In a statement following their emergency meeting Oct. 23 led by Cardinal Bechara Rai, Maronite patriarch, the Christian leaders said of the protesting Lebanese, “We express solidarity with their peaceful uprising.”
Middle East
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Lebanon’s Catholic patriarchs support protesters seeking economic reforms
Lebanon’s Catholic patriarchs — who have repeatedly raised their voices against political corruption, imploring the government to address the country’s dire economic situation — expressed their solidarity with the demonstrators.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Turkey’s incursion into northeast Syria raises serious moral questions on citizen protections
Turkey’s long-threatened incursion into northeast Syria after the sudden pullout of U.S. military forces from the country in early October raises serious moral questions on the responsibility to protect civilians caught in the middle of a new conflict.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Erbil’s Archbishop Warda urges protection of innocent civilians in northern Syria
Bashar Warda, C.Ss.R., the Chaldean Catholic Archbishop of Erbil in Iraqi-Kurdistan, urged all parties in the new conflict between Turkey and the Kurdish and allied militias of the Syrian Democratic Forces “to remember at all times their obligations to protect innocent civilians.”
Posted inEditorials, Politics & Society
The Editors: Trump has betrayed the Kurds—and hurt U.S. credibility abroad
Mr. Trump’s turnabout is bad for the Kurds, bad for the campaign against ISIS and bad for whatever still remains of the nation’s international credibility.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Turkish planes bomb Syria, causing panic among Christians, others
Turkish warplanes have begun attacking northeastern Syria, causing widespread panic among Christian and other religious communities caught up in the aerial bombardments.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Few solutions offered for ongoing harassment of displaced Christians in Iraq
The genocide conducted by the Islamic State against Christian communities in Iraq and Syria has turned into continued harassment by Iran-backed militias and shows no signs of abating soon.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Five years ago ISIS tried to wipe out the Yazidis. Have we forgotten them?
“There is no hope, no future here.”
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
The overlooked wisdom of Arab women journalists in the middle east
Zahra Hankir has compiled a collection of gripping and illuminating essays by Arab women reporters who have worked in the Middle East and North Africa. Hankir’s goal was to bring attention to “underreported tales and the women who tell them.”
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Lebanese losing faith as politicians fumble over economy
As the economic crisis deepens in Lebanon, so has the public’s distrust in the ability of the old political class, widely viewed as corrupt and steeped in personal rivalries, to tackle major reform.