RELATED PROJECT
Foreign Policy Practitioners Interview Series
Religion is an increasingly important dimension of US foreign policy. Since the passage of the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act, issues of religious liberty have been incorporated into the mechanics of American diplomacy -- with mixed results. Berkley Center Senior Fellow Thomas Farr, a...
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AT THE CENTER
Robert Seiple
Ambassador Robert A. Seiple was the first Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom at the Department of State from 1998-2000. Subsequently, until his retirement in 2008 he was the President of the Council on America’s First Freedom and founder of the Institute for Global Engagement. Seiple was also a decorated Marine aviator during the Vietnam War and has served as the president of Eastern College and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary and the president of World Vision. Seiple is the author of several books, including Ambassadors of Hope: How Christians can Respond to the World's Toughest Problems (2004) and, with Dennis R. Hoover, co-editor of Religion and Security: The New Nexus in International Relations (2004). He is a member of the Multi-Faith Board of Advisors of the Council on Faith & International Affairs, Vice President of the International Religious Liberty Association, and a board member at Denver Seminary.
INTERVIEWS
A Discussion with Robert A. Seiple, First US Ambassador for International Religious Freedom
October 29, 2009
Background: In 1999 Robert A. Seiple became the first US Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom (IRF). Responsible for establishing the new post within the Department of State, Seiple and the IRF initiative were not always eagerly received at home or abroad. Interviewed by the...