Europe & Its Migration Dilemma

Migrants come to shore at Zefyros beach on the Greek island of Rhodes after their sailboat capsized on April 20. Most of the migrants managed to swim safely to the beach with the assistance of locals.

Europe should take the lead in trying to tackle the issue of illegal migration. The best approach that I can see is for her to embark alongside regional and international partners on launching a variety of peacekeeping missions in a number of conflict and disaster- stricken zones. Such approach, and while initially controversial and bound to raise accusations of neocolonialism in certain circles, will prove far more cost-effective on the long run in both material and humanitarian terms than the current policy of indifference and inaction, or a futile policy of trying to police the shores.

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Killers, Cowards and Charlatans

On March 15, 2011, the Syrian street was divided between those who wanted freedom and those who kept opting for security at all costs. This cartoon shows why liberty is a much better idea, for all the risks it brings.

At the beginning of the Syrian revolution there were many millions who wanted to oust Assad, and many who wanted him to stay. Each group motivated by their own concerns, most of which were pretty legitimate. The systematic violence unleashed by Assad and his supporters, and the lies they perpetrated to get support for this policy from their sympathizers paved the path to where we are today. Nonviolence could not continue to work in the face of such mass and systematic violence, coupled with international indifference and opposition ineptitude.

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More Lies & Manipulation

Followers of the Shi'ite Houthi group pray during a rally to denounce fuel price hikes and to demand for the resignation of the government in Sanaa, Yemen, Aug. 22, 2014. — Followers of the Shi’ite Houthi group pray during a rally to denounce fuel price hikes and to demand for the resignation of the government in Sanaa, Yemen, Aug. 22, 2014.

I see: Iranian officials are not involved in directing the Houthis because the latter follow a different branch of Shiism. Indeed. Did such a difference, by the way, prevent these officials from taking over command and control in Syria? Or from playing host to members of Al-Qaeda who actually call for the extermination of all Shia? What sort of logic is this really?

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A World Without Genocide

There will still be crime and criminal activities: some as old as civilization (e.g., prostitution and human trafficking), some new in form if not essence (e.g., cybercrime). There will still natural disasters, social upheaval, family breakups, poverty and assassinations. There will even still be a need for a limited military action in one hapless part of the world or another.

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