Commentaries

Ninve Ermagan is a German cultural journalist and author with an Syriac-Orthodox background who engages intensively with socially-marginalized groups and religious conflicts in her work. A central focus of her journalistic activity is rigorous reporting on Christian persecution in the Middle East and the situation of religious minorities, which she covers, among other outlets, in the Feuilleton section of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Beyond her writing, she produces reportages and documentaries for German television. In 2025, she was included in Medium magazine's "Top 30 under 30" list of talented young journalists.

CSI's Director for Advocacy Joel Veldkamp explores the paradoxes of life for Christians in Egypt, where religious persecution persists under a "secular" dictatorship.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is encouraging a split in the Armenian church in the name of "reform." In the 1920s, Armenia's communist rulers did something similar.

Bangladesh will hold elections in February for the first time since overthrowing the former government in August 2024. Despite hopes for political reform, a climate of impunity around rising violence against Christians and Hindus threatens the future of democratic pluralism in the country.

Around a dozen states in India impede converting to a new faith. Severe penalties prevent the religious freedom envisioned by the country’s constitution from being a reality, and the laws particularly limit autonomous decision-making for women and minorities, writes guest author Dr. Sam Paul. Legal scholars and human rights groups are challenging anti-conversion laws across the country. Now the Supreme Court has begun to flag concerns about the laws' constitutionality.

The arbitrary detention of former Sadad mayor Suleiman Khalil is not an isolated case but a damning symbol of Syria's descent into lawlessness, Joseph Lahdo writes in this special commentary.

Armenia holds at least 22 political prisoners who authorities fear could mobilize society against further capitulation to Azerbaijan, reports guest author Alison Tahmizian Meuse.

The conflicts of the world's current "grisly reality" have created an ideal climate for persecution, writes CSI's Director for Public Advocacy Joel Veldkamp. In this commentary, he offers a reflection on the deteriorating global situation, and how Christians can respond faithfully.

COMMENTARY: The July conflict between the Druze militias and the new Syrian regime’s forces erupted in the Druze Mountain region. Israel and al-Sharaa both hold a vested interest in maintaining their credibility, which exacerbates the conflict and can incite direct intervention from Israel's military.

COMMENTARY: Sami Alkayial, a Syrian analyst and novelist, argues that Europe is helping to legitimize President al-Sharaa's new dictatorship, and helping to incubate a new wave of jihadists in the process.

Tensions between the Armenian government and the national church have escalated sharply with the detention of a prominent church benefactor, in addition to two archbishops. Government attempts to interfere with the church’s internal functions appear to be politically motivated and run counter to Armenian and international law, writes guest author Siranush Sahakyan.

“Please help us return.” A refugee’s plea in Armenia moved Swiss MP Erich Vontobel to act. His motion is now the foundation of the Swiss Peace Initiative for Nagorno Karabakh — calling for dialogue, return, and justice.