My brother lives in Europe, and completely agrees that whilst the lives of these people have to be saved, that they can't be allowed to stay. The people of Europe don't want or need mass migration by these people, who will simply place even greater strain on an already strained continent. These people need to be saved and sent straight back to fix their own problems.
8
1) The EU's rulers claim the right to draft EU citizens into combat and to spend those citizens' lives in defense of the wealth of the EU elites. The EU's rulers are sticking their nose into Ukraine -- a non-EU nation 1000 miles away and on Russia's doorstep -- thereby provoking Russia into another Cold War. Yet these same elites will not defend the EU's borders from an African invasion. They are stabbing their unemployed citizens in the back in order to solicit cheap labor.
2) Why does Washington spend so much money on NATO? IF the EU elites won't even defend their own countrymen then what value could they ever provide to us in an emergency? Why do we think we can place our trust in them when their own people can not?
2) Why does Washington spend so much money on NATO? IF the EU elites won't even defend their own countrymen then what value could they ever provide to us in an emergency? Why do we think we can place our trust in them when their own people can not?
3
I don't understand why it is only Europe's responsibility and not Africa's but this belief is wrong. Is Europe expected to throw their doors open to half the population of Africa and Syria because they demand it, absurd. Should the rest of the world depose all of the corrupt elected and unelected leader in Africa, a new wave of imperialism? No. Illegal would be immigrants must be returned to their place of departure.
I think a start to improving living in African nations which are corrupt and oppressive would be to stop supporting them. Smarter people than me must find a way to remove conditions that cause this migration. What with these murderous Islamist groups posing such a threat throwing the doors open is simply not an option.
I think a start to improving living in African nations which are corrupt and oppressive would be to stop supporting them. Smarter people than me must find a way to remove conditions that cause this migration. What with these murderous Islamist groups posing such a threat throwing the doors open is simply not an option.
15
“Maybe not before our eyes, but they will die somewhere in Africa. It is pure hypocrisy.”
What kind of nutty thinking is this? Is it suddenly Europe's responsibility to try and save everyone's lives everywhere? Why stop with Africa? There are people dying in South America RIGHT NOW. And Papua New Guinea! Maybe not before our eyes, maybe not on our doorstep, maybe not even 3000 miles from us, but they're DYING! Do something about it, Europe!
There's a ridiculous sense of unspoken entitlement - that the First World just HAS to open its borders and let people in, why, because they want to come in! Who are we to say "no"?
What kind of nutty thinking is this? Is it suddenly Europe's responsibility to try and save everyone's lives everywhere? Why stop with Africa? There are people dying in South America RIGHT NOW. And Papua New Guinea! Maybe not before our eyes, maybe not on our doorstep, maybe not even 3000 miles from us, but they're DYING! Do something about it, Europe!
There's a ridiculous sense of unspoken entitlement - that the First World just HAS to open its borders and let people in, why, because they want to come in! Who are we to say "no"?
14
Although the insular Britain does not feel the tremors of this refugee crisis, Ed Miliband puts the blame on David Cameron for causing it indirectly.
In March 2011, Britain and France were the most fervent supporters of Hillary Clinton's UN Resolution 1973, based on the doctrine of "Responsibility to Protect" the civilians in Benghazi, who were under threat of being slaughtered by Muammar Gaddafi.
British and French military pilots flew more sorties than any of their NATO allies. Initially aimed at destroying Gaddafi's strike capabilities, the Resolution 1973 had become a mandate for regime change.
While in power, Gaddafi had prevented human traffickers from using Libya as their hub, following an agreement with Italy. Now the Libyans refuse to help, because they have enough problems on their own.
In March 2011, Britain and France were the most fervent supporters of Hillary Clinton's UN Resolution 1973, based on the doctrine of "Responsibility to Protect" the civilians in Benghazi, who were under threat of being slaughtered by Muammar Gaddafi.
British and French military pilots flew more sorties than any of their NATO allies. Initially aimed at destroying Gaddafi's strike capabilities, the Resolution 1973 had become a mandate for regime change.
While in power, Gaddafi had prevented human traffickers from using Libya as their hub, following an agreement with Italy. Now the Libyans refuse to help, because they have enough problems on their own.
6
The migration crisis is the inevitable legacy of 500 years of European racial ethnic sectarian colonial Imperial exploitation of native lands, resources and people that ended with native despots protected by a corrupt crony capitalist corporate plutocrat military-industrial complex European oligarchy. Europe is aging and shrinking with only 10 % of the Earth's people with $ 18.45 T GDP. Italy and Germany have the oldest populations in Europe and in the world along with Japan.
The Asian- African nations that just concluded their Non-Aligned Movement conference in Indonesia represents 75 % of the human race and 38% of the world GDP and 100 nations spoke had their solutions. Among their conclusions was support for the Palestinian cause, non-interference in nation states internal affairs and more mutual socioeconomic political educational cooperation. President XI Jinping delivered the key note address. They celebrated the 60th Anniversary of their first meeting in Bandung Indonesia.
The Asian- African nations that just concluded their Non-Aligned Movement conference in Indonesia represents 75 % of the human race and 38% of the world GDP and 100 nations spoke had their solutions. Among their conclusions was support for the Palestinian cause, non-interference in nation states internal affairs and more mutual socioeconomic political educational cooperation. President XI Jinping delivered the key note address. They celebrated the 60th Anniversary of their first meeting in Bandung Indonesia.
1
The age of imperialism was about 1870 to the end of WW1, Colonial oppression (where still not ongoing) was over by around 1990 at the latest. Europeans have enough to answer for without claiming total domination of an extra 400 years - it belittles the advances made by peoples who have thrown off the yoke of colonialism and mastered their own destinies - and highlights those who haven't. We have experienced waves of migration based on the ineptitude of leaders of former colonised countries - Vietnam comes to mind- which largely ended when their governments made economic changes and facilitated growth for their own people.
Corruption, nepotism and economic mismanagement are certainly part of the European experience, along with war and carnage - but the lessons on how to move beyond these things are something that can be learned by, say, Eritrea or Burma without blaming all present day situations on previous overlords - Turkey does not blame the mongols for its present problems and India does not blame the moghuls.
Corruption, nepotism and economic mismanagement are certainly part of the European experience, along with war and carnage - but the lessons on how to move beyond these things are something that can be learned by, say, Eritrea or Burma without blaming all present day situations on previous overlords - Turkey does not blame the mongols for its present problems and India does not blame the moghuls.
3
Europe's laws relating to non-legal visitors were designed for a trickle.
This is no trickle and Europe cannot take all who want in. Nor can it afford them.
When push comes to shove, nations must conclude that while helping needy outsiders is thoughtful, the first duty is to those already legally there. Like citizens.
So the solution to this problem will take enormous resources. There is no easy, low-cost solution to enormous problems like this one
This is no trickle and Europe cannot take all who want in. Nor can it afford them.
When push comes to shove, nations must conclude that while helping needy outsiders is thoughtful, the first duty is to those already legally there. Like citizens.
So the solution to this problem will take enormous resources. There is no easy, low-cost solution to enormous problems like this one
11
Of course it can be solved at sea. Increase patrols and upgrade sensors to capture close to 100% of the boats. This is now quite technologically feasible. Return the people on board to shore at or near where they came from and destroy the ships and boats they were on. Arrest the crews and put them in prison for long terms for human trafficking. The problem will stop quickly when ship owners realize they are losing money.
10
The full responsibility for mass illegal migration from the Middle East/Africa and its collateral deaths and suffering lies with those leaders in Europe who have allowed the illegal entrants to stay and, therefore, provided incentive for thousands if not millions to follow them. If the taxes on the upper 10% in Europe were doubled to support the social costs of this, private schools filled with functionally illiterate children so they were dumbed down 2 grade levels, and public housing for refugees built in expensive neighborhoods (instead of shoving all the "sharing" down the throats of the working and middle classes) the elite's egotistic declarations about how proud, superior and humanitarian they were for being so welcoming, charitable, volunteering their nations to be massive refugee camps and training grounds for future terrorists, would quickly evaporate.
12
Very interesting that you should say this. A few weeks back, there were plans to put a refugee home in one of Hamburg's most upscale neighborhoods having a mainly Green or SPD constituency, the very people who favor what is called a "culture of welcome". They immediately sued to prevent it from happening and were successful. Their argument was that proximity to such a place would lower property values. When the not-so-elite express similar worries, they are branded as Nazis. As George Orwell wrote: "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others." And the feckless European politicians wonder why people are increasingly moving towards "right-wing" parties.
7
One possible solution could be to save them in the sea, bring them to the shore, wash them, dress them, feed them, put them the on a save boat and send them back. Then they would think twice before going for that journey.
12
Hang on. How come this is always made to be more of Europe's and EU's problem than that of Africa and AU. While European leaders are proactive in trying to find solutions to deal with this immigration issue, African leaders sit back and watch about it on TV like the rest of us.
It's about time the AU and African leaders be held accountable for the loss of their citizens at sea, and at the very least be made to share the costs of rescue, patrol and repatriation missions. For it is because of hoplessness in their own countries that their citizens want to illegally move to another.
It's about time the AU and African leaders be held accountable for the loss of their citizens at sea, and at the very least be made to share the costs of rescue, patrol and repatriation missions. For it is because of hoplessness in their own countries that their citizens want to illegally move to another.
27
I see a serious threat to social stability THROUGHOUT Europe : hasn'y anyone noticed that the greatest number of these migrants are young, strapping MEN ? Once they get to Europe, and are dispersed ("seeded") throughout the continent, where are they going to live? What are they going to do for work? What will happen once they realize that this was not the yellow brick road to freedom and riches? Boredom? Anger? Loneliness?? These add up to the dangerous ingredients for social upheaval, retaliation, and dare I say, terrorism, as these frustrations find an outlet for expression. And by the way, where did all the money come from to pay off the smugglers? Something doesn't smell right here. Turn them back and repatriate them to their contries of origin. I don't know how much of Africa and the Volatile Middle East that Europe can absorb and tame.
23
All the once "all white" countries of western europe are now facing the same problems of diversity and race that america has faced since the whites brought slaves from Africa and the mexicans brought slaves from mexico to our country. Too much bigotry and too little understanding by all races.
1
I'm sorry is there a reason why anyone pays attention to human rights organizations? They are merely fronts for radical progressivism.
The UN projects 4 billion Africans by 2100. The continent can barely feed itself without considerable aid from the outside world. If even 10% migrated to Europe, that's 400M people roughly the equivalent of the current EU population.
These people need to be sent back or they'll be hit by a deluge the likes of which Europe has never seen.
The UN projects 4 billion Africans by 2100. The continent can barely feed itself without considerable aid from the outside world. If even 10% migrated to Europe, that's 400M people roughly the equivalent of the current EU population.
These people need to be sent back or they'll be hit by a deluge the likes of which Europe has never seen.
23
A wise parable warns no one can enter a strong mans house and plunder his goods unless he first binds the strong man.
Western civilisation is being bound by political correctness and fear and if the western world truly values democracy and its way of life it will unite to curb illegal immigration.
Western civilisation is being bound by political correctness and fear and if the western world truly values democracy and its way of life it will unite to curb illegal immigration.
27
Bruce has summarized the immigration problems in Europe and the US in 2 sentences.
2
Europe must also come to grips with its xenophobia. Despite plunging birth rates and projections of a declining work force most of Europe hasn't moved beyond limited asylum immigration for non-europeans. As Africans migrate to Europe there must be policies in place to integrate them into these new cultures. US immigration despite all the criticisms is far ahead of most European countries in this area.
Europe must also question a host of strategies that cause surges of immigration. The wars in Libya and Syria are but two where NATO, led by the US has destroyed two countries and produced the largest humanitarian crisis since WWII. Europe is now reaping the folly of its participation in those ill conceived policies. Hopefully they will learn from this experience as it is being repeated in Ukraine.
Europe must also question a host of strategies that cause surges of immigration. The wars in Libya and Syria are but two where NATO, led by the US has destroyed two countries and produced the largest humanitarian crisis since WWII. Europe is now reaping the folly of its participation in those ill conceived policies. Hopefully they will learn from this experience as it is being repeated in Ukraine.
2
" As Africans migrate to Europe there must be policies in place to integrate them into these new cultures"
But what if they do not want to "integrate" into these new cultures but want the make Europe accept their "culture"?
But what if they do not want to "integrate" into these new cultures but want the make Europe accept their "culture"?
22
"The Mouse is not Guilty; The Hole in the Wall Is!"
The 'hole in the wall? The Geneva Convention on Refugees remains un-amended although the World has changed greatly since.
Amend the Convention to allow repatriation to port of embarkation - or else, not only these 'refugees' will drown, but Europe will as well!
The 'hole in the wall? The Geneva Convention on Refugees remains un-amended although the World has changed greatly since.
Amend the Convention to allow repatriation to port of embarkation - or else, not only these 'refugees' will drown, but Europe will as well!
16
Turn them all back. A complete naval blockade. Not one more! Basta! Enough is enough!!
19
So how many migrants can Europe reasonably absorb? After that what.. ? The chaos, poverty and misery crushing parts of the Middle East and Africa is getting worse... populations keep growing...the lure of wealthy Europe is irresistible. Does anybody think that this problem can really be solved by accepting unlimited numbers of migrants ?That is a recipe for disaster on all sides of the Mediteranean. It may have to come to brute force in turning away this tidal wave ...until Africa and the Middle East show signs they are taking responsibility for taking care of their own people, Europe should very firmly refuse to accept any more migrants.
20
Where is the evidence that the vast majority of these migrants are truly fleeing unlivable, miserable existences in their home countries? Nope, sorry, the mere fact that they attempted the trip is not evidence of that. Seeking a better life does not mean that they couldn't have lived at the very least satisfying existences in their home countries. Countries like Europe should only feel obliged to help those fleeing starvation and war. Just as with the recent influx of Central Americans into the USA, for which similar assumptions of unlivable misery were made by a sheeplike media, no facts have been reported as to why most of these people make these dangerous trips. Until I see that, I will consider the Europe shamers as little more than propagandists for open borders (first world countries only, of course).
17
The narrative around the problem--not crisis, including this article, is missing a key aspect. It mentions Europe and Europe's boundaries but completely omits the fact that these people are coming from somewhere. A foreign--outside the EU and beyond Mediterranean shores--policy is necessary.
There are plenty of good and bad examples from which Europeans could learn in how the U.S. has tried to comprehensively deal with threats and challenges from in and beyond the Caribbean, in Central and South America. Don't allow the Europeans To keep being selfish and shortsighted.
There are plenty of good and bad examples from which Europeans could learn in how the U.S. has tried to comprehensively deal with threats and challenges from in and beyond the Caribbean, in Central and South America. Don't allow the Europeans To keep being selfish and shortsighted.
1
Every time you try and do something on the cheap it will come back to haunt you. It is not just Europe that is having problems. Until exploitation of peolpe by governments and corporations ends we will have that problem.
2
Out of interest, I should like to know how much aid, those African countries have received since their respective independence in the late fifties early sixities! And what they have done with it! I have no problems with the fact that we should help those people fleeing war, for the others, well those countries wanted independence, they've got it, then deal with it!
7
It is well documented - the aid is in the billions and it goes into a few pockets of those corrupt politician and tribal leaders that have exploited their own people for 1000s of years. The only aid that should EVER be given is actual food and actual material, with UN hands to distribute.
2
Holistic indeed.
What should we do with all these people ? Cram them in cargo containers ?
Even in rich countries, even here in germany, people are struggling to find a well paid job, some have to work a lifetime for a small appartment for their own, and these are domestics, speak the language, went to school. And we have already to deal with a surge of east-europeans coming here, which in contrast come along with a very good education and willing to work for very small wage.
This is ending in frustration and violence. We are just putting off the evil day. We have the very same mix in europe as we had at the eve of WW2, economic depression for a long time, a new minority. Expect some more terror acts of islamic fanatics, expect a patriot act, expect an european right-wing rising, expect barbed wired camps, expect that some things, we never thought would happen again, will happen. If we don't find an holistic solution.
What should we do with all these people ? Cram them in cargo containers ?
Even in rich countries, even here in germany, people are struggling to find a well paid job, some have to work a lifetime for a small appartment for their own, and these are domestics, speak the language, went to school. And we have already to deal with a surge of east-europeans coming here, which in contrast come along with a very good education and willing to work for very small wage.
This is ending in frustration and violence. We are just putting off the evil day. We have the very same mix in europe as we had at the eve of WW2, economic depression for a long time, a new minority. Expect some more terror acts of islamic fanatics, expect a patriot act, expect an european right-wing rising, expect barbed wired camps, expect that some things, we never thought would happen again, will happen. If we don't find an holistic solution.
22
Though I feel sorry for these people and believe that Europe should and needs to develope a collective approach to the problem, it is simply wrong to claim that, as an ethical issue, this is Europe's problem, wrong, as claimed in another Times piece by Kenan Malik that, "Thousands of migrants are dying at sea because of inhumane E.U. policy."
As an ethical issue, the primary culprits are the regimes and cultures these people are escaping from, as well as those who prosper off these unconscionably dangerous boats. And, yes, the emigrants from these societies must also bear responsibility for their choices.
Should Europe help? Sure. Is Europe obligated to help? No!
That is a "no" with one qualification: Europe is obligated as a practical matter -- to help maintain itself as a place where so many of the world's unfortunate people want to escape to.
Ditto for America.
As an ethical issue, the primary culprits are the regimes and cultures these people are escaping from, as well as those who prosper off these unconscionably dangerous boats. And, yes, the emigrants from these societies must also bear responsibility for their choices.
Should Europe help? Sure. Is Europe obligated to help? No!
That is a "no" with one qualification: Europe is obligated as a practical matter -- to help maintain itself as a place where so many of the world's unfortunate people want to escape to.
Ditto for America.
23
If Europe began showing hospitality to these migrants it would encourage millions more. It would not be long before Europe was a colony of Africa. It is just the same as in the US where even rumors that illegal immigrants are being granted amnesty inspires others to come to America and if we did not say no we would have become a colony of South and Central American quite some time ago. People say Europe and the US are cruel to reject the flood of immigrants as though there are only a few thousands with no more to be expected. Do these people think no line should be drawn even if it means taking in 50 million people? People compare turning them away to turning away Jews during the Holocaust. There are many reasons why this comparison is false. One is that these people have dozens of countries in closer proximity that Europe and the US with whom they share cultural, religious, language and racial ties with. Jews did not have that.
22
The countries in close proximity, particularly the rich Gulf states, refuse to take in any migrants. Even "guest workers", including western engineers and architects, are basically limited to two years in some of these states. The reason? To preserve the local culture and keep it from becoming "adulterated" or "corrupted." And of course, the media always show women with children, although the vast majority of migrants are young men. They could, if they wished, lodge a legal application, but since this would be time-consuming and of doubtful success, they usually destroy their papers and claim refugee status. The crossing costs thousands of dollars, and all of the young migrant men I see in our mid-sized town have smartphones. It's perfectly understandable and legitimate to want a better life, but breaking the law and using moral blackmail are unacceptable. There are no jobs for most of these men; young Europeans educated here and without language problems have trouble finding employment nowadays. The cost to the welfare system is tremendous and the frustration of enforced idleness - apart from language and integration courses, which have become big business - causes many of these young men to drift into unsavoury or even criminal activities. Europeans are more than ready to take in true refugees fleeing from persecution, but they can't save the entire world. This abuse of the asylum system is putting many people's backs up.
11
When the Italian program Mare Nostrum was still running, it was reported in the NY Times that the program was able to save the lives of every endangered refugee who made it as far as international waters.
Yes, the long term solution must involve--somehow-- trying to make these refugees' homelands into minimally-livable countries and not war zones. Half the planet can't relocate to the other path. But no one can see a clear path to ending the hell that exists in many countries from which the refugees are fleeing.
In the meantime, read some authoritative accounts of what people are fleeing. Consider how you feel about any of your ancestors who fled pogroms, tyranny, or famine. And then decide how many people you could watch drown in front of your eyes.
Yes, the long term solution must involve--somehow-- trying to make these refugees' homelands into minimally-livable countries and not war zones. Half the planet can't relocate to the other path. But no one can see a clear path to ending the hell that exists in many countries from which the refugees are fleeing.
In the meantime, read some authoritative accounts of what people are fleeing. Consider how you feel about any of your ancestors who fled pogroms, tyranny, or famine. And then decide how many people you could watch drown in front of your eyes.
5
Where are those authoritative accounts? Those accounts were validated by fact checkers? People lie all the time to stay in countries where they're not citizens.
11
The Euro dropped some 30% against the dollar these past couple of months. Europe, about one third the seize of USA has more than 400,000,000 people. The languages spoke in the EU is English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Turkish, Greek, Russian, Scandinavian, Dutch, Danish, etc., etc., only the well educated speak English. Unemployment is about twice that of here in the US. North Africa, and beyond are fleeing their countries and trying to make it into Europe. Brussels EU headquarters is criticized by individual countries like Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, France, Denmark, etc., etc. In short, Europe is way beyond recovery. It has joined the misery of countries in Africa, Eastern Europe, Middle East, etc. Europe is gone, it is finished.
9
If the US does not stop the flow of people over its borders from Central and South America it will be the same for us. A bigger worry though is the numbers coming and overstaying their visas the only means for those in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean since it is too far to sail. Parts of US cities are no longer recognizable as the US.
6
To give another perspective to the motives of some of these migrants, we can look at the Australian experience. There is a large number of asylum seekers from the Middle East looking to claim residence in Australia too. These people travel great distances and bypass many countries along the way that could and would offer asylum in order to reach Australian shores. If what they seek is safety, why do these asylum seekers ignore the shelter offered by poorer countries and try so desperately to reach wealthy ones like Australia?
True refugees are a rare breed because few people warrant the kind of attention needed to kill someone. Most migrants who claim asylum are really just looking for a better life. Unfortunately, if a person is desperate enough to clamber on board a leaky skiff to get to Europe, it is highly unlikely that he or she will be the sort of individual who will thrive in modern, complex European society. The mismatch usually results in a great deal of pain and abuse for both the immigrant and the host.
Perhaps it is time to consider what being a humanitarian is all about. Instead of superficial fixes, would it not be more sensible to re-examine the 1951 UNHCR Refugee Convention in order to properly separate true refugees from economic migrants?
True refugees are a rare breed because few people warrant the kind of attention needed to kill someone. Most migrants who claim asylum are really just looking for a better life. Unfortunately, if a person is desperate enough to clamber on board a leaky skiff to get to Europe, it is highly unlikely that he or she will be the sort of individual who will thrive in modern, complex European society. The mismatch usually results in a great deal of pain and abuse for both the immigrant and the host.
Perhaps it is time to consider what being a humanitarian is all about. Instead of superficial fixes, would it not be more sensible to re-examine the 1951 UNHCR Refugee Convention in order to properly separate true refugees from economic migrants?
26
More than half of the people overstaying visas and crossing the US's Southern border are here for economic purposes not because of persecution. Our 14th Amendment to the Constitution makes it possible to stay just because they have a child born here. A repeal of the amendment would do a lot to stop this form of extortion by people entering illegally.
8
It is not Italy's problem, nor only Europe's problem.
Everybody interested in "globalization" (and I mean not only the US and Europe, but the emerging superpower China and the rich Arab countries) should come up with solutions or ... "carry the weight"!
Everybody interested in "globalization" (and I mean not only the US and Europe, but the emerging superpower China and the rich Arab countries) should come up with solutions or ... "carry the weight"!
10
Most commenters seem to understand how unsustainable and suicidal Europe's rescue-and-absorb policy really is. Some draw a parallel to our own (American) immigration crisis and say it's equally self-destructive. Having lived many years both in California and in Italy, I see a crucial difference. Mexican immigrants here retain a lot of their native culture and often struggle to integrate, but they don't seem to actively oppose the integration of their children. The immigrants I've known in Italy have been vocal--even to me!--about needing to protect their children from the pollution of Western values. Not all immigrant populations are the same. Europe should offer asylum to any of its southern neighbors who are freethinkers, religious minorities or refugees from forced marriages. If Europe takes in people who are at least somewhat critical of their native cultures, it could actually help bring about the overdue Islamic Enlightment.
16
The UN's most recent population projections are that the population of Africa will grow from 1,166,239,000 in 2015 to 2,393,175,000 in 2050 and then to 4,184,577,000 in 2100. Unless Europe adopts the strict immigration controls that have worked so well for Israel and Australia, combined with the enthusiastic promotion of the family planning in Africa, the world will see the demographic drowning of Europe by Africans.
For a graph of the UN's projections, see:
http://www.unz.com/isteve/the-worlds-most-important-graph/
For a graph of the UN's projections, see:
http://www.unz.com/isteve/the-worlds-most-important-graph/
25
This is indeed the result of America's military and industrial complex's greed. Had there been no US involvement in Libya, Tunisia, and Syria, then thousands of people would not have drowned simply because they would either have jobs in their native countries or would not be allowed to come aboard those ships.
Europe and other countries suffer; the military complex has sold its missiles to the US government, the US government has borrowed money for these from China. Why does America think that democracy can be exported as easily as guns and oil?
Europe and other countries suffer; the military complex has sold its missiles to the US government, the US government has borrowed money for these from China. Why does America think that democracy can be exported as easily as guns and oil?
5
If Obama had not abandoned Iraq for purely partisan reasons, the Middle East would be in far better shape.
1
Rubbish, of the "Blame America First" kind.
4
Didn't anyone look at Hans Rosling's Gapfinder post about the real issue? They take boats at 1,000 euros because the airlines won't let them fly for 400 euros, without a visa. They don't have visas because they are Refugees! So the airlines get to cop out on the Geneva convention.
The EU should make it well known in Africa they will not be searching for or rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean. They have their own people to care for while most of the countries are having severe monetary problems. Why should the Europeans be short-changed to pay for uninvited intruders?
Saudi Arabia has lots of money and it would be easier to take in these migrants there? Are the Saudis afraid that these people don't practice the same type of Islam? A lot of Muslims have been causing trouble in Europe because they don't fit in because they choose not to. It's time for the Saudis to play host to their fellow Muslims. Maybe they could learn something. Saudi Arabia is a lot closer to the trouble spots. It's time for them to step in and not expect Europe, which has financial problems partly because of the greedy Saudis, to do their share to take care of these migrants. It is not Europe's responsibility. They should publicize that more than a 1000 have died this year and there is no money to rescue any more.
Saudi Arabia has lots of money and it would be easier to take in these migrants there? Are the Saudis afraid that these people don't practice the same type of Islam? A lot of Muslims have been causing trouble in Europe because they don't fit in because they choose not to. It's time for the Saudis to play host to their fellow Muslims. Maybe they could learn something. Saudi Arabia is a lot closer to the trouble spots. It's time for them to step in and not expect Europe, which has financial problems partly because of the greedy Saudis, to do their share to take care of these migrants. It is not Europe's responsibility. They should publicize that more than a 1000 have died this year and there is no money to rescue any more.
19
@S.L.
What has Saudi Arabia got to with Europe's/Africa's immigration problem? The Mediterranean Sea does not even border the country! There has not been even a single Saudi refugee/migrant on these boats. Most of these migrants are from non-Muslim sub Saharan Africa.
What has Saudi Arabia got to with Europe's/Africa's immigration problem? The Mediterranean Sea does not even border the country! There has not been even a single Saudi refugee/migrant on these boats. Most of these migrants are from non-Muslim sub Saharan Africa.
" Are the Saudis afraid that these people don't practice the same type of Islam?
That's exactly right. You have to be just the right flavor Muslim, or you're an infidel. And the fact that there is no separation of church and state in the Middle East, keeps the medieval hatred going.
That's exactly right. You have to be just the right flavor Muslim, or you're an infidel. And the fact that there is no separation of church and state in the Middle East, keeps the medieval hatred going.
1
The reason for hundred of thousands of people crossing Mediterranean waters in search of safety in Europe is well known. The Middle East and parts of Africa are war zones without any sign of peace. Seeking a political solution in those war torn countries is the first order of business for the EU and US.
5
Nope. Seeking to better the lives of their own citizens should be the first order of business for the EU and US.
3
Let's remember, the U.S. once had a constructive, proactive position toward promoting responsible family planning in the third world back in the 1970's. Then we had a conservative revolution where we went so far as to criticize other nations for their own efforts at population control (even to the extent of opposition to contraception). What good we have done since then has been mostly under the radar. Now we have a situation where both figuratively and literally, you reap what you sow.
10
You are mistaken.
The morality of the people who appear to be "do gooders" should not be held as above critical examination. If migration succeeds the news of the happiness, affluence and safety of the new country makes it back home. The success motivates others to try and do the same. A trickle become a torrent. The west can not absorb the full population of Africa, Asia and South America. Ask the do-gooder the question, when do you decide to cut off intake? Will it not be cruel to the others you gave false hope to?
28
Europe is already teaming with migrants that cannot or will not be assimilated. Europe has a right to control it's own borders and the problem needs to be solved at the source. If they have legitimate refugee claims, they should be settle in the nearest safe country in the region. The rich countries of the region (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Dubai etc) should be doing more to help these people out. They import millions of migrants from Southeast Asia, to do manual labor, surely they could employ a few Africans. The reason they don't is because they don't want to, yet Europe is expected to. Europe should intercept mother ships as they move into international waters, arrest the crews, sink the ships and re-patriate the passengers. Once this message is received in their home countries, few people would spend thousands of dollars for naught.
36
People need to understand that the solution to this crisis is not by rewarding every boat person with residence in Europe. Many of these people are NOT asylum seekers. They are economic migrants that are looking for better job, better life style in Europe. Many of the countries of Africa are stable countries and there is not need to give people from these countries residence in Europe. They must be deported back to their home countries.
Also we should not forget that genuine asylum seekers, as opposed to asylum shoppers, are supposed to seek asylum in the first safe country they reach. Many of these people are asylum shoppers who pass through safe countries so they can get to Europe. Asylum shoppers should also be deported.
Every effort must be made to deter these boats and constant rescue only encourage more of them to come. Prompt deportations and the recognition of Asylum shopper and economic migrants as people to be deported.
When these people see that they will NOT get to stay in Europe, only then can this manufactured crisis be ended.
It should not be the responsibility of Europe or the US to take every single impoverished, illiterate migrant washed up on their shores. There are other countries in the world like China, Saudi Arabia etc. which should be taking a greater share of these people.
Also we should not forget that genuine asylum seekers, as opposed to asylum shoppers, are supposed to seek asylum in the first safe country they reach. Many of these people are asylum shoppers who pass through safe countries so they can get to Europe. Asylum shoppers should also be deported.
Every effort must be made to deter these boats and constant rescue only encourage more of them to come. Prompt deportations and the recognition of Asylum shopper and economic migrants as people to be deported.
When these people see that they will NOT get to stay in Europe, only then can this manufactured crisis be ended.
It should not be the responsibility of Europe or the US to take every single impoverished, illiterate migrant washed up on their shores. There are other countries in the world like China, Saudi Arabia etc. which should be taking a greater share of these people.
48
A real holistic response to this would mean stopping the illegal immigration at its source. People are fleeing these lands because of the tyranny of fundamentalism and the brutality of sectarian war. So, use U.N. coalitions to bring the wars to a halt, bury the combatants, destroy the heavy weaponry, install interim governments for a few decades until the countries can recover, and heavily promote birth control. Also when the wars have been nullified, work on legally migrating people to other areas, because all of these countries will not be able to sustain human life much longer, thanks to dehydration. Like today, nobody lives in the center of the Sahara, and soon all of Libya will have the same environment.
That's the answer to this, like it or don't. Picking up as many refugees as we can just means more will throw themselves into the sea, overwhelming any attempt. Letting the wars continue will just make the famine riots that much worse when these lands are unable to feed their populations (within 60 years I'd say). We can start working on these things now, or we can resign ourselves to having to slaughter humans by the millions when the famines hit.
Knowing humanity, I guess we're going to go with not solving things, so good luck everyone.
That's the answer to this, like it or don't. Picking up as many refugees as we can just means more will throw themselves into the sea, overwhelming any attempt. Letting the wars continue will just make the famine riots that much worse when these lands are unable to feed their populations (within 60 years I'd say). We can start working on these things now, or we can resign ourselves to having to slaughter humans by the millions when the famines hit.
Knowing humanity, I guess we're going to go with not solving things, so good luck everyone.
16
Many of these people are not fleeing war; it's economic migration.
9
It has to be stopped at the source by their own governments. This means they have to stabilize their populations and provide jobs for them. The EU needs to adopt a "carrot and stick" approach to these nations. Those who get their population under control and on a downward trajectory get more aid and trade, those who do not get nothing. In the meantime however there needs to be zero tolerance for any illegal aliens who arrive in Europe by any means---air, land and sea. Any who come in without prior approval will be sent home immediately. Australia does this and has ended its illegal immigration problem completely. Europe must do the same to survive. Plain and simple.
40
Actually Australia sends most of its interdicted refugees to nearby South Pacific nations like Nauru or Papua, where it pays MASSIVE sums of money to keep them out of sight. Humanitarian abuses are notorious. Australia's right-wing government can talk tough about 'zero tolerance,' etc. but Australia would save money and gain willing labor by adopting the 'soft' policies the EU--and Australia--have practiced in the past.
1
Just a small correction. Australia doesn't send asylum seekers offshore for processing because there have been no boat arrivals for 18 months. Nor are boat arrivals returned immediately to their homelands, as Rice Pritchard asserts, first because they have stopped arriving and secondly because Australia has assessed arrivals for refugee status and does not return those (most) who qualify. Instead it sends them offshore for detention or resettlement. No unauthorised boat arrival, even if granted refugee status, is granted residency in Australia and boats are returned while still at sea. Australian voters did not accept Brent's argument at the last election. There is an upside to an ugly policy: the deaths of hundreds or even thousands have been averted. Would these deaths have occurred if the asylum seekers had not boarded a boat but been persecuted in their home countries? We cannot know that, but we do know that deaths at sea have stopped.
The Arab countries should take the lead in handling this humanitarian crisis. The Saudis have vast wealth but they seem to be more interested in bombing Yemen back to the Stone Age. Perhaps a sensible solution would be to convene a latter-day Congress of Vienna to redraw the map of these countries so as to separate these warring tribes, religious sects and clans into as homogeneous a state as possible. Clearly, Libya is really two countries, Iraq is three, and so forth. Time we realized this.
36
Your ideas make a lot of sense and I wish they could be implemented. The anti immigration movement in Europe wants the same thing. They don't want these people because they are a different religion, sect. clan and not homogeneous with the Europan culture.
5
Such logic will never result in international polemics. To do as McConnell suggest would place the problem squarely on Lord Baldwin and Winston Churchill whose self declared international relations policy and operational strategy was to maintain the British Empire. a 19th Century Victorian mindset which ultimately destroyed the British Empire in the decade following WWII. And in its antecedent two decades of enforcement of British Empirical global hubris between the two world wars.
2
Or, the better, more mature solution would be to redraw the map to make the countries as heterogenous as possible, with a multitude of tribes, sects and clans forced to figure out a way to live together.
The Italians have been heroic in their efforts to save lives and arrest the traffickers.
33
Mudslinging is very easy in the aftermath of last week's 900 deaths.
But no one is suggesting what can be effectively done by the nations of the West.
The Economist reports that some one million refugees are poised to launch themselves towards European shores this summer. Are they to be returned to their countries of origin or taken in? Fed or starved?
And given the continuing collapse of states from Iraq to Libya, the flow is only likely to increase.
But no one is suggesting what can be effectively done by the nations of the West.
The Economist reports that some one million refugees are poised to launch themselves towards European shores this summer. Are they to be returned to their countries of origin or taken in? Fed or starved?
And given the continuing collapse of states from Iraq to Libya, the flow is only likely to increase.
15
Realistically, neither Europe nor the U.S. (God forbid!) can take on the gigantic task of taking care of this many refugees. Whether it is Syrians or people from the continent of Africa, the best plan is probably to go form some sort of local militia, give them the appropriate arms, and let them fight for their own homeland. This could work in Central America and Mexico as well. The western countries simply cannot provide for every need of every displaced person in the entire world--think about how the world situation has completely devolved into chaos in the past six years. When we bring displaced refugees here or allow our immigration laws to be ignored and we end up with millions of illegals with no job skills--well, this is NOT the America I knew and was proud to call home before our government decided to lead from behind!
8
HOW DO WE SOLVE THE PROBLEM -- of???
man's inhumanity to man and woman...
greed and famine
lack of drinking water
radicals of all stripes
anyone for birth control and the empowerment of women?? just for an experiment...
man's inhumanity to man and woman...
greed and famine
lack of drinking water
radicals of all stripes
anyone for birth control and the empowerment of women?? just for an experiment...
48
The U.S. has constructed hundreds of miles of walls to curtail illegal immigration. These are barbed wired and patrolled with armed guards. There is no ground for U.S. indignation at Europe for trying to protect itself, too. Solve and stop the problem at the source.
40
This is a very dangerous time for Europe. All anti-immigrant political parties are surprising the Establishment with their gains in elections. Ordinary Europeans are still hurting economically; there is high unemployment especially of young people, benefits are being cut, and the "Safety Net" is coming apart.
The electorate will not want to hear that it is their responsibility to take in untold numbers of refugees and migrants from Africa and the Middle East.
Europeans are tired of being called "Racist" because they appear to not think African countries can solve their own problems. Now the plight of North Africa is being placed on their doorstep. They have every right to say that this is not their problem and the African nations themselves must solve it.
Likewise with Syria; It was not Europeans who started the Civil War. How many of these Syrian Migrants or their extended families totally approved of getting involved in a Civil War when it looked liked Bashar al Assad would be overthrown in a couple of months. As they say, its easy to destroy something, but not so easy to build things and put them together again.
Of course I have great sympathy for refugees and migrants, but I do not think that Europe has the will or the resources to offer asylum to a large number of them.
The electorate will not want to hear that it is their responsibility to take in untold numbers of refugees and migrants from Africa and the Middle East.
Europeans are tired of being called "Racist" because they appear to not think African countries can solve their own problems. Now the plight of North Africa is being placed on their doorstep. They have every right to say that this is not their problem and the African nations themselves must solve it.
Likewise with Syria; It was not Europeans who started the Civil War. How many of these Syrian Migrants or their extended families totally approved of getting involved in a Civil War when it looked liked Bashar al Assad would be overthrown in a couple of months. As they say, its easy to destroy something, but not so easy to build things and put them together again.
Of course I have great sympathy for refugees and migrants, but I do not think that Europe has the will or the resources to offer asylum to a large number of them.
76
You are absolutely correct on every point! There comes a time when politicians run out of other peoples' money and individuals have to fight their own battles and learn to take care of themselves. Whether it is people from Syria, Africa, or Mexico, it is time for personal responsibility. We have too many American citizens who need help right here to bring in a bunch of illegals or legalize the illegals already here whose very presence here means that they have broken our laws and are criminals in need of being deported.
8
Whose problem? Recall that the Libyan government collapsed after NATO brought it down, with no viable replacement (just as the US did in Iraq). Recall that the poverty and starvation in Mali and other African nations is a legacy of 100 years of European colonization. And that increasing numbers of these migrants are climate migrants, driven from their homelands by climate changes brought on by greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere by ... whom? Hint: not the Africans. The Western nations and their world system have created these miserable situations that induce desperate migrations. It's only just that Western nations--including the US--would help mitigate them.
I will ask the most obvious question:
"Why is this EUROPE's crisis?"
I second several other comments already made by other readers. The unfortunate European countries being flooded by boatloads of uneducated migrants who often have no interest in culturally assimilating into the countries they are fleeing to should intercept these boats, tighten their border patrols, and aggressively return these unwelcome guests back to their countries of origin. They should continue to do this repeatedly until the message filters down to these would-be migrants that they will not be given safe haven nor be permitted to circumvent the established immigration policies of these countries. However costly this policy is it will ultimately be money well spent, especially when one considers the cost of supporting and subsidizing these uninvited "guests" and the inevitable havoc they will create when they attempt to impose their religion and culture on the host European countries.
Think this is overstating the case ?? Ask France, the Netherlands, London, Germany, Belgium, etc. about this.
"Why is this EUROPE's crisis?"
I second several other comments already made by other readers. The unfortunate European countries being flooded by boatloads of uneducated migrants who often have no interest in culturally assimilating into the countries they are fleeing to should intercept these boats, tighten their border patrols, and aggressively return these unwelcome guests back to their countries of origin. They should continue to do this repeatedly until the message filters down to these would-be migrants that they will not be given safe haven nor be permitted to circumvent the established immigration policies of these countries. However costly this policy is it will ultimately be money well spent, especially when one considers the cost of supporting and subsidizing these uninvited "guests" and the inevitable havoc they will create when they attempt to impose their religion and culture on the host European countries.
Think this is overstating the case ?? Ask France, the Netherlands, London, Germany, Belgium, etc. about this.
92
" intercept these boats, tighten their border patrols, and aggressively return these unwelcome guests back to their countries of origin. They should continue to do this repeatedly until the message filters down to these would-be migrants that they will not be given safe haven nor be permitted to circumvent the established immigration policies of these countries. "
That's exactly what Australia has done. We had over 50,000 illegal immigrants arrive by boat in the 5 years up to the election of our current government in 2013. These arrivals were tragically accompanied by many thousands of drowning deaths.
Guess what? Since we stopped wringing our hands about 'our' problem and toughened up we've had no more boat arrivals. people are no longer drowning and the people smugglers have been put out of business.
That's exactly what Australia has done. We had over 50,000 illegal immigrants arrive by boat in the 5 years up to the election of our current government in 2013. These arrivals were tragically accompanied by many thousands of drowning deaths.
Guess what? Since we stopped wringing our hands about 'our' problem and toughened up we've had no more boat arrivals. people are no longer drowning and the people smugglers have been put out of business.
18
It's Europe's crisis because Europe sits across the Mediterranean Sea from Africa and the Levant. Geography has deemed it Europe's crisis. These "unwelcome guests," as you call them, are refugees running for their lives, hoping to get some place where they'll have a shot at living in peace, relative prosperity, and security.
You'd be doing the same thing, and so would I, and so would anyone else. Your comment was, if not racist, at least insensitive and idiotic. How is it these people's fault -- and many of them are children -- that they happen to have been born in a country that is presently enduring sectarian warfare and, in some cases, collapse?
Your comment echoes the same coldness and nativism that was so evident during the children-at-our-border "crisis" last year. It is the responsibility of African states, European states, and every other humanitarian-minded government in the world, not least our own, to do whatever it takes to make sure that not another week passes during which a thousand lives are lost at sea.
These people cannot seek recourse to states that are unable or unwilling to help them; the states that can should and must. (And we will not get into what European states have done to Africa, but you mustn't think these people somehow incapable of self-government or democracy. There is a long, troubled history, with which the West is inextricably linked, behind the problems in both the Levantine states and Africa -- but that isn't what makes helping right.)
You'd be doing the same thing, and so would I, and so would anyone else. Your comment was, if not racist, at least insensitive and idiotic. How is it these people's fault -- and many of them are children -- that they happen to have been born in a country that is presently enduring sectarian warfare and, in some cases, collapse?
Your comment echoes the same coldness and nativism that was so evident during the children-at-our-border "crisis" last year. It is the responsibility of African states, European states, and every other humanitarian-minded government in the world, not least our own, to do whatever it takes to make sure that not another week passes during which a thousand lives are lost at sea.
These people cannot seek recourse to states that are unable or unwilling to help them; the states that can should and must. (And we will not get into what European states have done to Africa, but you mustn't think these people somehow incapable of self-government or democracy. There is a long, troubled history, with which the West is inextricably linked, behind the problems in both the Levantine states and Africa -- but that isn't what makes helping right.)
1
Why is this Europe's crisis? Maybe because the chaos in the Middle East is largely the result of the various wars promulgated by the United States and its European allies following the attacks in New York on September 11, 2001. Maybe because the Western powers encouraged revolution in the in many of those countries and then, when the reigning dictator (who often in the past had had their full support) was overthrown, left those countries to figure out for themselves what came next. Maybe because Libya's current anarchic condition is the direct result of the United States and Britain's having encouraged (through the involvement of NATO) facilitated the overthrow of Muammar Ghadafi in 2011 and then having abandoned the country and its people to their own devices once that was achieved. Maybe because the United States and much of Europe have happily made a hellhole of Syria, as they first encouraged its people to rise up against President Assad and now, because the results of that uprising (the rise of ISIS) not longer suit their interests, are now allowing Syria to degenerate into a battleground between the Sunnis and the Shiites, with the West now throwing its support behind the Shiite and, by extension, behind Assad. All of these factors have contributed both to the refugee crisis that is causing this migration and to the lawlessness in Libya that facilitates it, and for Europe to say that it has no responsibility for these migrants is the height of cynicism.
2
The chicken has come home to roost, this is what is happening to the "EU", most of these migrants are from former colonies, which have been abandoned by their colonial masters, after the depletion their natural resources, and decades of underdevelopment.
The EU must face this problem squarely or else risk another Nazi type situation, of not in my backyard approach, while Hitler was perpetrating genocide. There will be lots more of these migrant populations and they have to be dealt with favorably by the European Union.
The EU must face this problem squarely or else risk another Nazi type situation, of not in my backyard approach, while Hitler was perpetrating genocide. There will be lots more of these migrant populations and they have to be dealt with favorably by the European Union.
6
I guess when tomorrow a homeless person insists on moving into your home, do as you say and be a humanitarian and accommodate.
55
You need a reality check--it is not the fault or responsibility of present-day Europeans to right the supposed wrongs of past generations any more than it is the responsibility of Americans today to be forced to take care of Spanish-speaking people who refuse to assimilate into our society.
9
The local threw out the colonists, and the natural resources had not and have not been depleted. Why is it after many decades they have not formed stable societies, but reverted to the tribal warfare that existed before colonization?
4
It is not the European Union's responsibility to save the lives of illegal migrants from Africa who try to get to Europe. That is the responsibility of their home countries. How much do European nations have to give before they themselves fail their own native citizens? Let those African and Middle Eastern countries who refuse to provide their people with a viable economy and decent living conditions change their ways. Political correctness and blaming the responsible countries of Europe will be the end of western civilization unless our leaders get tough and reject the whining of liberals.
61
Paul, who said this is a liberal/conservative issue. This is a human issue. There is no easy answer, "liberal" or "conservative? Who are the liberals you say are whining.
After WWII, Europe was a devastated battleground of destroyed nations, economies, infrastructure and the inability to fix itself without help. A humanitarian response in a revolutionary, controversial and yes some would incorrectly say "liberal" program by a non European player was launched by America which had the sheer luck of not being bombed to oblivion, an economy that needed stimulating and a leadership that was both creative and forward thinking. It was called the Marshall Plan and it jumpstarted Europe to become the powerhouse that it is today.
It is that kind of thinking that is needed in Europe now to take action aimed at the source of the problem, African nations mired in civil & religious wars and an old colonial based infrastructure being demolished by war and terror.
These African countries are not going to change to help their peoples simply by a Europe refusing refugees who they are glad to let die. It will only make things worse for all, including Europe itself.
There is seemingly no reasonable answer but I believe there must be one and it must come out of Europe...and fast.
This is neither a whining liberal thing nor is an obstinate conservative thing. It is a human condition thing. Like it or not the ball is in Europe's court and what they do will have global consequences.
After WWII, Europe was a devastated battleground of destroyed nations, economies, infrastructure and the inability to fix itself without help. A humanitarian response in a revolutionary, controversial and yes some would incorrectly say "liberal" program by a non European player was launched by America which had the sheer luck of not being bombed to oblivion, an economy that needed stimulating and a leadership that was both creative and forward thinking. It was called the Marshall Plan and it jumpstarted Europe to become the powerhouse that it is today.
It is that kind of thinking that is needed in Europe now to take action aimed at the source of the problem, African nations mired in civil & religious wars and an old colonial based infrastructure being demolished by war and terror.
These African countries are not going to change to help their peoples simply by a Europe refusing refugees who they are glad to let die. It will only make things worse for all, including Europe itself.
There is seemingly no reasonable answer but I believe there must be one and it must come out of Europe...and fast.
This is neither a whining liberal thing nor is an obstinate conservative thing. It is a human condition thing. Like it or not the ball is in Europe's court and what they do will have global consequences.
2
YOu are right, but unfortunately, many of their home countries no longer exist, due to outside military interventions and tribal wars. Some of these boat people are truely desperate; others are hoping for a more comfortable life which, in general, Europe offers. The human traffic managers take advantage of this.
Europe cannot possibly care for all these men, women and children without collapsing, just as the USA can't care for the eager arrivals from Central and South America.
Realistically, why should Europe be obliged care for them all?
Perhaps it is time to send the boats back. This is not politcally correct, but might be a realistic long term strategy.
Europe cannot possibly care for all these men, women and children without collapsing, just as the USA can't care for the eager arrivals from Central and South America.
Realistically, why should Europe be obliged care for them all?
Perhaps it is time to send the boats back. This is not politcally correct, but might be a realistic long term strategy.
You have your history wrong. Germany went hungry from 1945 to 1948 and Washington was planning to turn it into a nation of rural farmers --see Wikipedia re the Morgenthau Plan and Joint Chiefs of Staff Directive 1067.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgenthau_Plan#JCS_1067
That only changed after the Venona codebreaking project tipped Washington off that Stalin was getting the nuclear bomb from spies on the Manhattan Project. Once Washington realized it would not keep the nuclear monopoly, it decided to rebuild German and Italy as bulwarks against the Soviets and their Warsaw pact. Hence, the Marshall Plan of 1948 --NOT 1945.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgenthau_Plan#JCS_1067
That only changed after the Venona codebreaking project tipped Washington off that Stalin was getting the nuclear bomb from spies on the Manhattan Project. Once Washington realized it would not keep the nuclear monopoly, it decided to rebuild German and Italy as bulwarks against the Soviets and their Warsaw pact. Hence, the Marshall Plan of 1948 --NOT 1945.
So, what's the central question? It's which strategy will minimize this uncontrolled migration into Europe. That's the strategy to follow.
19
Europe is a continent in crisis in the economic, demographic, and security spheres. It's very difficult for young people to find jobs, growth is anemic at best, and there is an enormous disconnect between children of previous migrants and the societies they've come to live in. The core stability of these societies is in jeopardy, and adding hundreds of thousands of poor, uneducated migrants will only make things worse.
The solution is not to expand asylum programs or open paths to legal immigration; it is to implement an effective border policy with the support of all 28 EU member states, particularly the wealthier ones. If military patrols of the African coast are necessary, then the EU should create a Coast Guard to rescue and repatriate migrants. The only way this will stop is when people will see that any attempt to migrate illegally will result in failure, and that the risk is not worth it.
The solution is not to expand asylum programs or open paths to legal immigration; it is to implement an effective border policy with the support of all 28 EU member states, particularly the wealthier ones. If military patrols of the African coast are necessary, then the EU should create a Coast Guard to rescue and repatriate migrants. The only way this will stop is when people will see that any attempt to migrate illegally will result in failure, and that the risk is not worth it.
114
Sure! If by "Europe", you exclude Germany, France and the UK, where, no, it is not particularly difficult for young people to find jobs and growth is not anemic. The idea that the "core stability" of these countries is in "jeopardy" is absurd melodrama from someone who sounds, with all respect, like they have never set foot on the continent in question.
4
Unemployment rate for 16+ Year olds is 2 million in UK. There are many unemployed people coming to the UK from Italy, Spain, and Greece. The UK has already has 500,000 Polish people living and working there, up from 75,000 in 2003. There might be growth in some businesses and industries, but many regions of the UK are hurting and the population is getting sick and tired of migrants, immigrants, asylum seeks, and refugees. See the rise in popularity of UKIP UK Independence Party, and the calls to leave the EU.
5
Every Nation has to make a promise to it's citizen, every generation should achieve the same standards of living as their ancestors, there should be at least the same level of social security and a cultural heritage.
You americans are fighting for this, and you do it merciless. Most european countries have some ugly experiences with the immigrants, france has thwarted five intended terror plots since Charlie Hebdo, militarized has become an everyday picture in public places - in the middle of europe.
This is not just about jobs or economy, this is about our freedom and safety.
You americans are fighting for this, and you do it merciless. Most european countries have some ugly experiences with the immigrants, france has thwarted five intended terror plots since Charlie Hebdo, militarized has become an everyday picture in public places - in the middle of europe.
This is not just about jobs or economy, this is about our freedom and safety.
3
and so far, where is someone asking on the US responsibility on migrant crisis? Doesn't anyone, with a little sense, would ask on the effects of the US having pushed Egypt, Libya, Syria and Tunis into political instability with so called "springs?" Better, let's just get ready for new moves from Yemen, Armenia et. al.
13
Believe me, Americans have had their share of refugees from Somalia, Syria, etc. forced down our throats already. The Boston bombers were supposed refugees who lived off of U.S. taxpayers while planning to kill us.
8
Migration is beautiful.
When it comes to Canadian geese, or Monarch butterflies, it sure is. Swarms of troublesome humans, not so much.
3
This is a massive problem, and will be a real test of the EU as a functional source of governance. There are no good options for the EU. They have to choose between pursuing this as a criminal assault on what they can bear in terms of migrants, providing extensive humanitarian services, and confronting the reasons people are fleeing the Mid East and North Africa.
Somehow, they'll have to prioritize their humanitarian responsibilities to the world with their financial responsibilities to Europeans. My hope is that a cost-benefit analysis would put the humanitarian efforts at the top of priorities, but I don't know if it would. Still, the Europeans will have to push back somehow.
Somehow, they'll have to prioritize their humanitarian responsibilities to the world with their financial responsibilities to Europeans. My hope is that a cost-benefit analysis would put the humanitarian efforts at the top of priorities, but I don't know if it would. Still, the Europeans will have to push back somehow.
14
How will shaky economies continue this extremely expensive effort? Will they cut services to their own citizens? What if those migrants then refuse to adopt the civic requirements of their host countries, which has been the chief complaint about them? When in Rome, do as the Romans--no exceptions.
31
It sure would be nice if the Arab League stepped up and assisted the EU with this problem. There'd have to be some room for collaboration there.
33
Given the billions of poor people in Africa and Asia, to say that the solution is for Europe to take more people in is meaningless. The maximum number they would take would be a drop in the bucket. They'd end up spending hundreds of thousands on Euros on a typical immigrant family of four who did not speak their language or never attended high school at home on education, healthcare and other government paid benefits. Those lucky immigrants would probably be able to bring in their family members still abroad, too, thereby increasing the cost to the countries that took them in and further limiting the number of foreign families helped over the long term.
Any "solution" will have to focus on the traffickers and what is going on in the home country. People should be directed to safe areas near their countries so they can return home when wars are over. The ones who are allowed in Europe will have to be mostly restricted to those whose lives are truly in danger for the long term.
Europe should focus on the potential costs if they do not greatly step up their self-protection efforts. For that is what they are: by stopping the trafficking they are helping themselves as well as the people from overseas in those boats or taking an overland route.
Any "solution" will have to focus on the traffickers and what is going on in the home country. People should be directed to safe areas near their countries so they can return home when wars are over. The ones who are allowed in Europe will have to be mostly restricted to those whose lives are truly in danger for the long term.
Europe should focus on the potential costs if they do not greatly step up their self-protection efforts. For that is what they are: by stopping the trafficking they are helping themselves as well as the people from overseas in those boats or taking an overland route.
72
"People should be directed to safe areas near their countries so they can return home when wars are over."
Well, in a perfect world, I suppose that would work... but you only have to look at a map to see that the only "safe areas" within 500 miles of Libya are in Greece and Italy.
Well, in a perfect world, I suppose that would work... but you only have to look at a map to see that the only "safe areas" within 500 miles of Libya are in Greece and Italy.
6
To make this Italians responsibility or the EU is quixotic at best. There is a legal process for immigration. If the immigrants choose to come in unseaworthy boats illegally "caveat Emptor". There is no way to police a open sea and the real issue for immigration rights activists is not to send them back, but to allow them all in.
Many parts of Europe the primary population is no longer the majority with attendant ills of decreased productivity and nationalist backlash.
A view to the future is Obama's attempt to institutionalize the illegal immigration in the U.S and offer amnesty.
E.U. you're next !
Many parts of Europe the primary population is no longer the majority with attendant ills of decreased productivity and nationalist backlash.
A view to the future is Obama's attempt to institutionalize the illegal immigration in the U.S and offer amnesty.
E.U. you're next !
39
"Europe’s Migration Crisis Cannot Be Solved at Sea"
Yes it can! Station European warships outside the likely ports or embarkation and turn around any ship that has "migrants" on board. Perhaps arresting the captain and the crew and putting them in jail for a very long time may also help.
Yes it can! Station European warships outside the likely ports or embarkation and turn around any ship that has "migrants" on board. Perhaps arresting the captain and the crew and putting them in jail for a very long time may also help.
86
The Migration crisis is the result of the NATO intervention in Libya against former president Gaddafi. There are always talks about the mayhem that the Bush brigade created after their Iraqi adventure. But noone talks about the disaster that the NATO has caused in Libya and Western Africa.
Libya is now a heaven for terrorists, the weapons that Gaddafi spent Billions buying from the West and Russia are destabilizing countries from Mali to the Central African Republic, to Nigeria .
Human trafickers are using the power vacuum to send people to their deaths in the Mediteranean.
Libya was a stable country under Gaddafi, a leader who didn't like the West, got killed by a European lead NATO operation. Now Europe is paying the price.
But let's point the fingers at Iran as the most destabilizing force in the world, it's make us feel good.
Libya is now a heaven for terrorists, the weapons that Gaddafi spent Billions buying from the West and Russia are destabilizing countries from Mali to the Central African Republic, to Nigeria .
Human trafickers are using the power vacuum to send people to their deaths in the Mediteranean.
Libya was a stable country under Gaddafi, a leader who didn't like the West, got killed by a European lead NATO operation. Now Europe is paying the price.
But let's point the fingers at Iran as the most destabilizing force in the world, it's make us feel good.
27
No, the migration crisis is the direct result of Western scientific agriculture and medicine, which has led to drastic overpopulation in Africa. And yet we continue the efforts to increase this specific problem, in the name of humanitarianism.
27
@longue carabine. Wrong. The subject matter here is the surge in Migration, not Poverty.
Poverty is not something new in that part of the world. What is new, is the Surge of Migrants from Libya. And that has began since the Overthrow of Gaddafi. Why don't those boats sail from Morocco or any other Northen African countries? Why Libya? If not for the lack of a powerful Central Government?
Poverty is not something new in that part of the world. What is new, is the Surge of Migrants from Libya. And that has began since the Overthrow of Gaddafi. Why don't those boats sail from Morocco or any other Northen African countries? Why Libya? If not for the lack of a powerful Central Government?
4
Finally, someone said it !!!