Since Europe’s so-called “refugee crisis” or “migrant crisis” in 2015, irregular migration has been a central topic in election after election in the European Union (EU). Mainstream political parties responded with more restrictive migration measures to calm fear and anxiety fueled by xenophobic, far-right rhetoric.
Amid political incoherence, a patchwork of policies across the continent, and fluctuating immigrant arrivals, populist parties argue that governments have lost control over their sovereignty and can no longer protect their populations.
To provide a better understanding of the complex situation Europe finds itself in, Tara Varma and Sophie Roehse explain the EU’s role in migration and asylum policy, why the issue became so controversial, and recent developments in the migration space.
Where estimates of the housing shortage come from. The notion that the United States is currently suffering from a “housing shortage” has been widely accepted by politicians, the public, and the press. David Wessel examines where widely cited estimates come from, various approaches used to calculate supply, and how zoning and other restrictions affect the housing market.
How the next president can address the challenge. The cost of housing in the country has risen steeply over the last four years—both rents and the cost of purchasing a home. Wendy Edelberg highlights the problem and discusses how the incoming administration may respond.
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