New Publication: The Syrian Refugee Crisis and Global Security Threats – A Case Study of Germany

By: AHMAD BARAKAT

The arrival of a substantial number of Syrian refugees in Europe elicited xenophobic apprehension in some nations. Syrian refugees have become widely linked to issues of security, violence, and crime as well being seen as a danger to social cohesion and jobs. They are occasionally perceived as constituting a threat from terrorism or insurrection (Crone, 2017). The aim of this study is thus to expand our

understanding of the perceived connections between Syrian refugees and global security in order to investigate the assertions that Syrian refugees pose a threat to global security. Through a case study of Germany, using descriptive statistical analysis, the study reassesses the threat of Syrian refugees to global security between 2015-2020. The study is timely as millions of people are displaced around the world and the numbers of refugees are increasing because of wars, disasters, and climate change. The study is important as it questions the validity of claims that can have negative effects on host communities’ perception of Syrian refugees.

Ahmad Barakat is a visiting lecturer in Middle East Politics at the University of Birmingham. His research examines the political economy in the Middle East. Ahmad’s work has appeared in a number of leading journals such as Oxford, Routledge, and the Center for Syrian Studies at the University of St. Andrews. More broadly, he is interested in the politics and diplomacy of the Middle East. Ahmad completed his Ph.D. in Political Science and International Studies at the University of Birmingham. He is a former Syrian diplomat and a human rights expert.