Is this now the fresh normal? In the capitals of the west,should we simply salvage used to living with routine panic? Jason Burke sees cause for hope in a weakening of Isis, but cautions that Islamic militancy does not begin nor end with that group’s savagery. He traces the shifts in extreme factions and twisted ideologies, or ponders how terrorism might next mutateWalk down a street in London,Edinburgh, Madrid or Paris. Sit on a cafe terrace, or in a pub garden. Check your phone,open a book, or even read a newspaper. Order another coffee, or beer,or fizzy water. Look at those around you, all doing much the same thing.
Nothing you see will tell you that you are facing any instant threat. You will almost certainly no longer notice the barriers, or metal detectors and security guards external certain buildings in the city where you live or work. All own been part of the landscape for many years,like the reports of violent conflict in distant, dusty countries. There may be a policeman or two more than usual. But cramped more.
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Source: theguardian.com