The escalating violence in Syria has had profound and ongoing impacts on its citizens.

Four million people have been displaced as a result, with Syrians fleeing to neighbouring Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt and scattering across Europe.

As international affairs expert Dr Wesley Widmaier explains, it’s proven to be a major financial strain on those countries.

“They’re spending between one and two percent of GDP on dealing with the refugee crisis. That may not sound like a lot, but America spends three per cent of its GDP on defence. So it’s a pretty big commitment and it’s a pretty big shock to the system.”

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