At the Crossroads of Empire and Exile:
Armenian Genocide Survivors and Descendants in Iraq

February 17, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Verna and Peter Dauterive Hall (VPD), Room 203
Join us in person or on Zoom

A public lecture by Nadia Al-Ani (USC)
2025 Beth and Arthur Lev Student Research Fellow

Organized by the USC Dornsife Center for Advanced Genocide Research

Cosponsored by the USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies

In this talk, undergraduate student Nadia Al-Ani (double-majoring in International Relations and Philosophy, Politics, and Law) discusses the overlooked experiences of Armenian genocide survivors and their descendants who settled in Iraq, with a particular focus on the historically rich but understudied Mosul route. She highlights how Armenian-Iraqis preserved their identity through culture, religion, and community institutions despite ongoing violence — from the aftermath of genocide to the devastation brought by war, political instability, and extremist groups in modern Iraq. She argues for the importance of recognizing localized diaspora experiences and the role of oral history in shaping narratives of survival, memory, and resilience.

REGISTER HERE

Lunch will be served.

Nadia Al-Ani is a senior at the University of Southern California, pursuing a dual B.A. in International Relations and Philosophy, Politics, and Law. She is also a Progressive Degree Program student completing her Master’s in a related field of Global Security Studies. Nadia’s broader academic interests include international law, human security, and refugee rights. Read more about her here.

Lecture image: The Armenian Apostolic Cathedral of Sourp Krikor Loussavoritch in Baghdad (courtesy Mesopotamia Heritage)

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