European countries seek sweeping new powers to curb terrorism - Michael Birnbaum

Belgian leaders on Friday sought sweeping new powers to monitor and punish their citizens for involvement with terrorism, joining France in an effort to rewrite laws just hours after dozens of arrests across Europe offered dramatic evidence of the threats security officials say are facing the continent.

The raids, carried out by France, Belgium and Germany on Friday to thwart unrelated terrorist plots, came after 17 people were killed in France last week in the worst terrorist attacks in that country in decades.

The violence galvanized leaders and has swiftly led to grim discussions of crackdowns in nations that have long prided themselves on their willingness to live and let live.

Belgian leaders said Friday that they would seek to expand the list of offenses for which they could strip some people of their citizenship. France has fast-tracked the convictions of those accused of hate speech, handing down years-long prison sentences within hours of the initial offense. British Prime Minister David Cameron called for eagle-eyed surveillance of social networks.

Read more: European countries seek sweeping new powers to curb terrorism - The Washington Post