X-ray emission from Symbiotic Stars: a stellar window to the Astrophysics of AGN

Symbiotic stars (SySts) are binary systems in which a white dwarf (WD) accretes material from a red giant star. X-ray studies of SySts reveal an apparent variety of processes which would suggest different origins. In this talk I will briefly review our current knowledge of the X-ray properties of SySts (their classification and physical parameters), in particular I will describe the iconic systems R Aqr and CH Cyg. Finally I will present our analysis of SySts using the same tools as those currently used for the X-ray-emitting AGNs. We propose a unified model for SySts similar to that proposed for AGN.