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Ex-FBI Agent Blames Paris Terrorist Attacks on EU Open Border Policy

© Flickr / Will BakkerThe idea of open borders within the European Union (EU) undermines the national security of its member states, James Conway, a former FBI agent and counter-terrorism expert, told Radio Sputnik.
The idea of open borders within the European Union (EU) undermines the national security of its member states, James Conway, a former FBI agent and counter-terrorism expert, told Radio Sputnik. - Sputnik International
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The idea of open borders within the European Union (EU) undermines the national security of its member states, James Conway, a former FBI agent and counter-terrorism expert, told Radio Sputnik.

When it comes to counter-terrorism and the public safety, intelligence agencies from different countries come together and share valuable information, the retired FBI agent revealed.

Of course there is classified information that's not shared, but operational information to prevent active terrorism is constantly shared.

"There's an ongoing dialogue all the time, there's information sharing at all times," Conway, who was stationed in various US embassies across the world during his service, told Radio Sputnik.

Part of the reason why ISIL managed to carry out a series of terrorist attacks in Paris is due to the EU's open border policies that allow people to easily travel from the outskirts of Europe to places like Paris undetected, Conway explained.

"Look, the problem that Europe has is that there's the European Union and there are pretty much open borders, so people are able to travel back and forth… that's a big problem and I think that security forces and policy-makers in Europe are going to have to look at this again," Conway said.

There a lax border control between the war-torn Syria and Turkey. From there, terrorists reach Greece or other countries in the EU's periphery before vanishing in the EU's population of more than 500 million. Next thing you know there is a series of well-planned terrorist attacks in the heart of Paris that no intelligence agency could prevent. That's what the open border policy means, Conway explained.

On November 13, terrorists attacked several venues around Paris, killing at least 129 people and injuring 350. The violent extremist Islamic State jihadist group claimed responsibility for the attacks.

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