Europe's migrant crisis dims once unassailable Merkel's aura

In Stefan Wagstyl’s web article “Europe’s migrant crisis dims once unassailable Merkel’s aura” he contends that Merkel’s popularity in Germany and abroad is paying a heavy toll due to her stance on the migrant crisis. Wagstyl develops his argument first by, alluding to recent unexpected opposition to Merkel; he then supports his stance with the recent status of the countries Austria and Macedonia who have begun to close their borders to migrants; and to conclude he strengthens his position by referencing the recent upsurge in votes for the rightwing populist Alternative for Germany party. His purpose is to expose the challenges that Merkel is facing at home and abroad in order to emphasize that her once inextinguishable popularity is waning. He seems to have a right wing conservative audience in mind because he emphasizes an increase in right wing fueled activity across the European Union.

Work Cited

Wagstyl, Stefan, and Alex Barker. "Europe's Migrant Crisis Dims Once Unassailable Merkel's Aura." Financial Times. N.p., 15 Mar. 2016. Web. 15 Mar. 2016. <http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e2a25f54-e784-11e5-ac45-5c039e797d1c.html#axzz4337JnDoD>.

Europe in over its head

Summary

The political cartoon by Dan Wasserman is portraying the European commission failing to take immediate action in response to the migrant crisis. The foreground of the cartoon displays three individuals that represent the commission are portrayed as perplexed on what action to take and how said action needs to be taken if taken at all. The background and foreground display washed up bodies of migrants and a capsized ship leaving many migrants drowning  reaching their hands out for aid.

Analysis

The cartoon portrays a baffled European Commission as they try  to deal with the European migrant crisis. One of the most important sections of the cartoon are the three individuals that form the European Commission and the statements they are making: “Should we address this at our next meeting?” this alludes to the Commission's reluctance to  quickly address the issue, “We’d need support from all 28 nations” is alluding to a reluctance in trying to cooperate with all the  European Union member states, and “We can ask for a show of hands.” represents the disorganized manner of which the commission looks to take action.  The other important sections are the middle-ground and background that allude to the many migrants that have perished trying to reach the shores of Europe, but as a whole the migrants represent the crisis as a whole. The most striking feature  is how calm the commission people seem to be as they stand amongst the lifeless migrant bodies and look on as many  migrants are seemingly drowning reaching out for assistance, this represents the complacent nature of commission in wake of the crisis. This connects to the idea that as the crisis ensues the European commission has failed to bring the European Union together in taking a single unified action in dealing with the crisis. A failure to take action has raised doubt in the true integrity of the European Union itself. Such a failure to take action poses as a threat to both the European Union and unfortunately the thousands of migrants caught in a political and social limbo.

Work Cited

Wasserman, Dan. "Europe Faces Waves of Refugees." Boston Globe. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Mar. 2016. <https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2015/04/21/editorial-cartoon-europe-faces-waves-refugees/QvFojPxi3LWsFcO3bdia1I/story.html>

"60 million refugees: a crisis that has outgrown its 65 year old solution" Op Ed Analysis

In the article "60 million refugees: a crisis that has outgrown its 65 year old solution" written by Prince El Hassan bin Talal the problems with the legal international framework designed to deal with refugees are outlined and solutions are elaborated on. The article describes how out of date the policy's established in the 1951 refugees convention are and how countries have very little to benefit from refugees. Several answers are advocated by the author such as: short term migration, safe havens, and localized regulatory arrangements.

El Hassan argues that the policies established at the 1951 refugees convention are no longer suitable for the refugee crisis of today. Too many problems are entailed such as how refugees are properly defined and the incentives provided for host nations; it is further elaborated on that if such countries do not receive ideal incentive that they a way to circumvent their duties like Australia that wants to process migrants off shore "essentially outsourcing it's convention obligations". Hassan uses these problems to strengthen his argument that current legal framework is just not enough, but to further develop his argument he retorts several ways to resolve the issue in ways that are good for refugees and host countries. Most importantly he advocates the benefits of short term migration, in such as scnerio the refugees would enter a host country with the full intention of returning home once the crisis is over, but while they are in the host country they would "absorb civic and institutional norms" and bring them to their countries. In this way El Hassan resolves issues for both parties, and drives his point that there are other options available. After describing several answers El Hassan ends his article with a strong emotion driven call to action based on the ideas of "human dignity, the right to live with freedom and without fear, and empathy for humankind" this solidifies his article his stance as not only humanitarian but also sound and sensible. 

Thoreau Argumentative Editorial

Henry David Thoreau is a Transcendentalist writer from Concord, Massachusetts, his book “Walden” describes his life in relative seclusion on Walden Pond and what he learns. Thoreau believes in simple sufficient living, self improvement, and possesses a condescending perspective on society. His word choice of “Renew thyself completely each day” and “we do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us” reflect his ideas on society and the individual.

Thoreau’s ideas are the needed panacea for the many ills of contemporary society, if taken in small doses they could be very effective. Contemporary life is full of many unnecessary advancements that impact people negatively, such as television that emphasizes an indoor lifestyle. If people began to live simpler lives little by little like Thoreau then they too could “live deep and suck the marrow of life” as he does. Meaning that people could enjoy a life like it is meant to be lived; carefree, without superficial luxuries, focused on improving oneself, and becoming better people; instead of being wrapped up in superficial society.

The argument that Thoreau’s ideas are not applicable in modern society could be brought up, but this is not true. Thoreau himself used the railroad as an aspect of society that has dominance and control over people, not vice versa like most people assume; the railroad example can be swapped for multiple contemporary examples, cars, planes, and even the internet. Also people being frustrated with their lives has always occurred, Thoreau’s philosophy of simplicity is a product of Thoreau suffering in a “superficial society” himself.

Humanity over complicate their lives, a simple life like the Thoreau pursued for two years is the best for the spirit. Taking time to be with yourself, and learning from this lifestyle would improve the lives of people everywhere.

"Refugee Crisis: Turkey 'can take no more' as Syrian refugees fleeing Russian-backed offensive build up on border"

Summary

In the Independent article “Refugee crisis: Turkey 'can take no more' as Syrian refugees fleeing Russian-backed offensive build up on border”(07 February 2016) by Laura Pitel and Tony Paterson it is explained in great detail that since the beginning of the European migrant crisis Turkey has been overrun with migrants attempting to escape from the fighting in their homelands, but the country is beginning to reach its full capacity. The article refocuses attention on German Chancellor Angela Merkel to emphasize the possible root cause of the crisis in the first place, she will be traveling to Turkey on Monday to try to ease tensions. Meanwhile the article describes a recent development with eyewitness reports: refugees have begun to build up on the Turkish-Syrian border north of Aleppo where a Russian backed offensive has displaced around 35,000 thousand people.
AnalysisThe article describes the rising tensions between Turkey, the European Union, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel due to a recent development in Aleppo, Syria; the writers take a neutral stance on the matter. Turkey has “exhausted its capacity to absorb” as a fresh wave of migrants hope to cross its borders, a recent Russian backed military offensive in the nearby city of Aleppo is to blame for this specific wave of migrants. The focus is then moved to Angela Merkels visit to Turkey where she hopes to “gain Ankara's help” in dealing with the crisis, this is a midst internal strife in Europe that revolves around the belief that she has “lost control of the situation” whether this criticism will lead to action against her administration is currently unknown. The point of view is then moved to the migrants themselves in order to give readers a different perspective; a testimony is provided from a credible source to not only strengthen the text but to also have a greater impact on the reader; Syrian doctor Dr. Osama Abo el-Ezz talks about the living conditions of the refugees. He describes that “they are hungry, they are sleeping on the ground”, unfortunately as of now their future continues to look bleak as fighting continues, and Europe fails to make decisions. The article in total not only implies that the events in Aleppo will continue to complicate things for the European Union and Turkey but also that as of now, there seems to be no end in sight to the crisis.  
 Pitel, Laura, and Tony Paterson. "Refugee Crisis: Turkey 'can Take No More' as Syrian Refugees Fleeing Russian-backed Offensive Build up on Border." The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media. Web. 08 Feb. 2016. <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/refugee-crisis-turkey-can-take-no-more-as-syrian-refugees-fleeing-russian-backed-offensive-build-up-a6859681.html>. 

• 
  

Current Events Journal "Europeans remove welcome mat for migrants"

Summary

In the midst of hordes of Syrian Immigrants flooding into Europe: European nations are taking measures in hope of stunting further migration. Countries like Denmark and Sweden have either passed laws to prevent immigration or have found themselves overwhelmed by immigrants and forced to deport people back to their home countries. This is due to many countries lacking the infrastructure to support so many new immigrants: yet in spite of this, there has been so specific strategy taken by the EU.

Analysis

Boyle has stated that "more than 1 million refugees and migrants are believed to have traveled to Europe this year” : in the past, European countries were open to taking the immigrants as refugees, but recently the same countries have begun to pass bills to deter further migration. The laws have been passed because countries are being overwhelmed by migrants that their infrastructure cannot withstand, and issues of safety have been raised adding to the laundry list of Europe's leaders. Officials have stated that “Leaders don't want to go through another year of high levels [of migration] when they don't know if security can handle it, [or if[ their infrastructure can handle it”. While Boyle says that they have some good reason for wanting to stunt the flow of migrants, he emphasizes the lack of unity in the EU and their failure to create a unified front in dealing with the situation.

Citation

Boyle, Christina. "Europeans Remove Welcome Mat for Migrants." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2016. Web. 31 Jan. 2016. <http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-europe-migrants-20160131-story.html>.