January 1, 2012
According to a chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Christianity faces a legitimate threat of eradication in Iraq and Afghanistan because of severe and persistent persecution of Christians there, CNSNews.com reports. Despite long-term U.S. military operations to establish representative governments in those countries, Christian persecution has only escalated. "Unfortunately, that is sort of the pattern throughout the Middle Eastern region," said USCIRF chairman Leonard Leo. "The flight of Christians out of the region is unprecedented and it's increasing year by year. It's a very, very alarming situation."