Walter Russell Mead, James Clarke Chace Professor of Foreign Affairs and the Humanities at Bard College, lectured at Providence’s Christianity and National Security Conference on November 2, 2018.

Religious freedom and foreign affairs have always been inextricably linked.

Modern dramas like The Favourite darkly portray statecraft as merely cynical self-serving manipulation. But governments, nations, and public officials are not outside God’s grace. They are, despite the rebellious spirits of this world, ultimately instruments of His providence. Queen Anne and the Marlboroughs likely knew their role in this celestial drama.

Marc LiVecche is grateful to Amy Fallas for responding to his essay discussing the death of John Allen Chau. But he’s not entirely convinced she’s advanced the conversation all that much. Rather than challenge anything the essay said, LiVecche thinks she has confirmed it.

The US should grant asylum to Asia Bibi, a Catholic mother of five whose blasphemy trial and acquittal have embroiled Pakistan in violence. The aftermath of her deserved acquittal teaches an even larger lesson, for it demonstrates once again how restricting religious freedom can tear a nation apart.

I was left implicitly damned for suggesting the war in Yemen is complicated.

Christians often look at noble efforts such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as not going far enough. But it is an illustration of the character of a just God imprinted upon the hearts of unjust men and women. Its veneration is an opportunity.

In Providence’s latest newsletter, Mark Melton reflects on George H.W. Bush, his bipartisan friendship with Bill Clinton, and lessons for a highly partisan America today.

What should Christians think of globalism and nationalism?