Hunt for Abdeslam May Have Led to Failure to Stop Brussels Attacks

The French and Belgian security forces' focus on Salah Abdeslam did not prevent the Brussels attacks because Abdeslam was only a trigger man, according to terrorism expert Mathieu Guidère.

Guidère told Figaro that Abdeslam was only a failed suicide bomber, while the Daesh operation was heavy on logistics, with the actual bombers only forming a small part of the group. Guidère is a researcher who studies the psychology and organization of terrorism, in part for the Center for Advanced Defense Studies think tank in Washington, DC.

"The Franco-Belgian security services focused on Salah Abdeslam, who was only a failed suicide bomber, threatened with death by [Daesh]. He was made a star, when he was only the assistant to the logistics," Guidère told Le Figaro.

He added that the bomb maker was likely experienced, with at least past experience making bombs in Iraq. Unlike previous terrorist attacks, such as al-Qaeda's September 11 attacks, which were largely planned by the suicide bombers themselves, the Daesh attacks are meticulously planned out by a larger group, according to Guidère.

As for the motivation, Guidère said that the bombings may have been motivated by a wish to punish Belgium for its cooperation with France, as well as cause economic harm.