It’s estimated that 9 million Syrians have fled their homes since a civil war erupted in that country in 2011. The refugee crisis, likely the worst the world has seen since World War II, is putting an enormous strain on neighboring countries like Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq, which collectively have absorbed over 3 million displaced Syrians. Something like 150,000 refugees are also seeking asylum in the European Union, particularly in Germany, Sweden, and Denmark.
The Syrian refugee crisis has become a recurring issue in the presidential campaign as well. Most candidates believe America should accept its fair share of refugees. Clinton and Sanders both believe the United States should do its part, as do Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio, John Kasich, Rand Paul, and Jeb Bush. The three leading Republican candidates, however, have taken the opposite stand.