We are no longer asking ourselves whether this country is endangered by radical Islam, jihad and the Islamic State. Six months ago we asked ourselves whether the question was rhetorical or paranoid. Well, now we have the official answer – a Report on the state of defense and armed forces for 2014, approved by the Council of Ministers. It reads that risks for Bulgaria’s security remain relatively high due to a series of factors in the region. The recruiting of volunteers from the region for military actions in Muslim states, i.e. jihadists and their eventual actions after their return – these are the most dangerous accents.

The EU member-state of Bulgaria is on the threshold of the Orient and the Middle East is really close to us. This single geographic fact, now a geopolitical one, places us along the frontline and on the path of jihad. You think it’s exaggerated? Well, let’s recall that the ISIS doctrine joined Bulgaria into the new caliphate of the Sunni jihadists, as its map showed where the black flag would be hoisted. The same doctrine says that by 2020 ISIS intends to control the Middle East, large areas of Asia and a part of Southeast Europe. Come on, this is ridiculous! We are part of NATO’s southern wing and Turkey is in front with the largest NATO army in Europe! Well, that is not exactly up-to-date information. Of course, no one says that Armageddon will hit us tomorrow, along with the 21st century’s religious conflict. However, one shouldn’t take it easy, regarding the fact that the radical Islam has its own 2020 plan.

According to experts, the info on ISIS members in Turkey, intending to enter Bulgaria, in order to get their refugee status causes more concerns than any allegations on Bulgarian citizens, going to a jihad in Syria and Iraq. This all hasn’t been confirmed and it’s the duty of the special services. However, it is a fact that Bulgaria is a stop for jihadists on their way from Europe to the hot spots in the Middle East – this can cause enough concern. And so can the fact that messengers of radical Islam tend to egg on the peaceful Muslim population within the mixed population areas. That is why their so-called political representatives here should be careful whenever they play with hate speech. Of course, the so-called nationalists, national-patriots, just patriots etc. shouldn’t play with the ethnic fire as well, despite being represented in parliament. Bulgaria has been an undisputed island of ethnic tolerance for the past 25 years, the latter having been politically legitimate too. However, the days of serenity are now passing away due to the geopolitical facts here, when radical Islam and its warriors, the jihadists want anything but religious or ethnic tolerance. This means an Orange Code for this country’s national security. A Red Code would mean it’s too late…

English version: Zhivko Stanchev