Nice attack: terror investigation and impact on French society (KPCC)
At least 84 people are dead in Nice, France, including two Americans, after a truck plowed through crowds at a Bastille Day celebration. French authorities are investigating the incident as a possible terrorist attack.
Law enforcement sources have identified the suspect as 31-year-old Mohamed Bouhlel, a French-Tunisian man, though they have yet to find any direct connections to any terrorist groups.
"There are public reports out of France this is someone in the midst of a divorce or just lost their job. It might have been somebody who was inspired by ISIS propaganda to attack this way, but nonetheless there was a strong contributing factor in his life disintegrating. So a lot we don't know at this point, except just the terrible and overwhelming death toll," Rep. Adam Schiff, who represents the 28th district that includes Burbank and who serves as ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, told KPCC.
Yesterday’s attack in France came on the heels of a spate of violence that has gripped our collective consciousness here in the U.S. We want to know how the string of recent events has affected you and your communities. Do you feel safe? Do you plan on changing your travel plans? Has any of this changed the way you live your daily life? Call and leave KPCC a message at 818 797 5722. 818 797 KPCC
Guests:
Seth Jones, Director International Security and Defense Policy Center, RAND Corporation think tank; he has served as the representative for the commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations; he is also the author of the book, "Hunting in the Shadows: The Pursuit of al Qa'ida after 9/11"
Patrick Simon, a professor at National Demographic Institute in Paris, where he specializes in sociology and race relations in France