Social groups dominate public discourse. The news, social media, scientific reports, and everyday conversations all refer to groups of every kind: women, conservatives, Muslims, immigrants, Nigerians, lawyers, and a virtually endless list of others. In their own contexts, each of these categories makes sense. We know, roughly, whom each term describes.
Syria, which is at the heart of a new Middle East, has become a battleground where different forces compete for gains and losses, for victory or defeat. After their seizure of power, the jihadist groups led by Ahmed al-Sharaa suffered major losses domestically because of the numerous crimes they committed in various regions of the country.
Rome -- Responding to growing international reports documenting rising attacks on Christians worldwide -- particularly in the Middle East and Africa -- Pope Leo XIV used the Angelus prayer during Sunday Mass on 16 November to draw attention to the harsh realities facing many Christian communities, speaking of the continued discrimination and persecution they endure.
Patriarch of the Chaldean Church Mar Louis Raphaël Sako issued a statement, on 13 November, calling on the Assyrians to unite their voice. This urgent patriarchal call comes against the backdrop of parliamentary elections held earlier this week.
During a recent visit to Iraq with an Assyrian-American delegation, we met with members of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), including the Minister of Investment, Dr. Mohammad Shukri. Our discussions focused on the Kurdistan Region's forward-looking investment laws and the immense potential for diaspora-led economic engagement.
The Assyrian language is one of the oldest living Semitic languages and forms the cornerstone of the identity of the Assyrian people. In Iraq, the government of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq (KRI) has shown notable commitment to preserving this linguistic and cultural heritage by incorporating Assyrian into school curricula within full Assyrian-language instruction at educational institutions.