TOW #2 – Article: “In Migrant Crisis: German Generosity Comes Under Fire”

The Washington Post
"In Migrant Crisis, German Generosity Comes Under Fire"
September 7, 2015
By Anthony Faiola and Michael Birnbaum 

Anthony Faiola is currently the Post’s Berlin bureau chief and has written many reports for the paper since 1994.  In this article, he collaborates with Michael Birnbaum, who is the Post’s Moscow bureau chief and previously served as a Berlin correspondent.  Together, they published this article on September 7, reporting on Germany taking fire after pledging to take in 500,000 migrants annually.  Faiola and Birnbaum stated that European leaders blamed Germany for essentially motivating migrants to their deaths with “benefits so lucrative” (para. 3).  In response, Germany lowered the amount of cash handouts to asylum seekers and promised other forms of aid that would be beneficial to migrants in the long run. 

Although the article seems largely factual-based because of its short and simple syntax with the majority of the article consisting of quotations from politicians, Faiola and Birnbaum subtly make an argument about how in some cases, generosity can be harmful.  The authors are most likely writing to warn other European nations about the complexity of this migrant crisis and that in order to help keep asylum seekers safe, less should be offered to prevent them from making dangerous journeys across land and sea. 

Most European nations are being criticized for not doing more to help these migrants; however, Hungary’s leader, Viktor Orban is quoted saying, “Just between us, you know, the problem is not a European problem. The problem is a German problem” (para. 22).  By quoting credible speakers involved in this conflict, Faiola and Birnbaum establish their ethos and also argue that Germany’s monetary promises will lead to a lot more deaths from attempts to take dangerous travel routes.  Orban’s quote also carries an incriminating tone, showing conflict between nations, which is also unfavorable in a conflict that requires the help of all European nations together.  Faiola and Birnbaum quoted leaders whose words would support their argument, allowing them to successfully persuade other nations that promising financial aid is not the solution to the migrant crisis, and neither is putting the blame on others who should be commended for their efforts.