Migration as a geopolitical weapon? How powerful a force in international relations?

Quote from Athena

In this speech*, the speaker discusses the weaponization of irregular migration flows by the Belarus regime. They highlight how Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko attempted to use asylum seekers to rush the EU's Eastern Frontier, targeting Lithuania and Poland. Lukashenko lured individuals from Iraq, Africa, and Syria with single entry visas to Minsk, with the promise of entry into Germany. The Belarusian regime forced a confrontation with border guards to create panic and division within the EU over migration issues. However, the EU responded robustly and developed new tools for stemming the flows in cooperation with third countries.


The speaker emphasizes that while this phenomenon may seem new to Europeans, it has occurred multiple times before. They argue that it is crucial to understand this phenomenon deeply to prevent migrants from being used as negotiating chips in the future. The speaker introduces Professor Kellyanne Greenhill as an expert on this topic and discusses her book, Weapons of Mass Migration, which comprehensively documents this phenomenon. They also mention that Greenhill has advised international organizations and governments on this issue. The conversation aims to deepen understanding and find ways to address and prevent the instrumentalization of migration flows.


*Organized by ICMPD

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