Paris--With thousands of Europeans fighting in Syria and Iraq, governments have slapped unprecedented and controversial controls on would-be jihadists, but experts say a legacy of mistrust has hampered intelligence sharing.
Since the Islamic State group called on Muslims to come to the caliphate it declared a year ago, foreign fighter numbers have jumped, with the UN reporting a 71 percent spike in the nine months to April.
The International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation in London said the number of foreigners fighting in Syria and Iraq had already topped 20,000 by January -- with nearly a fifth of them from western Europe.
Governments have scrambled for a response, leaving many concerned about the balance between security and civil liberties, particularly when it comes to blocking people from travelling.
France has confiscated 60 passports since February and its lawmakers have approved sweeping new spying powers, allowing cameras to be placed in homes and devices installed on computers for anyone linked to a "terrorist" inquiry -- without a judge's authorisation.
Britain passed similar legislation in February, with a particularly controversial clause banning "extremist" preachers from talking at universities.
Germany, The Netherlands and Denmark have also begun confiscating ID cards and passports to stop suspected jihadists leaving the country, with Belgium expected to start soon.
AFP
