With the West distracted by terrorism, Russia is plotting

Europe’s fear of IS and the US’s election uncertainty have diverted attention from Vladimir Putin’s ambitions, writes Agnia Grigas

THE suicide bomb attacks in Brussels last week have left Europe and the West shaken. Fears of further violence are compounded by the perceived threat of the Islamic State (IS) militant group and the massive refugee crisis, which are contributing to a sense of instability and divisiveness.

Nato Commander General Phil Breedlove has said that Russia is “weaponising” refugee migration to destabilise Europe. It remains to be seen if the fallout from the Brussels attacks will benefit the Kremlin and president Vladimir Putin’s regime.