The Pew Research Center is reporting that a record number of refugees sought asylum in Europe last year–1.3 million. About half of these refugees come from three countries: Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. Germany, Hungary, and Sweden were the three most sought after places of refuge. The influx of refugees is causing serious political problems in Europe: a backlash against them is fueling the rise of nationalist and xenophobic parties which will unquestionably destabilize the political systems in Europe.
Soon after Iran released 4 American hostages last January, the Obama Administration sent $400 million to Iran as part of a legal compensation claim that had been festering since 1979. Many believe that the money was “ransom” for the release of the hostages, something the US vehemently denies. There is little question that the compensation claim has been a point of contention between the US and Iran for many years and that Iran was due the money. But the timing certainly looks more than coincidental. The critical question is whether this incident becomes fixed in the minds of others as a bargaining lever in future disputes over possible hostages. That question is impossible to answer.
Rodrigo Duterte became President of the Philippines last May. Duterte, who goes by the nickname “The Punisher”, vowed to smash the drug rings that have been operating in the country. Since his election, more than 600 people have been killed on suspicion of being drug dealers. The assassinations have all been conducted without the pretense of any due process and human rights activists are enraged by the conduct of the government.
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