ANALYSIS: Demands for increased security - but powerlessness against racist terror

The 27-year-old German perpetrator directed his hatred towards feminism, to the left, to the Muslims and, above all, to the Jews, whom he believes threaten the existence of the white race.

His actions follow the same pattern as the role models Brenton Tarrant in New Zealand and Anders Behring Breivik in Norway. A political manifesto and murder should also make the terrorist in Halle a big name and a hero in the dark world he is in.

In addition to sharp condemnation, society's reaction is to quickly promise more money for security, more guards and increased police surveillance of Jewish institutions. Many are upset over the lack of police protection at the Halle synagogue. It was the perpetrator's expertise that saved lives, not police action.

And many are wondering why don't security authorities detect cold-blooded killers who collect weapons and explosives, like the terrorist in Halle?

But there are no simple answers to the question of how to detect and prevent terrorist acts - unless you are prepared to curtail civil liberties and rights. In Germany, it has gone further than in Sweden with the requirement for internet operators to clear publications of hate crimes. But it is easy to find new communication paths. The surveillance authorities are hopelessly behind.

One of many difficult issues that is now debated in the German media is whether to contribute to the terrorist's desire to get noticed by telling about his racist thoughts and his background. No one wants to be blamed for spreading hatred and inspiring new criminals.

But to do an analysis, knowledge of the factors that turn young men into hateful death machines is needed. Silencing the event does not change anything, those who want to find there anyway.

If society wants to be able to prevent and occur, an open discussion must be allowed. It is difficult, especially in Germany, where politicians today are full of shame for not being able to protect their citizens and their minorities against anti-Semitic and racist violence.

Some point to the right-wing Nationalist Party Alternatives for Germany, the AFD, as responsible for inflicting xenophobia. The AFD, like all other parties, condemned the terrorist act in Halle.

But a democracy must endure a free political debate. Absolute security cannot be achieved in an open society.