Excerpt:
The European Union's executive arm is proposing new measures fight extremism in Europe, from racism and xenophobia to the threat of radical Islam. They come amid concerns about the growing clout of far-right European parties as well as the exodus of people joining militant movements overseas.
European Union Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said hundreds of Europeans have left to train and fight in countries like Syria, Sudan and Somalia -- an exodus she said was influenced by extremist propaganda and recruiters.
"We estimate that more than 1,200 Europeans have left so far, and the number is growing," she said. "Some of these young men have joined groups with terrorist agendas, they have been trained and hardened in war, and could pose a threat to our security upon their return from a conflict zone."