Early yesterday morning, more than 30 people were killed and dozens injured in coordinated attacks at Brussels international airport and city metro station.

The Islamic State (IS aka ISIS) terrorist group said it was behind the attacks in a statement issued on the IS-linked Amaq agency website.

This horrific act of terror has sparked international responses from Presidents and Prime Ministers to common instgram and twitter users. Similar to the period of time following the Paris attacks at the end of last year, the world has thrown their support behind Brussels, while continuing the debate about terrorism and national security.

Our hearts go out to #Brussels in this tragic time. #prayforbrussels #enough

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Attacks like these are a continual reminder of the need for the international community to come together and stop ISIS and all forms of violent extremism.

The global response also sheds light on the difference in international reaction to events like those in Brussels and Paris vs. countries like, Turkey, Lebanon Kenya, and other nations that have also been struck by mass violence. It’s important to note that while the media did cover the Ankara attacks in Turkey, the coverage and global reaction was significantly less than the nonstop coverage devoted to attacks in Western countries.

The imbalance in response is an important issue (read our piece the different reactions to Paris and Beirut attacks). The actual nature of the varying responses to Belgium is also an important lens to understand how the world is responding to this violence, as is the nature of the response specifically. Here is a rundown of how various sectors of global society responded to the attack in Brussels.

Image: The International Spectator

Belgium’s Government

In the wake of the attacks, Belgium has raised its terrorism alert to its highest level. The government also announced three days of national mourning.

World Leaders

French President Francois Hollande called the events an attack on all of Europe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the blasts “show once more that terrorism knows no borders and threatens people all over the world,” the AFP reported, citing a Kremlin statement.

Pope Francis prayed for the victims of the attack and their families. “He expresses his deepest sympathy to the injured and their families, and all those who are contributing to relief, asking the Lord to bring them comfort and consolation in the ordeal,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, said in a statement, the New York Times reported. “The Holy Father again condemns the blind violence that causes so much suffering and implores God for the gift of peace.”

President Obama said in a statement on his trip to Cuba, “The United States stands with people of Belgium.” He also told ESPN, “This is just one more example of why the entire world has to unite against these terrorists. The notion that any political agenda would justify the killing of innocent people like this is something that’s beyond the pale. We are going to continue with the over 60 nations that are pounding ISIL, and we’re going to go after them.”

While Donald Trump (an aspiring world leader), warned of a different world that we live in today.

National Security Responses

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve Tuesday said Paris was deploying 1,600 additional police to border crossings and air, sea and rail infrastructure after the Brussels attacks.

Great Britain called an emergency meeting for its crisis response committee following the attacks in Brussels.

Obama, who was criticized for going to a a baseball game during his historic trip to Cuba following the attacks. He dismissed the idea of not going to the game and told ESPN, terrorists were trying to disrupt their enemies' way of life and he would not play into that.

Landmarks Unite to Show Solidarity

From the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the World Trade Center in New York City, and the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin global icons were all lit up with Belgium’s national colors in solidarity.

Social Media

A campaign of hate also took over some social media platforms under the hashtag #StopIslam but was relatively quickly turned on its head and the hashtag was used to defend innocent muslims and condemn violent extremists. (Learn more here)

Netizens also questioned the scale of the response to Brussels vs. other attacks

People have taken to social media to question why people show such solidarity towards Paris and Brussels, yet lack in their response to places such as Beirut, Ankara, Istanbul, and Bamako.

What may perfectly sum up the world responses, is this simple image that is now being shared the morning after. 

The world is tired of the senseless murder of innocent people. They are tired of a world where violence and hatred like this occurs. The world is ready for a change that will unite people of all nations and backgrounds and stop violent extremism.

It is easier said than done, but uniting the world to stop extremist violence it is still a goal all global citizens can stand behind.

TopicsCitizenshipISISTerrorismExtremistsDigestsGlobal Goal 16

Digests

Demand Equity

The Brussels attacks: How the world is reacting

By Miquel-Caitlyn Gabbidon