While very little substance was released publicly from the meetings between Israel’s Internal Security Minister Gideon Ezra, Germany’s Interior Minister Wolfgang Sch?uble, the Netherlands’ Interior Minister Johan Remkes, Belgium’s Interior Minister Antoine Duquesne, and Greece’s Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, the fact that they met specifically to emphasize the necessity for information sharing is a tremendous step in the right direction. Some of the participants in the meeting have good reason to want to exchange intelligence with Israel. Germany is preparing for the World Cup soccer tournament and has found itself in a security crisis all the while offending Iran with caricatures (see this WAR Report). The Netherlands was involved in the Mohammed-Cartoon controversy and has found themselves facing the Hofstad Group , a network of second and third generation, disenfranchised and radicalized Muslims who have targeted and killed outspoken politicians and artists .

With Iran’s continued interest in acquiring fissile material, specifically by restarting its uranium enrichment program, European security cannot falter, particularly the nation brokering the standoff negotiations with Iran: Russia (see this WAR Report), which is arguably doing a poor job, as talks ended on February 20 without resolution. Should Iran begin developing weapons of mass destruction, the world may again experience the panic of how and whether to preempt their threat, particularly on behalf of Israel.