Editors’ Note

The plight of international refugees and the questions of migration have taken on a highly politicized light across the world as the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs team completes this issue in November 2015. In the face of uncertainty and fear, paranoia and suspicion, the journal recognizes how its mission to advance knowledge and encourage dialogue on issues large and small takes on a greater importance when concerning migration.

There are 4,289,792 refugees from the Syrian Civil War as of November 17, 2015, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Rising ocean levels and strained resources due to climate change are pushing people around the world to leave their homes in search of safety or economic opportunity. The situation is dire, the questions are difficult, and the need is vital for better international understanding.

While this issue focuses primarily on the dilemmas confronted by states, any and all coverage of migration must recognize the human element. People are packing up or dropping their lives to take often dangerous voyages in search of better lives or simply basic safety. Once people survive their journey, they are confronted by lengthy entry requirements. Finally, once one is accepted into a new home in a new state, he or she is confronted by challenges of cultural adaptation. Strong and compassionate government leadership can pave the way to improve the lives of these migrants.

In this issue of the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, the Forum section addresses migration through a number of pieces. We hope it begins to propose some answers to the current international dilemma. The section covers an impressive number of topics regarding migration, from the global refugee crisis to the asylum policy of Australia. The challenge is universal and the solution will have to be international.

The other sections of this issue deal with equally interesting and important topics. Nathan González Mendelejis writes on the coming US-Iran partnership that has been born of structural changes in the Middle East. Nina Wilén discusses the regional divisions exposed by crisis in Burundi. William H. Schmidt and Nathan A. Burroughs use various data to explore cross-national comparisons of education inequality and mathematics performance. We trust that each article contained in this issue contributes to furthering dialogue on contemporary challenges.

We would like to thank our sharp and devoted staffmembers for their efforts in helping create this issue. As always, we are grateful to the contributors whose research and writing allows the journal to publish high quality and interesting content. Finally, we could not have composed this issue without the help of key members of Georgetown University. Professor Susan Martin has been a tremendous guide on all things migration, having been a steady and essential voice of support in the creation of Issue 17.1. A special thank you goes out to our advisors Ally-son Goodwin and Dean Jennifer Long, who have provided us with guidance and support from the start.

It’s been our honor and pleasure to edit the past two issues of the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs.

Thank You,
Mike Fox    Angela Ribaudo