November 13, 2015 will be a day that Paris, as well as the rest of the world, will not forget. An NPR article released early Saturday morning includes details on the various attacks that occurred in Paris yesterday:

“89 people were massacred at the Bataclan, a concert venue…A few people were killed in explosions-outside the national soccer stadium…Others were killed on the sidewalks outside at least three restaurants in central Paris…Scores more people were injured, dozens severely, in the attacks across the city.”

Shortly after the attacks, the Islamic State (known as IS or ISIS) claimed responsibility in a statement they issued (the full statement can be read here). In the statement, IS “blames the attacks on the ‘idolatry’ and ‘perversion’ of the French people, as well as France’s aggressive participation in the Syrian conflict.” This terrifying statement also includes phrases indicative of IS’s intentions, such as, “they [France and those who follow France’s path] will remain the principle targets of IS and will continue to smell the odor of death for having led this crusade,” and, “This attack is only the start of the storm, and a warning for those who want to learn from their mistakes”.

French President François Hollande, who was present at the soccer stadium during the time of the supposed suicide bombing explosions, wasted no time in responding to these horrific incidents which authorities are saying have left at least 127 dead. In a statement on the morning of November 14th, President Hollande declared:

“We are going to lead a war which will be pitiless. Because when terrorists are capable of committing such atrocities they must be certain that they are facing a determined France, a united France, a France that is together and does not let itself be moved, even if today we express infinite sorrow.”

These vicious attacks have left many spiraling in sorrow and confusion. How did these attacks happen? Who were the attackers and why did they commit such atrocities? And equally as important, what must France, and the rest of the world, do in response?

President Hollande declared the first step of France’s response when he announced “roughly two hours after reports first emerged” that France was officially in a state of emergency and was closing its international borders. Both he, and other country leaders may also be giving additional consideration to the floods of refugees pouring in from various North African and Middle Eastern countries, particularly Syria.

Due to the sheer numbers of these individuals, it is nearly impossible to properly vet and track all of them. Unfortunately, the Islamic State and other offshoot terrorist groups have capitalized on such chaos as a means of sneaking their followers and sympathizers into European countries and the United States. According to an article by the Independent Journal, “One of the alleged attackers [in Paris] who was found with a Syrian passport might be a refugee that passed through Greece before coming into France.” Fake Syrian passports are very easy to obtain; in a Business Insider article it states, “If those needs happen to include a fake Syrian passport so they can pose as a refugee it will take mere moments to find someone who is willing to oblige.”

It is understandable that France and the rest of the world may require a bit more time to settle from the ground dropping out from under them. However, it is vital that serious changes start being implemented as soon as possible. Every day the Islamic State and radical jihadism is not properly addressed and challenged, it grows stronger, increases its reach geographically, and affects more innocent human beings. An excellent start to this change would be to collectively find a way to better vet the “refugees” entering Europe and the United States, to try and minimize the possibility that something like last night would occur again. The world stands in solidarity with France. It is well past time to stand in solidarity against the Islamic State and radical Islam.

*Special thoughts and prayers to those affected by the heinousness committed across Paris yesterday. We are with you in spirit and stand by you. Vive la France.