The Assyrian people, most commonly known as Assyrians and other later names, such as: Chaldeans, Syrians, Syriacs (see names of Syriac Christians), are a distinct ethnic group whose origins lie in ancient Mesopotamia. They are Eastern Aramaic speaking Semites who trace their ancestry back to the Sumero-Akkadian civilisation that emerged in Mesopotamia circa 4000- 3500 BC, and in particular to the northern region of the Akkadian lands, which would become known as Assyria by the 24th Century BC. The Assyrian nation existed as an independent state, and often a powerful empire, from the 24th century BC until the end of the 7th century BC.

Today that ancient territory is part of several nations; Assyria remained a Geo-political entity after its fall, and was ruled as an occupied province under the rule of various empires from the late 7th century BC until the mid 7th century AD when it was dissolved, and the Assyrian people have gradually become a minority in their homelands since that time. They are indigenous to, and have traditionally lived all over what is now Iraq, north east Syria, north west Iran, and Southeastern Turkey. They are predominantly Christian.

Sargon Dadesho (Syriac: ܣܪܓܘܢ ܕܕܝܫܘܥ) (born September 18, 1948 in Habbaniya, Iraq) is an Assyrian nationalist leader. Dadesho is currently the head of various Assyrian organizations and political parties, and is married to Janet Shamon.

In the early 1970s Dadesho was a vocal evangelist for the Assyrian Universal Alliance. His pursuit of a more militant approach to finding solutions to Assyrian struggle in Iraq led him to leave AUA and with the help of a few former AUA members form the Bet-Nahrain Democratic Party in California.

He has skilfully utilized the media for his political aims as president of Bet-Nahrain Inc., a 501(c)(03) public charity non-profit organization that operates a 24/7Assyrian television station KSBV Channel 23, out of Ceres. He also runs a radio program, a television station and a magazine, along with AssyriaSat.

The source of revenue for the Bet-Nahrain, Inc which fuels Dadesho's political machine is said to be the members' donations, memberships, and the bingo games. According to the IRS report in 2003 Bet-Nahrain, Inc.'s revenues totalled a little over $325,000 and the total expenses totalled over $407,000. Yet the cost of running the Assyrian Satellite program and all other media outlets connected with Sargon Dadesho alone are well-over $50,000 a month.

Janan Sawa (born 1956 Dohuk, Iraq) (Syriac: ܔܢܐܢ ܒܒܐ ܣܒ݂ܐ) is a famous Assyrian musician.

A Catholic by faith, Janan started singing in 1972, at the age of 17. In 1975, Janan's father forced him to marry. He spent 4 years in the Iraqi army, from 1974 to 1978.

In 1980, Janan fled Iraq and settled in Greece for 2 years. He finally left for the United States in 1982, where he remains a resident. After arriving in the U.S., Janan worked as a taxicab driver for 2 years. It was during this period that he decided to grow his now famous moustache. In 1984, he was hired by a restaurant to sing on a nightly basis. In 1985, he recorded his first studio album, named "Nohadra", the Assyrian name for his hometown, Dohuk. His first single was Chokhe, which became very popular at Assyrian social events. Janan has admitted that Turkish music plays some role in his style of music.

He has been married once and is now divorced, but had two daughters with his ex-wife. Janan is known for his well groomed moustache. He currently resides in Michigan. To date, Sawa has released 23 albums. His brother, Esam Sawa, is also a singer.