The war in Iraq has displaced civilians, crippled its universities, and has made having an education a liability.  The war has also had further consequences for native and foreign scholars of religion:

The Society of Biblical Literature Endorses Resolution Calling for the Safeguarding of Archaeological Sites in Iraq:

www.sbl-site.org/Article.aspx?ArticleId=679

It may not be a safe place to dig for quite some time:

www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/viewpoints/story.html?id=48ba1d82-68df-41d3-91d3-8c618b32ccc7

www.iicph.org/docs/DU_Human_Rights_Tribunal.htm

Iraq is the home of several minority religions, faiths (including native Christians, Yazidis, Mandaeans) that often have little presence elsewhere in the world and usually do not have community support networks, elsewhere:

www.uscirf.gov/events/hearings/2007/July/Cromartie Remarks Iraq 7.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/06/opinion/06deutsch.html

http://www.religionnewsblog.com/19042/yazidi-3  (see "further reading" in this link)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12800852

www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6852573,00.html

Who are the Yazidis?  Background:

http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Religions/iranian/yazidis.htm

War often destroys manuscripts and artifacts, historic and religious sites, and culture and learning.  I wish those who instigate war would consider these losses to all humanity more gravely before they begin.  (In this case it may lead to the extinction of at least one religion, a feat no other contemporary war has accomplished.)

Update on Iraq's museums:
http://www.archaeologynews.org/story.asp?ID=384354&Title=Greece

-Kushana