learning with professionals - Higgins Counterterrorism Research ...

tion. Most importantly, religious leaders are often more believable in failed or fragile
states than political leaders and therefore have power above and beyond the sheer
strength of numbers or observable resources.
Religious actors have expertise in many areas above and beyond that of the general
population. They generally have an in depth knowledge of people, places, and communities.
They know the sensitivities of the community. They know the personal history
of leaders and their families. They move easily in a community and have access to
areas off-limits to others. Quite literally, they know where the bodies are buried. In a
very real sense, religious personages and communities know more about food, water,
and health than others in the community. They are the individuals that people “go to”
when all else fails.
Religious leaders, as force multipliers, have significant social-cultural power and are
able to effect war and peace more than is commonly recognized. Both on the “U.S” side
and the “other” side, religious leaders must engage the topic of peace and use their inherent
power to move towards a more peaceful world.
CONCLUSION
Those responsible for U.S. National Security are increasingly convinced that religion
and war must be addressed in a new, comprehensive, and focused way. Not only did the
events of September 11, 2001, provided a tragic, if clarion call, but the wars in Afghanistan
and Iraq were telling instances of the consequences of “not knowing.”
The White House and Congress have shown enthusiasm for supporting faith-based
non-governmental organizations in aspects of homeland security and peacekeeping operations.
The Department of Defense now demonstrates a keen, if belated, interested in religious
factors relevant to the Middle East. The Departments of State, Justice, and
Homeland Security are engaged in learning about the “religious factor” as it applies to
their responsibilities. There have been dozens of conferences in Washington, D.C. that
provide a forum for dialogue between government sponsors and faith-based community
representatives. Meanwhile, there has been an explosion in the public media and scholarly
journals on topics concerned with religion and warfare. The traditional admonition that
polite discussion should not include “religion or politics,” has been turned up-side-down.
In 2004, almost all conversations concerning security include a discussion of religious
factors. (The implied caveat is that public attention can be a two-edged sword. It is important
to remain sober, thoughtful, and careful stewards of information and insight.)
Military experts and faith-based scholars know that contributing to peace in the world
is more than winning against an enemy or even supporting the cessation of hostilities.
Peace not “made” only after fighting stops. In all stages along the time dimensions of war,
religion plays a crucial role. It is an important element in the process of decision-making
that precedes hostilities, exerts influence on behavior during the most intense fighting, and
is a resource for setting parameters for peace negotiations and reconciliation.
283