The Success of Dorf's Failed Terror Plot

Dusseldorf's Altstadt, during Christmas.

Dusseldorf has made headlines around the world for terror plot.

Four men were arrested on terrorist charges. Half planned to blow themselves up in Dusseldorf's Altstadt, while the other two would shot people in the ensuing confusion. The Altstadt is the centre of the Dorf's nightlife, so it could have been messy if it happened.

What we know is a Syrian man was arrested in France in March and confessed about the attack and his three accomplices, who were arrested after weeks of surveillance.

Kata expressed concern that the Islamic State was coming for Germany after the Paris and Brussels attacks. I shrugged it off; they have to find the Dorf before they can attack it.

Well, they found the Dorf.

It's called a failed plot, but it was successful. Some are thinking twice before going to the Altstadt. Others simply react like they would have been present if it happened – as if the attack would have occurred when they were in the Altstadt for their weekly shopping trip or night out.

But, that's why it's called terrorism: You fear for yourself so much you ignore the outsized odds of even witnessing an attack.

The plot's other success is a slower burn. At least two of the suspects came to Germany along the Migrant Route through Turkey and Greece and recent reports about sleeper cells in refugee camps only add fuel to the fire.

Germany is not France or Belgium, where immigrants are systemically ignored into powerty and extremism. Even before the so-called refugee crisis, Germany had one of Europe's most robust programs for registering migrants and providing them social welfare and language courses.

But that was a different time. 

We're a little more cynical now. We defend liberal ideals and Christian values but refuse to uphold them. We build fences. We elect nationalists. We cut deals with dictators to keep people in need away.

We think we live in dark times, that terrorists are taking advantage of our kindness, that people with the resolve to cross stormy seas and walk hundreds of miles will do nothing but collect welfare cheques when they arrive.

Times are not bad. The suspects were rounded up. We've never been safer from war, disease, and famine. UEFA Euro 2016 is just around the corner and it's the summer. We have so little to fear in the world that we shouldn't forget that now is the perfect time for a drink in the Altsadt.