Lone-Actor terrorism in Europe

Terrorist attacks carried out by lone individuals, with no direct affiliation to terrorist groups, referred to as lone-actor terrorism, represent a very distinct challenge for European societies. Generally lacking the complexity of plots carried out by terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorism can still cause numerous casualties and have significant impact. How can we recognise lone-actor terrorism when we see it? What does this threat look like in the context of Europe? How can governments address this challenge and what can we expect in the future? This article provides a brief overview of the phenomenon in 21st century Europe.