U.S. Role

U.S. Role & Religious Freedom
The U.S. Department of State released the seventh annual International Religious Freedom Report this week, it examines the status of religious freedom around the world. The 2005 report redesignates Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Vietnam as "Countries of Particular Concern" for severe violations of religious freedom. As Secretary Rice heads back to the Middle East later this week, she will have an opportunity to gauge for herself how well this report is being received in the region. The full text of the 2005 report and previous reports are available on the State Department Web site.

For Discussion: The U.S. values religious freedom and tolerance. Is promoting U.S. values abroad a proper role and goal of American foreign policy? Should the U.S. establish itself as the judge of other countries religious freedom?

posted by Joel @ 3:00 PM