The European Union was meant to dissolve borders and lead to regional integration but there seems to be a reversal underway in today’s Europe. Border controls, border barriers and even border walls are going up all over Europe. Where is this happening and why? This talk provides an overview of the different ways that Europe is “re-bordering” today after experimenting with transnational integration and open borders. It will discuss the different factors behind the rise of ethnic nationalism, anti-immigrant parties and the call to reestablish borders across Europe. It will highlight the role that the Syrian refugee crisis had in catalyzing this re-bordering and how this has transformed the political landscape in Europe today. The talk will draw upon research and experience living and teaching in Europe during the past year.

Dr. Steve Niva teaches Global and Middle East politics at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. He has a Ph.D. in international relations from Columbia University and his research interests include the new landscape of war and terrorism, the politics of Middle Eastern states, globalization and forced migration. He recently spent a semester teaching at Roskilde University in Copenhagen, Denmark where he undertook research about the response by European states to the Syrian refugee crisis.

This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Please RSVP at the event website.