Managing causes of the refugee crisis is most important

Richard N. Haass says the US has a strategic interest and a responsibility to help Europe contend with the expanding migrant crisis

The Chinese often point out that, in their language, the character for crisis and opportunity are one and the same. But, while it is indeed true that crisis and opportunity often go hand in hand, it is difficult to see much opportunity in Europe’s current circumstances.

One reason the current situation facing Europe is so difficult is that it was so unexpected. Here we are, 70 years after the end of the Second World War, a quarter-century after the end of the Cold War, and some two decades after the Balkan wars, and suddenly Europe’s political, economic, and strategic future seems much more uncertain than anyone predicted as recently as a year ago.