Iraqi refugee catastrophe

One of the world’s largest refugee crises is underway in theMiddle East. It has been going on for the last four years, but judging by the scant attention the issue receives inWashington DC, London and in the Western media, you wouldn’t think so. I’m referring to the Iraqi refugee crisis. According to UN figures there are an estimated 1.6 millionIraqis internally displaced, 750,000 in neighboring Jordan,1.4 million plus in Syria, 80,000 in Egypt, and 30,000 inLebanon. In all fairness to the media, the Iraqi refugee crisis inJordan has garnered token attention, but the equally pressing situation in Syria has not. As for Jordan, the influx of Iraqis to Syria has been a double-edged sword. Initially the Iraqis that fled were middle to upper class, bringing with them life savings that were duly invested in property, setting up businesses and making a home away from home. But as the situation in