As More Immigrants Arrive, Some Britons Want to Show Them and E.U. the Door

What are the consequences of Britain leaving the bloc or Brexit? Why does this affect immigrants in Britain? How do immigrants contribute to the force labor in Britain?

Immigrants, mostly from Eastern Europe, are traveling to Britain for job opportunities. In Boston, England, the workers are dressed like prisoners in orange clothing, pick up kale, work a long day and afterwards return to camp that is surrounded by barbed wire and security fences, are paid the minimum wage, and are required to have their fingerprints scanned before entering the farm. Their employer is Staples Vegetables, which supplies supermarkets in Britain and Europe.Immigrants from Eastern Europe are allowed to travel to Britain because Britain is a part of the European Union (EU). These immigrants are legally in Britain because of the European Union’s principle of freedom movement and labor. This issue is important because on June 23^rd of this year, the country decide to stay in the EU.  Many foreigners are going to Britain because Britain has a generous welfare system, which “attracts” migration. On the one side of the debate, is Prime Minister David Cameron, who is listening to the concerns of the Britons by trying to put restriction on benefits that workers from other EU countries can claim in Britain. On the contrary, George Osborne, the chancellor of Exchequer, wants to increase the minimum wage, which would increase migration to Britain. Some people are upset that these foreigners are taking over by taking jobs and receiving the social welfare benefits, while the foreigners are afraid that they will have to return home and leave behind the life they constructed in Britain.

            In the beginning, I was a supporter of Britain leaving the bloc or Brexit. However, my opinion has changed after reading this article. These immigrants are working in horrible conditions and are being treated like prisoners. Additionally, these immigrants receive minimum wage for this hard labor. In the agriculture business, its tough. You have to deal with a lot of things, but the most important one is that its hard labor, imagine how your back feels at the end of a day picking produce? These workers are receiving housing, but its in a camp with barbed wires and security fences. Why so much security? They are not prisoners, they are workers. When I read that a native Briton complained that there were to many immigrants and wanted his town to go back to the way it was; I was disgusted. It reminded me of all the people that are in support of Trump and his big wall idea. These immigrants are not doing any harm. They are working for cheap labor so that people in Britain and the EU can have cheap produce. Additionally, these immigrants are spending their money in Britain since they live there. I was saddened to hear a story of an immigrant who had a taxi company, but since he is a foreigner, he does not know if he has to leave his company behind if Britain decides to leave the EU. Some Britons sound like they are afraid of outsiders. Its ridiculous. I could maybe understand in the economically sense that the immigrants are benefiting from the welfare system. However, these immigrants are going for jobs as well. There are also lazy Britons living off of the generous welfare system. Most immigrants move to places because they want a better life and to find a job because maybe they have to send money back home. I am appalled to see how all these developed countries like the US and Britain be so cold? It’s the humanitarian thing to help the people in need. If Britain wants to stop migration, it needs to help the less-developed nations. I am very curious to know the outcome of the June 23 referendum.

Syria’s government says it has driven the Islamic State out of Palmyra

Is the Syrian government captivity of Palmyra a step forward for the Syrian government? Why is Palmyra so important?

On Sunday March 27, 2016, the Syrian government seized the Palmyra, a UNESCO world heritage site known for its Roman-era ruins, from the Islamic State also known as ISIS. The Syrian government were able to do this thanks to the Russian’s help. The Russians withdrew troops, but Russian warplanes stayed in Syria. Putin, the Russian President, called al-Assad, the Syrian President, to congratulate him on this victory. “Taking the city helps clear a path for pro-government forces to possibly push on to Raqqa, the city in eastern Syria that is the Islamic State’s self-declared capital”. The Syrian state-run television reports the pro-government forces victory and eliminating ISIS from Palmyra. However, and activist and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, state that even though many of the ISIS’s militants withdrew, there are still clashes in the northeastern part of Palmyra. ISIS have destroyed many historical monuments just like Palmyra. The recapture of Palmyra means that ISIS is weakening in Iraq and Syria by Assad fighters and U.S.-backed Kurdish and Arab forces. Syrian has received support from both Russia and United States even though they are supporting different sides of this conflict, but share the same enemy, which are the Islamic State.

The Syrian Civil War is one of the most confusing conflicts. For example, my above statement, Russia and the United States fought the same enemy even though for their own different reason. The United States are supporting the Kurds and some Arab forces from the rebels, while Russia support pro-Assad fighters. Both, US and Russia, have an interest for ISIS to go down. This was supposing to be an Arab Spring uprising; the people rebelled against the dictator and wanted democracy. However, it looks more now like a proxy war because this conflict brought regional and global power. Its really hard for other countries to stay away. For example, this Syrian conflict has created a lot of Syrian refugees to migrate especially to Europe and other countries near by. These migrations are changing the dynamic of the country; for example, some countries do not have the resources and the money to maintain all these new comers? Religion is also involved in this war. On the Shia side are the Syrian government, Iran, and Russia  support and the other side are the rebels, the Gulf states supporting, and Turkey, on the Sunni side. Additionally, there is ISIS who have strong Islamic beliefs and have strong ideas against Western ideologies and lifestyle. There are many reasons now for this conflict than what it originally was intended. 

The recapture of Palmyra means Hope for the Syrian government, but it can also just mean just a battle won. I believe ISIS is intelligent enough to know to back down, when it is outnumbered. Come on now, the US trained some of the ISIS members. The whole Syrian conflict is saddening because innocent people are dying and there is a lot of destruction just like in Palmyra. This Syrian conflict is become very confusing with many different reason toward this chaos. Its time people start looking for peace and making agreements.

Thoughts on the landing of Air Force One in Havana

Why is the Obama family visit to Cuba such an important event? What historical context is involved? Why is this event relevant today and what does the Obama visit mean?

            This historical event of the Obama’s visiting Cuba is important because it is opening door for both sides. However, the Cuban population are divided on the Obama visit. Some Cubans fear and are “overwhelmed by the Colossus from the North” and believe that the USA will try to interfere in the countries affairs. Additionally, Cubans are worried that the something could go wrong, for example, Obama having a misinterpretation of the Cuban history. The other side, the majority side, are excited about the visit and believe this visit could benefit the country. If the trip successful, there will be more tourism, trade between both countries, and travel freely among both countries. These Cubans view the economic prosperity of having relations with the USA. If there is trade, Cuba can get some of the popular U.S. brand products; if these is U.S. investment, there will be good jobs and better wages jobs. Obama’s visit is being contained and controlled by the Cuban government. There would be no large outdoor speech, but a small one with hand-picked people in the audience.  Obama can meet with local entrepreneurs, however, it has to be private. Feinberg discusses that President Obama was the right President to visit Cuba because he is humble, respectful, and sense of irony. The prediction of this visit is that it will be successful.

            The historical context is very important for analyzing the meaning of Obama’s visit to Cuba because of the Cold War. Cuba allied with the Soviet Union and had missiles directed to the USA. There is also the tension over democracy vs. communism. USA showed its imperialist power in history especially in Latin America. For example, in El Salvador civil war was a Communist Party trying to overthrow the Salvadorian government. The United States intervened by aiding the government to stop the spread of Communism. The USA wanted to prevent another Cuba in Latin America.  I understand the fear of some of the Cubans that believe that the USA will be this imperialist country that will try to control them. History has shown that the USA tend to do that; for example, the creation of the Panama Canal. The USA built the Panama Canal because it benefited the USA. I just hope that history can stay history and these two countries can move forward. I feel like both countries can benefit. Cuba would be able to invest with a great power like the USA. The USA will not be left behind on world invest and affairs because it is trying to amend relations with Cuba. I also truly believe Obama was the best President to go to Cuba. He is very humble and being a minority, he can relate to the people. Overall, I also predict relations with the USA and Cuba will improve.