Olympics Games in the Paris are set to be one of the most dangerous ever, due to internal conflicts in France and increased global geopolitical tensions.
France is facing intense internal rifts: the unstable political atmosphere and the risk of protests or violence present major obstacles for event planners.
The present worldwide political situation, characterized by increased tensions among major countries, increases the security risks. These Olympics may be targeted by state-sponsored actors looking to take advantage of the event for their own purposes.
To address the increased risks, event planners will be putting in place never-before-seen security protocols, such as enlisting a historically high amount of security staff.
Approximately 30,000 police officers will be present during the four-week Olympics and Paralympics in the Ile-de-France region, with numbers reaching a peak of 45,000. The region includes Paris. Police forces from various European countries will join them to strengthen security measures.
Terrorism associated with Islamic fundamentalism
An important issue is the danger presented by Islamist terrorist groups.
Past incidents targeting sports and cultural gatherings, along with thwarted plots by French officials, highlight this danger.
The intensification of the Israeli-Hamas conflict after the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack heightens this risk. Islamic extremists could take advantage of the circumstances to portray themselves as protectors of Palestinians and Muslims, aiming their attacks at not only Israel but also Western nations backing Israel.
Daesh (ISIS) is a key suspect, particularly because it serves as a central network providing reasoning, motivation, and affiliation to individual and small group actors who act on its behalf.
The chance of Hamas carrying out operations in Europe, demonstrated by arrests in Denmark and Germany, makes the situation more complex.
In the past, Hamas has kept its distance from global Islamist terrorist groups like Daesh and Al Qaeda, directing its attention towards Israel. After October 7, the situation changed, and the conflict is now seen as a larger issue involving Arab and Muslim communities fighting against a morally corrupt West that backs Israel.
This possible alignment may result in collaboration between Hamas and Daesh. The Munich 1972 Olympics stand as a sorrowful indication of the sensitivity of such gatherings. The dangers are underscored by the breach of the Olympic Village, the murder of Israeli athletes, and the hostage-taking by Black September.
The presence of anti-Semitism in Europe, along with previous speeches supporting assaults on Israelis, indicates that Israeli athletes and supporters may be more vulnerable during the Paris Games.
Lethal Dangers
Potential threats may include hostage-taking, suicide bombings, and planted explosives.
While suicide bombings are no longer as frequent in Europe, there is still a chance that they could occur. International collaboration is needed to prevent attacks due to the complexity of monitoring and gathering intelligence.
The latest assaults carried out by militants linked to ISIS in Moscow highlight the lethal threat posed by mass shootings in crowded places, while France’s encounters with knife and vehicular attacks raise additional worries.
The most severe situation includes numerous, coordinated attacks at different places, using various tactics and targets, expanding beyond sports facilities to encompass churches and synagogues.
What drives a terrorist?
The complexity of the threat landscape is increased by the various ways in which radicalization occurs and the different reasons that push people towards violence.
Extremists are influenced by various ideologies, with personal, social, or political reasons driving their actions. This is also due to the fact that the Olympics offer an appealing prominent stage for extremists and individuals planning to conduct attacks.
Extremism from the alt-right poses another major danger. On July 17, a suspected neo-Nazi sympathizer, believed to be planning an attack on the Olympic torch relay, was apprehended by French anti-terror authorities.
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