I'm Christa Tippett, today diplomacy and religion in the 21st century.

My guest Douglas Johnston has been developing strategic below the radar projects and contacts

in places like Iran, Sudan, and Pakistan.

He says the diplomacy of the future must engage religion as part of the solution, even and

especially where it seems a source of conflict.

You know, we're one of the most religious nations in the world today, and yet we so compartmentalize

it that unfortunately we've let our separation of church and state, which I would not suggest

that we change at all, but we've let that become a crutch for not doing our homework

on how religion informs the world views and political aspirations of others.

This is speaking of faith, stay with us.

I'm Christa Tippett.

My guest this hour is a military and diplomatic strategist, Douglas Johnston.

Instead of approaching religion as a problem in global crises, he is modeling a new kind

of diplomacy.

In places like Pakistan, Iran, and Sudan, he is successfully engaging religious leaders

and passions to combat the causes, not just the symptoms of violent religious extremism.

From American public media, this is speaking of faith.

Public radio's conversation about religion, meaning ethics, and ideas.

Today, diplomacy and religion in the 21st century.

This month, President Bush will make his first trip to Israel and the West Bank in hopes

of advancing peace in that region.

The International Center for Religion and Diplomacy founded in 1999 by my guest, Douglas

...