As an unprecedented wave of asylum-seekers and refugees continues to enter Europe, the attacks in Paris on November 13 underscore the broader security concerns at the source of the migrant crisis-the safe haven provided to extremist groups such as ISIS by the Syrian civil war.

Thus far, Europe and the international community’s response has been far from united, with several governments rolling back decisions to admit migrants, others doubling down on border controls, and still others finding it increasingly difficult to resist political pressure to stem the flow of refugees. At the same time, all parties remain deeply suspicious of fully committing to a military campaign in Syria. Europe is at a critical juncture; each nation can struggle independently, or confront the crisis as a Union while upholding the values that made Europe a destination for displaced communities in the first place.

At this private lunch, please join Fran Burwell, Atlantic Council Vice President for the European Union and Special Initiatives, and Ambassador Frederic C. Hof, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, for an off-the-record briefing on this crisis, its Syrian origins and economic implications, and a discussion of how Europe-and the United States-can manage it. Lunch will be served at 12:30 and discussion will begin promptly at 12:45.

Kindly RSVP online, or contact Kayvan Chinichian at kchinichian@atlanticcouncil.org or at 202-778-4961 if you would like to participate remotely.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015
12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Bank of America Tower
One Bryant Park
New York, NY 10036