Terrorist Attacks in Paris

Paris Gunmen Single Out François Hollande, and Leave Him With Few Palatable Responses

Author: Alissa J. Rubin

Source: New York Times

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/15/world/europe/paris-gunmen-single-out-francois-hollande-and-leave-him-with-few-palatable-responses.html?_r=0

Who?

3 coordinated teams of ISIS-affiliated terrorists killed a total of 129 people at several locations

• 3 suicide bombers attacked within an hour outside a soccer stadium, killing 1
• 3 terrorists attacked the Bataclan Music Hall, firing randomly into the crowd and holding survivors hostage for several hours before police could intervene. 89 killed.
• Several gunmen and a suicide bomber attacked restaurants at 3 different locations

What?

• Several attacks carried out at 3 major locations including a soccer stadium, the Bataclan Music Hall, and several restaurants in the 10th and 11th Arrondissements.
• Attacks included suicide bombers and armed gunmen.
• ISIS released a statement claiming responsibility for the attacks, and cited France’s involvement in the Middle East, specifically Syria, as their motive.

Where?

     • Attacks occurred in Paris, France

When?

• Attacks occurred between 9pm and 1am on Friday, November 13

Why?

• ISIS released a statement claiming that they were protesting the military involvement of France and other western nations in Syria and other Middle Eastern Countries

Democratic Values:

Individual Rights:

• The rights of 129 individuals were completely disregarded when members of ISIS made the decision to their lives.These people were not deserving of the brutal ends to their lives.  

Common Good

• The killing of at least 129 human beings is not at all in the interest of common good. This massacre has taken the sense of security that french citizens had previously felt in their home country. Europe is not considering changing its open border policy.

Justice:

• This massacre that ISIS is responsible for was ‘justified’ as their ‘comeuppance’ for France because of their involvement in the Syrian and Iraqi wars. However, killing more than a hundred citizens is not a just way to communicate their frustrations to France.

Bias:

This article states mostly facts and figures, but it does include several quotes from French citizens. Additionally, this article was published by the New York Times which is known as a slightly more liberal newspaper which may have affected how President Hollande was portrayed.

This is an image of French president François Hollande after the attacks on Friday. He has been put in a difficult position politically as to how to react to the terrorist attacks in Paris.