Sargon Donabed Explains Assyrian History and the Middle East Today - Rolli Experts Explain Everything Podcast

Doctor Sargon Donabed is a Professor of History at Roger Williams University and the author of the books Reforging a Forgotten History: Iraq and the Assyrians in the Twentieth Century and Assyrians of Eastern Massachusetts.

In this episode of Rolli’s Experts Explain Everything podcast, Dr. Donabed explores how ancient civilizations like Assyria and Mesopotamia continue to shape the modern Middle East. He highlights overlooked historical turning points essential to understanding the region today, and examines the portrayal of Middle Eastern history in Western culture—particularly from the Bronze to Iron Age.

Dr. Donabed also dives into the experiences of ethnic minorities such as the Assyrians, Yazidis, and Kurds, unpacking how these stateless groups have preserved their identities despite ongoing persecution and displacement. From the aftermath of the Iraq War and the rise of ISIS to efforts at cultural preservation and political representation, he offers a sweeping and deeply informed perspective on what the future might hold for marginalized communities in the region.

Journalists, if you'd like to learn more or book Dr. Donabed, you can find him and more experts at Rolli.ai.