The subject of the article is the modern Assyrian national and social identity in the United States diaspora. The text consists of three parts. Part one presents basic definitions such as 'nation', 'nationalism' and 'identity'. It also discusses controversy over the name 'Assyrians' and other designations, i.e. Arameans, Chaldeans, Syrians, Syriacs, Suryoye. Futhermore, it shows the history of immigration of this non-Arab, Aramaic-speaking Middle Eastern minority to the USA. Part two presents the results of the online survey which was conducted in March and April 2008 among the group of 228 Assyrians living in the United States. Part three includes a critical analysis of the data presented in part two. The paper offers thesis that in the post-national era the social mobilitization of the Assyrian diaspora is based on the ongoing process of construction of national identity, in which the extensive use of the new media, especially the Internet, plays a crucial role. The Assyrian-American diaspora has a significant influence on the Assyrian centres in the Middle East; it catalyses the changes. Globalization constitutes both a chance and a threat to the Assyrian identity.
JavaScript is turned off in your web browser. Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.