A decade after the devastating Brussels attacks 2016, European security officials say the nature of terrorism has significantly evolved, shifting from coordinated cross-border operations to online radicalization.
According to EU counterterrorism coordinator Bartjan Wegter, extremist groups such as Islamic State (Daesh) have adapted their strategies, focusing on recruiting and radicalizing individuals already داخل the European Union through digital platforms.
The 2016 attacks, which killed 32 people at Brussels Airport and the Maelbeek metro station, exposed major gaps in intelligence-sharing across Europe’s borderless Schengen Area. In response, the EU strengthened cooperation between agencies like Europol and Eurojust, while enhancing databases such as the Schengen Information System.
While the likelihood of large-scale coordinated attacks has decreased, authorities are increasingly concerned about “lone actor” threats, particularly among younger individuals. Alarmingly, a growing number of suspects linked to terror activities are minors, with radicalization processes now occurring within weeks or months.
Security officials also warn of rising online extremism beyond jihadist ideologies, including far-right and, to a lesser extent, far-left movements, as well as emerging forms of “nihilistic” violence driven by identity-seeking behavior among youth.
Wegter emphasized that law enforcement faces new challenges, especially in monitoring encrypted communications and identifying individuals with no prior criminal background. He stressed the need for stronger mechanisms to safeguard the digital space while preserving the openness of the internet.
The EU now faces a critical task: adapting its security framework to counter threats that are no longer confined by borders, but increasingly shaped in the online world.
