Ancient community under fire

The plight of Assyrian Christians in Iraq continues to worsen as insurgents have now attacked several churches. Nina Shea reminds us that the country's interim constitution provides for the establishment of a safe haven for this embattled community, which would naturally require American protection. Whether this will actually come about cannot be foreseen. However, one is reminded of Woodrow Wilson's ineffectual promise of an independent Armenia at the end of the Great War. Putting something on paper is no substitute for effective action.