When I say “we” I mean mankind.
Right now in Europe there’s a flood of Syrian refugees entering the various countries, most through Hungary via Turkey.
There’s more than just Syrians, though – lots of African countries, Iraqis, Afghanis, and God knows who else.
Yes, it’s a mess.
Four days ago The Atlantic reported that 4 million Syrian refugees have been created since the Syrian war started in March 2011.
Today the Guardian had a story that told of Hungary transporting 2,000 refugees by train to the border with Austria and dumping them there.
We already know that Hungary is building a huge fence with Serbia to keep the people out. The border is 110 miles long.
Let’s look at the map, as I think the major stimulus for World War III will come in this area.
The red portion is the current crisis, and Hungary is closing off that border with Serbia.
When that is completely closed we’ll see the refugees flood the western border with Croatia (blue) and the northern section of the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina (orange).
Geography plays a large part in it, especially the mountains.
The border with Serbia is their only hope as the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina is just too mountainous.
All directions are too mountainous, in fact, and that’s like cornering a rat – it’ll fight.
Their social services are being overwhelmed, and in a country that simply can’t afford it. Is it any wonder they’re lashing out?
There are 26 countries in the EU that have gotten rid of passport checks at borders. Nothing is stopping these refugees but the Hungarians.
Germany has had 70,000 refugees enter their country this month alone. The country is now expecting 1 million by the end of the year.
There are currently 1.1 million Syrian refugees living in camps in Lebanon and it’s estimated that ISIS is infiltrating these.
Britain just announced it’ll be taking 20,000 refugees from those camps.
David Cameron is also giving £100 million in additional aid. They’ve already spent £1 billion since the Syrian war started in March 2011.
Other countries have also given:
- Germany: £633 million
- Saudi Arabia £387 million
- France £70 million.
The US has given $4 billion in financial aid to the Syrian refugee crisis, typically to organizations that are trying to help.
The US will also be taking in 70,000 refugees this year, though just 1,500 are Syrian.
We need to begin exploring more options, and Europe should be leading this discussion. Since Germany is the strongest economy, they need to step up.
I’m not sure that will happen, however.
I’m not at all confident that this situation will get better before it gets worse.
It’s going to get bumpy – hang on.