Political Issues
Over the last year and a half, Europe has experienced a significant migration and refugee crisis as increasing numbers of people have fled conflict and poverty in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, South Asia, and elsewhere. More than 1 million refugees and migrants sought to enter the EU in 2015, and over 90% were from the world’s top 10 refugee producing countries. Greece was the major arrival point for refugees crossing the Mediterranean Sea. Italy also saw a significant number of migrants and refugees. Many people arriving in Greece attempted to cross the Western Balkans in an effort to reach gateway countries, such as Hungary and Slovenia. From there, they traveled toward northern EU members, such as Germany and Sweden, where they believed they were more likely to receive a haven and better welfare benefits.
Since 2014, Europe has experienced a number of terrorist incidents and the cause of these threats and attacks is the increasing number of refugees and migrants coming from other countries. They have a large influence in all the attacks. Southern Europe has a heightened terrorist threat because their countries are gateway countries and they experience the most free movement.
- Greek debt crisis
- Migration refugee crisis
- Heightened terrorism threat
Over the last year and a half, Europe has experienced a significant migration and refugee crisis as increasing numbers of people have fled conflict and poverty in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, South Asia, and elsewhere. More than 1 million refugees and migrants sought to enter the EU in 2015, and over 90% were from the world’s top 10 refugee producing countries. Greece was the major arrival point for refugees crossing the Mediterranean Sea. Italy also saw a significant number of migrants and refugees. Many people arriving in Greece attempted to cross the Western Balkans in an effort to reach gateway countries, such as Hungary and Slovenia. From there, they traveled toward northern EU members, such as Germany and Sweden, where they believed they were more likely to receive a haven and better welfare benefits.
Since 2014, Europe has experienced a number of terrorist incidents and the cause of these threats and attacks is the increasing number of refugees and migrants coming from other countries. They have a large influence in all the attacks. Southern Europe has a heightened terrorist threat because their countries are gateway countries and they experience the most free movement.