Merkel defends asylum policies, says Germany is at ‘war’ with Islamic State
BERLIN — With Germany stunned by a series of bloody attacks, Chancellor Angela Merkel called Thursday for an “early warning system” to detect radicalization among asylum seekers even as she insisted that the nation still has a moral duty to offer sanctuary to those fleeing war.
In her most comprehensive remarks since a wave of violence this month, Merkel described new fears gripping Europe. She said Germans were now locked in “a struggle, or a war, if you like” with the Islamic State, but could not turn their back on people in genuine need.
The welcome-mat policies of Merkel’s government have come under increasing criticism and demands for review. Germany has taken in more than 1.3 million refugees, asylum seekers and others since last year, including many fleeing war in Syria and elsewhere.