Robin Harris, a former adviser to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, has written a very important piece for National Review Online highlighting the plight of Christians in Iraq.

Harris presents a compelling case for the United States, Great Britain and the West to do more to protect Iraq’s embattled Christian minority:

The situation can thus correctly and without exaggeration be described as desperate. The best long-term hope for the Christians is the success of America’s and the Iraqi government’s war against al-Qaeda. Stability is what all Iraqis need — and the Christians, as the weakest, need it more than most. But under current conditions, the Christian community will simply not survive to see the benefits. Immediate, focused action is required to offer effective protection and aid. Giving Christians their own police force and local autonomy as well as guaranteeing humanitarian relief — both for the internally displaced population and the refugees — must be the priorities.