Today, Explained Belarus manufactures a migrant crisis
Nov 16, 2021
In this conversation, Amy McKinnon, a national security reporter at Foreign Policy, reveals the dark underbelly of the migrant crisis orchestrated by Belarus. She discusses how the Belarusian authorities are using migrants as pawns against the EU, leading to dire conditions at the border. Amy highlights the extreme hardships faced by refugees, trapped in a perilous limbo. The podcast also explores the EU's complex response to this crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for solidarity among member states.
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Syrian Refugee's Story
- A Syrian man from Aleppo, seeking refuge, traveled through Libya and Belarus, hoping to reach Europe.
- Stranded in the freezing woods for over a month, he witnessed children dying from cold, lack of food, and water.
Lukashenko's Motivation
- Belarus's President, Alexander Lukashenko, orchestrates the migrant crisis to exploit the EU's vulnerability regarding migration.
- This is retaliation against EU sanctions imposed after Belarus's contested 2020 election and subsequent crackdown on protests.
Poland's Reaction
- Poland's response involves deploying troops and border guards to prevent migrants from entering.
- The ruling Law and Justice party exploits the crisis to advance its nationalist agenda, capitalizing on anti-immigrant sentiment.