On a personal note, it has been an honor to contribute to discussions and efforts that made Within Your Gates a reality. I'm looking forward to seeing it evolve and thrive in the coming years.

Sponsored by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and
in partnership with the University of Notre Dame, Within Your Gates will be spearheaded by Notre Dame’s academic center in Jerusalem.

There's something uncomfortable about the Israeli government recognizing the Armenian genocide while far-right groups try to seize land in Jerusalem's Armenian Quarter - a community with a recorded presence in the city since the 1300s. t.co/iAfJPbc5Rm

What's left is a recognition that's historically accurate but diplomatically hollow, and timed more to antagonize Ankara than to honor Armenian memory and suffering.

The shame of it is that recognition from a position of strong bilateral ties (1990s-2000s) would have carried more weight and the relationship then would have had enough cushion to ride out the inevitable turbulence.

That's how genocide recognition works in the international system. It less about morality and more about interests. Israel isn't being enlightened here. It's being opportunistic.

The historical record on the Armenian Genocide was never in serious scholarly dispute. What was in question is whether recognition was worth the diplomatic cost. Today Israel decided it was - not because the historical record changed, but because its relationship with Turkey did.

Spending a quarter of one's life working on something may sound absurd. Looking back, I know I am fundamentally a different person than when I began this journey. That has made it all worthwhile.

I am excited for what comes next.

❤️ Finally, I would like to thank my wife for being my rock - taking me to task when I strayed from my goal but also giving me the motivation and encouragement to keep moving forward and keep writing.

🙏 I want to thank my advisor Professor Joel Peters for his commitment to my academic journey, as well as the rest of my incredible committee (Ariel Ahram, Giselle Datz, Yannis Stivachtis and Alan Makovsky) for their thoughtful and generous feedback.

What a long strange trip: 12 years, 2 international relocations, 2 (new) children, 1 pandemic, countless jobs, multiple wars, and of course my own personal mountains to climb as a researcher and writer.

Reaching this moment means a great deal to me and to my family.