Islamic State marks ‘caliphate anniversary’ with multiple attacks

Today’s attacks in France, Tunisia and Kuwait appear to be Islamic State inspired and designed to mark the first anniversary of its declaration of a new caliphate.

I suspect, though, that it is the news from France that will most alarm Western intelligence services. This does not appear to have been some mega-plot involving dozens of people but a small, self-starting operation. The latter kind of attack is far harder to stop. Although, it does appear that one of the suspects in this case was known to the security services.

The attack in Tunisia on a hotel will hit that country’s tourism industry hard. It is also a reminder of the dire situation in North Africa which is contributing to the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean.