was never merely about numbers but a profound failure of political judgment. The latest outrage followed a horrifying rampage near a Berlin Pride event, where a man drove a rented van into a crowd, killing a 65-year-old Polish woman and injuring at least 29 others before attacking people with a machete. Just days...

Europe’s Blindspot

With another Islamist-inspired knife attack shaking Berlin, Germany is once again paying the price for a decade of denial. It reinforces tha belief that Europe’s migration crisis was never merely about numbers but a profound failure of political judgment. The latest outrage followed a horrifying rampage near a Berlin Pride event, where a man drove a rented van into a crowd, killing a 65-year-old Polish woman and injuring at least 29 others before attacking people with a machete. Just days before, another confrontation had unfolded in Berlin’s leafy Spandau district, when the police had shot dead a knife-wielding suspect as he charged towards officers. The identity of the attacker has intensified the questions facing Germany. Abdul Ballout, a 21-year-old German citizen of Lebanese origin, was not an unknown figure. Authorities knew he had previous convictions for assault, robbery and extortion. They knew he had attempted to join the Islamic State. They knew he had been radicalised. The tragedy in this case was not a failure to identify a threat but the failure to act on one. Germany’s latest security crisis is part of a disturbing pattern. The country has repeatedly witnessed attacks where perpetrators were already known to authorities or had displayed warning signs before violence erupted. In December 2016, Tunisian extremist Anis Amri drove a truck into Berlin’s Breitscheidplatz Christmas market, killing 13 people. He had been classified as a security threat, yet bureaucratic failures allowed him to remain in Germany. In Würzburg in 2021, a Somali migrant killed three women in a knife attack after reportedly shouting Islamist slogans. In 2024, a police officer was killed in Mannheim when an Afghan national carried out a knife attack during an anti-Islam demonstration. The same year, Solingen’s anniversary celebrations were shattered when a Syrian asylum seeker allegedly inspired by Islamic State ideology killed three people. In each case, the public was told that lessons would be learned. In each case, the cycle continued. The roots of this crisis lie in the political choices made during Europe’s migrant wave of 2015. Angela Merkel’s decision to allow more than a million migrants and asylum seekers into Germany was presented as an act of moral leadership. Her famous declaration “Wir schaffen das” (we can manage this), which became the defining slogan of an era, today stands as the apotheosis of elite liberal folly besides being a dangerous illusion. Merkel’s government had underestimated the challenges of integration, vetting and monitoring. Instead, a legitimate debate about borders, identity and public safety was replaced by moral grandstanding. Open societies cannot survive if they become incapable of defending themselves. Berlin’s latest tragedy is not simply another attack. It is a warning that Europe ignored too many times.

Gamble and the Challenge

Updated: Nov 18, 2024

Eknath Shinde

As Maharashtra eagerly anticipates the election results on November 23, one name dominates political discussions: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Known for his bold moves, Shinde has reshaped the state’s political dynamics in unprecedented ways. In June 2022, Shinde set the stage for upheaval when he, along with several MLAs, left for Surat, plunging the coalition government into crisis. Just days later, with the BJP’s support, he assumed the role of chief minister, marking a shift no one saw coming.


The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi, a coalition formed in 2019 by Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP, had governed Maharashtra until Shinde’s exit. The impact of this political drama on state politics cannot be understated, as Shinde’s departure led to the fall of the MVA government. Over the past two years, Shinde has defied expectations, run a successful government while demonstrating independence from the BJP—a scenario few anticipated. His political acumen has now positioned him as a rising figure in BJP’s inner circle, potentially posing a challenge to BJP stalwart Devendra Fadnavis.


For Shinde, this election marks a crucial turning point. His objective is clear: securing wins for as many of his candidates as possible, solidifying his position in Maharashtra’s political landscape. However, the real test lies beyond the election results. In a political era where party loyalty is fluid, Shinde’s task will be to retain the loyalty of the elected MLAs.


Shinde’s journey from auto-rickshaw driver to prominent Shiv Sena leader has endeared him to the people, especially in Thane. Known for his humble behavior, he has built strong connections across all levels, from party workers to local households. However, this simplicity has led some BJP leaders to underestimate him. Now, even his allies realize that Shinde’s strategic mind and influence extend far beyond appearances.


One of Shinde’s significant achievements has been implementing the ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana,’ an initiative originally from Madhya Pradesh’s BJP government, which gained immense popularity in Maharashtra. This move not only showcases his keen sense of public sentiment but also distances him from his allies by establishing his independent policy-making approach.


Despite his growing influence, Shinde faces a challenge from the grassroots Shiv Sainiks who view him as a “traitor” for breaking with the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction. Recasting the narrative behind his decision to part ways with UBT will be essential if he hopes to gain widespread voter support.


Emphasizing his motivations and successes, particularly with initiatives like the ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana,’ may help him connect with skeptical constituents.


With solid connections at the local level and rapport with senior BJP leaders like Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Shinde’s influence is likely to endure. This election will ultimately test Shinde’s leadership, resilience, and ability to navigate Maharashtra’s intricate political landscape. As Maharashtra’s political future hangs in the balance, Shinde stands at the forefront, steering the state’s uncertain course with both determination and ambition.

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