What the heck is going on in the Middle East?

What do you mean by “lately”? As in the past few months? You’re probably aware of the Arab Spring movement that began in Tunisia in the summer of 2010. That movement has spread throughout the Middle East to Egypt in January, Yemen, Libya, and as of last spring, Syria. The goal of all of these movements is to overthrow dictatorial leaders and regimes. Many of the protesters are being attacked by the military and government of their own countries and as a result several of them are forced to flee or be killed. This is especially true of Syria. However, most of these refugees are seeking asylum in Europe or other neighboring countries, not many are able (or want to) make it all the way to the United States. I don’t really think there’s a significant increase of immigration from the Middle East, I just think that since 2001 more people have taken notice of the Arab, Muslim, and Middle Eastern population here in America.

If you have specific examples or questions I can try to give a better answer! :)

I haven’t noticed a big increase? But, I don’t know the stats. Growing up I knew many people from the middle east, that was back in the early 80’s in America. Sure the numbers are getting bigger in the US, but it doesn’t seem to me the migration flow is increasing particularly.

I had heard Christians were leaving Iraq and Turkey again, because they were not feeling safe. But, Christian emigration out of the middle east has been happening for a long time on and off. look at Lebonan, used to be a majority Christian, now they are in the minority, partly because they simply left the country. Some came to North America, I assume some went to Europe also.

There’s always so much turmoil and conflict going on in the Middle East, that when I read your question, I was like “Huh?! There’s ALWAYS something going on in the Middle East!” But if you’re referring to immigration, I haven’t noticed much——it’s about the same as the immigration of people from other parts of the world, like the Phillipines, Europe, etc.

Anytime America’s military is occupying another country plenty of situations occur. The rich obtain visa’s to the U.S.A, American soldiers marry and bring their wife to the U.S.A, and they have refugee’s too.

You will find all the data you want on US immigration here.

I think the young people are tired of being oppressed by an old privileged class. The same thing is happening in the U.S. Of course if they replace their old dictators with a religion based government, they are just replacing on oppressor for another what will eventually be even worse, look at Iran’s example.