Middle Eastern Minorities face Extinction

A HARIF discussion hosted by Jonathan Spyer

Daniel Clarke-Serret and Lyn Julius

Sep 06, 2026

There’s no such thing as “The Arab World”. It’s has always been, and remains to this day a colonised space, where the extermination, expulsion and ethnic cleansing of minorities is the assumed modus operandi. Indeed the destruction of its minorities has gathered pace in recent decades with Christians in Syria and Iraq facing extinction, the Kurds under existential threat in Afrin and Rojava, and the Druze relying on Israeli protection in South Western Syria.

The Armenians are forgotten. The Assyrians were never remembered. And the “Christian nation” of America has predictably abandoned their “brothers in Christ” to their fate.

Once a richly diverse ethnic and religious mosaic, the Middle East has been collapsed into a Muslim-only desert, actively supported in this cultural homogenisation by the morally-bankrupt Western powers. The Assyrians, to take an example, may be in their last Middle Eastern generation. Famously inhabitants in the region since Biblical days, they face the twin deliverers of ultimate destruction: Death in the Fertile Crescent. Intermarriage in American exile.

Indigenous survival under Islam is impossible. To avoid flight, there remains but one option, namely that pioneered by Zionism: having an army to defend oneself. Israel shows the way. May their minority brethren follow. For the lesson of the Middle East is clear: no outside power will come to save you. The responsibility is yours alone.

In an ideal free world, the West would call on Israel to annex the Druze areas of Syria, precisely that which their religious/political leaders themselves are demanding (ref. Mansur Ashkar). Unfortunately Sánchez and co are in hoc to Palestinianism, singing the praises of the one Middle Eastern people that is booming in numbers. Even Trump is in denial; in love with ISIS-man, Jolani of Syria, and his Turkish overlord, the excretable Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It is in this light that the minorities only have each other —and the support of diaspora organisations such as Lyn Julius’ Harif.

In today’s Harif discussion, we discuss the bleak future for Middle Eastern minorities and possible strategies for survival in the dystopian political space of Arab Islam. Middle East specialist Jonathan Spyer chairs a distinguished panel comprising Kurdish spokesman Veysi Dag, Assyrian Christian Juliana Taimoorazy, and Mansur Ashkar from the Druze community. The discussion is introduced by Harif supremo Lyn Julius.

I would say enjoy, but it’s depressing —above all the Western appeasement. - Daniel Clarke-Serret, Editor of Guerre and Shalom and Author of Pax Arabica.

ABOUT HARIF: Harif is a UK charity representing Jews from North Africa and the Middle East (UK no.1186454) that is dedicated to promoting their history, culture and heritage. In another 20 years, few Jews who were born in these countries will still be alive. A vital chapter of Jewish identity, history and culture – an entire civilisation – will be lost. HARIF is here to make sure it is not forgotten.

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