In this podcast [52 min], Insightview has interviewed Steffen Jensen, who is a Middle East correspondent working for Denmark’s largest broadcaster, TV2. The editor asks Steffen Jensen about the potential risks from rising tensions in several parts of the Middle East. This applies to Syria, Iraq, the civil war in Yemen, the conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the latest political and economic tensions in Lebanon.
The interview also touches on issues such as the risk of a new refugee/immigrant crisis in Europe, Turkey's President Erdogan and Iran gaining ground in the region [Shia versus Sunni]. We also talk about the risk of a new "Islamic State", which is a fact and not a possibility, according to Steffen. Also, we talk about Egypt, which he describes as a ticking time bomb.
At present, Steffen does not see an acute risk of a wave of refugees from the Middle East, who are headed for Europe, though the risk is on the rise. When it comes to a potential "migrant wave" from the Middle East, the European Union has, so far, paid Turkey to keep the "problem" at bay. Insightview discusses with Steffen Jensen whether this strategy is now at risk. Interestingly, Steffen believes that Europe should worry more about an unavoidable wave of migrants coming from Africa, which will, sooner or later, challenge Europe's "moral principles". [See also Insightview's presentation, The most disruptive time since WWII, April 2019.]
Steffen Jensen has studied archaeology, Middle Eastern studies and is a journalist. Steffen Jensen helped launch Denmark’s TV2 back in 1988. Also, he is known for his balanced and in-depth reporting from a highly complicated region.
Questions in the podcast:
Does President Trump have legitimate arguments for withdrawing troops from the area? Are we, the European Union, hypocrites?
Does Erdogan have legitimate arguments for the invasion? Are the EU hypocrites who paid Ankara to keep the refugees away from our border?
Is it fair to suspect President Erdogan for trying to divert attention away from Turkey’s domestic economic problems?
What is Erdogan's primary goal with the invasion?
What is the motive behind Trump’s decision to propose a "cease-fire", which appears to be the ultimate defeat of the Kurds in Syria?
Do you believe President Erdogan will be successful in fulfilling his goals with the invasion or is it already the case?
What is the primary goal of YPG in Syria?
What will happen to the 10 000 captured foreign Islamic State warriors now as the Kurdish prison guards appear to be gone?
Is a new Islamic State in the pipeline?
How has the situation changed in Syria after Turkey’s invasion? Are we back to the situation before the civil war, which started in 2011, as Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad appears now to be back in charge of the country supported by Iran and Russia?
Do we have all the conditions needed for the next perfect storm in the Middle East?
Is the risk of a new migrant wave headed towards Europe again on the rise? If so, what will be the European response?
[See more podcasts here.]
