Ethan Rush

Ms. Kelly Slivka

English 250 Section NQ

April 27, 2017

Textual Analysis (Revision)

In the New York Times article Anna Sauerbrey helps to inform international readers of

the terror attacks taking place in Germany, as well as the German governments attempt to find a

moderate approach that will not target specific groups in the state, while also fighting terrorism.

Sauerbrey presented an issue in the increase of acts of terror across the nation, following an

influx of Syrian refugees fleeing from their war-torn state. Sauerbrey focuses on two terror

groups within the country, the Islamic State integrated within the numbers of Syrian refugees, as

well as the German far right committing acts of terror against the refugees, and in doing so

creating an even greater issue within Germanys borders.

Ever since the German government has let Syrian refugees into their state, they have

experienced a national rise in crime rates (Summers). Sauerbrey herself mentions that outside of

Colognes main train station, dozens of rapes committed by refugees have been reported. Aside

from mentioning the large rape crimes committed by Muslim immigrants, Sauerbrey does nicely

in mentioning how the last four attacks in the country were committed by people with a mix of

loyalties and political beliefs. Stating that The Wrzburg and Ansbach attackers claimed

allegiance to the Islamic State, while the Munich killer said he wanted to copy the Norwegian

right-wing extremist and mass murderer Anders Breivik. Sauerbrey mentions in her New York

Times article that the correlation between crimes with the increased number of refugees entering

the country, Germany is in a position where it could lose its identity as one of the most tolerant

states in the world. While in Germany there are issues with unreliable politicians and a state that
Ethan Rush

Ms. Kelly Slivka

English 250 Section NQ

April 27, 2017

seems to be divided between two extremes, Sauerbrey tries to show the German government in

light. She portrays them as being the good guys in the situation, and looking for a moderate

solution to end the violence. Although this seems like this is a way for Sauerbrey to show the

German government as a moderator, this may be her patriotism showing. Rather than talking

about the issues with Germanys politics, she writes about the extremists and terror

organizations.

Sauerbrey also mentions terror attacks committed by the German far right, and

specifically supporters of AfD. She specifically mentions the Munich attack, committed by Ali

David Sonboli. A teenager of Turkish decent who claimed he was inspired by Anders Breivik, a

far right Norwegian extremist (Alexander et al). What Sauerbrey fails to mention is Sonboli

claims to have committed the act due to bullying at school. Although this is an extreme act of

terror committed, Sauerbrey forgets to mention many important details of the cases presented.

There are also accounts of refugees being targeted directly by groups of people on the streets of

Germany for simply being of Islamic origin. From muggings in the streets to arson committed to

their property, crimes have been committed across Germany targeting refugees and their places

of residence (dw.com). Many of these attacks were committed by people with no affiliation to the

German far right, showing a genuine issue in German tolerance rather than an issue with specific

groups such as refugees or political extremists (dw.com). Sauerbrey preventing to mention once

again another important piece of information seems strange in an article trying to mediate the

issue in Germany.
Ethan Rush

Ms. Kelly Slivka

English 250 Section NQ

April 27, 2017

As Sauerbrey mentions, the turmoil facing Germany is splitting it in two, forcing leaders

to take a side on the refugee issue. This puts politicians in powerful positions like Angela Merkel

in tricky situations, where she is a supporter of open door policy and globalization in Germany

and throughout the Western World, but the increased rate of crime committed by both refugees

and xenophobes puts her in a very unstable position. As Sauerbrey mentions its like a coming

of age, a shedding of a childs illusion of being inviolable. Suggesting that Germany has had

great international relationships and open border policies that have worked abnormally well for

the nation. Until recently these policies have progressed the nation, but international terrorism is

finally taking a toll on the states stability. This puts leaders on the delicate border between

modern European conservativism and the reemergence of isolationism, nationalism, and

xenophobia presented by the AfD and supported by a greater number of citizens than in the past.

Sauerbrey gives good examples of extremism on both sides of the political argument in

Germany, while retaining a moderate and professional viewpoint on the issue. She presents facts

through numbers and quotations rather than through opinionated statements, and seems to state

information she believes to be relevant and powerful in providing people with information on a

heated political and ethical dilemma. Given the length of the article, Sauerbrey provided

substantial information on the subject, as well as providing relevant information on the political

climate of Germany and to an extent the Western World as we know it. However, with the length

of her article, Sauerbrey seemingly left out valuable information regarding the attacks

themselves, and in doing so focused on the Germanys dismay as a state, focusing on a logical
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Ms. Kelly Slivka

English 250 Section NQ

April 27, 2017

appeal rather than an ethical or pathetic appeal. This may be because of her denial and proud

German heritage, or is a biproduct of political beliefs or her editors.

Ethan Rush

Ms. Kelly Slivka

English 250 Section NQ

April 27, 2017

Works Cited:

Alexander, Harriet et al. Munich shooting: Teenage killer Ali Sonboli inspired by far-right

terrorist Anders Breivik and used Facebook offer for free McDonalds food to lure

victims. The Telegraph. The Telegraph July 24, 2016, 10:25 AM.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/23/munich-shooting-german-iranian-gunman-

targeted-children-outside/. Date Accessed February 28, 2017.

dw.com. Refugees targeted in violent attacks across Germany. DW. Deursche Welle,

November 01, 2015. http://www.dw.com/en/refugees-targeted-in-violent-attacks-across-

germany/a-18820330. Date Accessed February 28, 2017.

Sauerbrey, Anna. Germany, Caught Between Two Violent Extremes.

The New York Times. July 28, 2106. The New York Times Company. 2017.

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/28/opinion/germany-caught-between-two-violent-

extremes.html?_r=0. Accessed February 28, 2017.

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April 27, 2017

Summers, Chris. Angela Merkel dismisses rape and murder of EU officials daughter as

an isolated incident and insists Germanys migrant influx has not led to a surge in

violent crime. Dailmail.com. Published 05:43 EST, December 8th, 2016 updated 11:49

EST, December 8th, 2016. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4012890/Angela-

Merkel-dismisses-rape-murder-EU-official-s-daughter-isolated-incident-insists-Germany-

s-migrant-influx-not-led-surge-violent-crime.html. Date accessed February 28, 2107.