Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson, Ph.D., is President & CEO of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington, DC and scholar-at-large and past dean of the Robertson School of Government at Regent University. His expertise, informed by time at the US Department of State and in the military, is on just war thinking, the nexus of religion and national security, and Christian Realism. He is the author or editor of 22 books, including Just American Wars, Politics in a Religious World, and Ending Wars Well.

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Vladimir Putin visited the Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency (2016-06-07)
Why The World is Lukewarm on Ukraine

Moscow and Beijing’s argument of “Western encroachment” has an aura of authenticity in other capitals around the world, where there is a sense that the West’s business enterprises, Hollywood culture, and radical sexual ideologies are bludgeoning their cultures.

G.K. Chesterton and the Patriotism of Flag Day
G.K. Chesterton and the Patriotism of Flag Day

Christians ought to carefully think about Flag Day, both in terms of symbols and in terms of citizenship.

In Defense of Christian Realism
In Defense of Christian Realism

Eric Patterson and Robert Joustra discuss their recently released book, “Power Politics and Moral Order,” and defend the necessity of a Christian realist framework with which to pursue political ends.

G.K. Chesterton on the Necessity of Public Monuments and Memorials - Memorial Day
G.K. Chesterton on the Necessity of Public Monuments and Memorials

In this atmosphere of apathetic patriotism, G.K. Chesterton’s “Defense of Publicity,” an essay on public monuments, might draw focus back to the purpose of Memorial Day.

Just War and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine: A Talk at Patrick Henry College
Just War and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine: A Talk at Patrick Henry College

Eric Patterson spoke at Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia, about how just war thinking can provide analysis on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Populism in France’s Presidential Election - Marine Le Pen
Populism in France’s Presidential Election

What are we to make of France’s presidential election? More than anything, it points to the power of anti-systemic populism in French politics, whether on the Left or Right.

Conciliation after the Russia-Ukraine War | Just Post Bellum Series, Part 5
Conciliation after the Russia-Ukraine War | Jus Post Bellum Series, Part 5

If order is the attainable and justice the possible, then (re)conciliation is the desirable. Conciliation is future-focused in that it sees former enemies as partners in a shared future.

Justice for War Crimes | Jus Post Bellum Series, Part 4
Justice for War Crimes | Jus Post Bellum Series, Part 4

When we bandy about “war crimes,” “assassination,” and other terms, we ought to consider what we are talking about and, if appropriate, what the available mechanisms for justice are.

Christian Thinkers on War, Peace & Security

The Institute on Religion and Democracy and Providence dispatch scholars of political theology to speak at Christian colleges, universities and seminaries.

Punishment and Restitution after the Russia-Ukraine War | Jus Post Bellum Series, Part 3
Punishment and Restitution after the Russia-Ukraine War | Jus Post Bellum Series, Part 3

Jus post bellum justice provides us with two criteria: holding aggressors responsible (punishment) and providing some form of restoration to victims (restitution). The reality of our time suggests a very limited justice.

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Christianity & National Security 2023

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