Europe

Abstract

Non-criminal violence stems from a number of sources in Europe, the most fecund being terrorism motivated by ethnic sensitivities. As virulent, but more transitory in nature, is the so-called armed struggle promoted by ideologically disaffected groups. From abroad, the continent is at risk from terrorist incidents arising from the Arab-Israeli dispute, from the Islamic fundamentalist revolution and from Armenian attacks on Turkish targets. At a lower level of direct action, issue groups are intent upon imposing change by breaking the law. Communal violence of a spontaneous nature, though it may lead to arson, is of no interest in discussion of premeditated political violence which is causing or could cause acts of terrorism.