Religion, Democracy, and US Diplomacy

This project explores the intersection of religion with US efforts to promote democracy around the world, with a focus on the challenges and opportunities facing the Obama administration. Key issues include: the role of religious communities in US democracy programs and policies; and the relationship of religion to democratic stability around the world; and how best to support democratic evolution in Muslim-majority societies, a key challenge in the wake of Obama's May 2009 Cairo speech. Project activities include two major conferences -- in fall 2009 and fall 2010 -- as well as the development of online knowledge resources that map key actors and issues.