Although the U.S State Department subsequently implemented a special immigrant visa program for Iraqi and Afghan translators and interpreters, the creation of this class of refugees is a testament to the power of language politics, and an example of the fallout from American insufficiencies in this area.

CNN: Why it's good to speak Spanish in America

The political fallout will be felt in other ways too, because of the differential performance of euro-area economies.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne