Why Brussels — and What’s Next?

Share:
People bring flowers and candles to mourn at  Place de la Bourse in the center of Brussels, on Tues., March 22.

People bring flowers and candles to mourn at Place de la Bourse in the center of Brussels, on Tues., March 22. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

In partnership with:
March 22, 2016

Earlier this morning, Brussels was hit by terror attacks on its airport and a subway station — a development that comes four days after Paris bombing suspect Salah Abdeslam was apprehended in the Belgian city’s Molenbeek district. The attacks reportedly killed at least 30 people and injured more than 200. The terror group ISIS has claimed responsibility.

To explore the context of today’s attacks, FRONTLINE went live on Facebook for a conversation between ProPublica reporter Sebastian Rotella — who has been covering extremism in Europe for years, and just returned from a reporting trip to Brussels for an upcoming FRONTLINE/ProPublica documentary — and FRONTLINE senior producer Dan Edge.

Watch their Q&A — which covered everything from the role Abdeslam’s capture may have played in the timing of the attack on Brussels, to why Belgium has produced so many ISIS recruits, to how international counterterrorism efforts may unfold in the coming weeks — below:

 

In the wake of the Brussels attacks, we’re live with ProPublica reporter Sebastian Rotella, who has been covering extremism in Europe for years and just returned from trip to Brussels. He’s joined by FRONTLINE (PBS) senior producer Dan Edge.

Posted by FRONTLINE on Tuesday, March 22, 2016


Patrice Taddonio

Patrice Taddonio, Senior Digital Writer, FRONTLINE

Twitter:

@ptaddonio

More Stories

9/11, More Than 20 Years Later: 20 Essential Documentaries to Watch
These films, selected from more than two decades of extensive FRONTLINE reporting, probe that fateful day and its lasting impacts on America and the world.
September 5, 2025
Watch FRONTLINE’s 5 Most-Streamed Documentaries of 2025 (So Far)
Looking for some documentaries to watch as summer continues? We’ve got you covered.
August 6, 2025
Tonight's New Documentary, This Month, and the Future
A note from FRONTLINE Editor-in-Chief and Executive Producer Raney Aronson-Rath.
July 29, 2025
The Iran-Israel Conflict and the U.S. Role: 11 Documentaries to Watch
Decades of tensions between Israel and Iran erupted into war in June. These FRONTLINE films offer context and background on the conflict, both countries’ leaders and ambitions, the role of the U.S., and the ongoing impact across the Middle East.
July 29, 2025