There is much written about the impact of Islamist forces on international politics. Comparatively little is known about how Islamist forces conceive of the international arena, understand their interests therein, and formulate policies to serve those interests. It is the aim of this paper to elucidate Islamist thinking on international aªairs by exploring the directives that are inherent to the Islamist ideological discourse, as well as the imperatives that confront Islamism in the political arena, by examining the case of the Jama'at-i Islami (Islamic Party) of Pakistan.

At first glance, Hizballah's position on the State Department's list of groups that sponsor terrorism would seem to be secure. This is not hard to understand, because since the early 1980s the Iranbacked Hizballah (Party of God) positioned itself as an opponent of U.S. policy in the Middle East and especially in Lebanon. Nevertheless, there are other aspects to the group, and this report examines Hizballah's other functions as a governing body.

The Islamic Renaissance Party (IRP), Hizb-i Nehzat-i Islami in Persian/Tajik, and Islam Uyghonish Partyasi in Uzbek, is a recent movement with few historical roots. Its members are young and enjoyed little access to the external world during the Soviet period. This report examine the foreign policy of this new group.

For policymakers, Islamism, Islamist states, and Islamist movements pose a set of awkward and unusual problems. By default as well as by design, the U.S. government, and especially its national security establishment, is at its best when dealing with crises -- preventing them (just barely), managing them, and resolving them. This report examines the various aspects of this problem and suggests how the government can effectively address this issue.

The"proximity talks" being conducted between Israelis and Palestinians probably won't lead to a final status agreement, say CFR experts Elliot Abrams and Steven A. Cook, but they could lead to the framework for a Palestinian state on the West Bank.

Paul Harrison, an expert in Buddhist studies, says recent unrest in Myanmar and Tibet showcases major challenges facing the religion.

CFR Adjunct Senior Fellow Vali R. Nasr discusses the axis of Shia influence in the Middle East.

Pope Francis gave this speech on foreign policy and religion to ambassadors to the Vatican on March 22, 2013.

President Obama gave these remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast on February 2, 2012.

Suzan Johnson Cook, Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, presided in this interview on the role of religion in foreign policy, with interviewees Cheryl Benton (Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Public Affairs) and Dr. Chris Seiple (President of the Institute for Global Engagement), in Washington, DC on January 23, 2012.