World events in the last decade highlight the critical nature of identity-based conflicts and the importance of understanding the nexus between religion and conflict.  Equally important is the need to understand the potential of religious reconciliation as an effective counter to religious extremism.

Those in academia--- teachers, researchers, and students--- seeking to explore these themes are delving into one of the more important and least understood aspects of foreign policy and international politics.

Since its inception in 1999, the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy (ICRD) has been in the forefront of addressing identity-based conflicts that exceed the reach of traditional diplomacy by incorporating religion as part of the solution.  

Central to the Center’s approach is its ability to capitalize on the positive role that religious leaders and institutions can play in building trust and overcoming differences. 

The intellectual basis for ICRD’s work is captured in two seminal books edited by Dr. Douglas Johnston: Religion: The Missing Dimension of Statecraft (Oxford University Press, 1994) and Faith Based Diplomacy: Trumping Realpolitik (Oxford University Press, 2003).  We hope this website may be useful to you in your academic pursuits.  For further information, please contact the Center at postmaster@ICRD.org or by telephone at (202) 331-9404.

The below is a representative list of works by some of the leading figures in the fields of religion and conflict resolution.

Appleby, R Scott. Ambivalence of the Sacred. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.1999

AbuNimer, Mohammed.  Nonviolence And Peace Building In Islam: Theory And Practice.  University Press of Florida. 2003.

Gopin, Marc. Holy War, Holy Peace: How Religion Can Bring Peace to the Middle East.  Oxford University Press. 2002.

Gopin, Marc. Between Eden and Armageddon. Oxford University Press. 2000.

Johnston, Douglas. Faith-based Diplomacy: Trumping Realpolitik. Oxford University Press. 2003.  

Johnston, Douglas and Sampson, Synthia (Eds). Religion: The Missing Dimension of Statecraft. Oxford University Press. 1994  

Karabell, Zachary. Peace Be Upon You: Fourteen Centuries of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish Coexistence in the Middle East. Alfred A. Knopf. 2007.

Marty, Martin E. and R. Scott Appleby, (Eds). Fundamentalisms and Society: Reclaiming the Sciences, the Family, and Education. Chicago University Press. 1993.

Marty, Martin E. and R. Scott Appleby. (Eds.) Accounting for Fundamentalisms: The Dynamic Character of Movements. Chicago University Press. 2004.

Said, Abdul Aziz, Nathan C. Funk & Ayse S. Kadayifci (Eds.). Peace and Conflict Resolution in Islam: Precept and Practice. University Press of America. 2001.

Salem, Paul (ed.). Conflict Resolution in the Arab World: Selected Essays. American University Press. 1997. 

Smock, David (Ed.). Interfaith Dialogue and Peacebuilding. United States Institute of Peace Press (USIP Press). 2002.

Thompson, Henry. World Religions in War and Peace. Jefferson, NC: Mcfarland. 1988.

Queen, Christopher S. & Sallie B. King. Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Liberation Movements in Asia. State University of New York Press. 1996.