Mixed Blessings: U. S. Government Engagement with Religion in Conflict-Prone Settings

In a world heavily influenced by religion, U.S. government intelligence, military, diplomatic, and development tools must be properly prepared to engage these religious elements. American interests will be better met through increased awareness and recognition of how religious leaders, organizations, institutions and communities can mobilize religion to sanction violence, draw on religion to resolve conflicts, or invoke religion to provide humanitarian and development aid.

This report of the CSIS Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project considers the dangers of overlooking religion's role in conflict-prone settings and describes how religion may be critical to U.S. diplomatic, development, and security policies. It surveys, and identifies critical gaps in, current U.S. government approaches to religion in foreign policy and conflict management, including a case study of Nigeria, and analyzes the main obstacles to more effective government engagement. The report concludes with recommendations and areas for further inquiry for the U.S. government to achieve a more balanced, nuanced, and effective approach to religion in conflict-prone settings.