never far from the surface

[unpakwon]

The following in red is confusing. What is it saying in the context?

These 5 elements interact and mutually reinforcing. So while, for example, political/strategic factors in Europe may have been a trigger, these factors are never far from the surface, whether in NAFTA (fear of illegal migration) ...

Thank you.

 

[GoesStation]

The following in red is confusing. What is it saying in the context?

These 5 elements interact and mutually reinforcing. So while, for example, political/strategic factors in Europe may have been a trigger, these factors are never far from the surface, whether in NAFTA (fear of illegal migration) ...

The first sentence is missing something. Does the original have the word "are" after "and"?

Factors that are "never far from the surface" are always present, even if not overtly discussed. Imagine a lake with a dangerous crocodile just a few inches below the surface. You can't see the crocodile but it's always nearby.

 

[unpakwon]

Thank you for the help.

Yes. As you pointed out, I misquoted it.

"These 5 elements interact and are mutually reinforcing."

 

[Rover_KE]

Source and author?

 

[unpakwon]

I'm reading only a part of a paper or an article (it seems) someone sent to me. So I can't find out the title or the author.