The Trump administration can make meaningful changes now. Over the past 20 years, an array of offices, institutions, and networks have emerged to protect and promote religious freedom for everyone, everywhere, all buttressed by an interlocking network of international standards. It’s been a remarkable historical development, one often overlooked and largely taken for granted. However, the movement now faces extraordinary challenges. Conflicts dominate global headlines, all wh

In June 2026, the Pew Research Center released its annual report on global restrictions on faith. The findings were staggering. According to their research, roughly three-fourths of the global population live in nations that limit the free practice of religion due to government restrictions, social hostilities, or both. It’s a mind-boggling statistic, and an increase since their last report. The stark reality is that billions of people from all faiths or none are susceptible

With summer winding down, I wanted to share some updates pertaining to religion and global affairs. Due to World Cup mania, you might have missed it in June, when the Pew Research Center released its annual report on global restrictions on faith. The findings were astonishing. According to their research, roughly three-fourths of the global population live in nations that limit the free practice of faith due to government restrictions, social hostilities, or both. It’s a mi

Pleased to join The World and Everything in It to discuss the release of Pastor Ezra Jin from prison in China and the importance of embedding religious freedom promotion into all facets of U.S. foreign policy.

As we celebrated our 250th anniversary this 4th of July weekend, I had the opportunity to speak about religious freedom to 6,000 members of the U.S. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. While we hold different faiths, we shared these freedoms and are united in our commitment to defend them for all. Remarks by Knox Thames 76th Jalsa Sana Annual Gathering – Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA July 4, 2026 What better way to celebrate the beauty and exceptionalism of America than getting to d

I was grateful to join the Denison Forum's Faith & Clarity podcast to talk about the mission of the Everett Center for Global Religious Freedom, the importance of Christian advocacy for anyone facing religious persecution, and our new graphic novel sharing the inspiring story of religious freedom champion Shahbaz Bhatti.

I appreciated the McCain Institute hosting Senator Chris Coons (R-DE) for the public launch of our report on religious persecution in China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. It was great to join the panel with my co-editor Alexis Mrachek and fellow authors Jewher Ilham, Olivia Enos, and Peter Mandaville. You can watch the discussion below and read the report here. Here's my quote from the McCain Institute press release after the event: “It’s not surprising that these four count

Appreciated the opportunity to contribute a chapter to “Modeling Religious Pluralism: Cultivating Religious Equity in Today's World.” Edited by Simran Jeet Singh and published by Oxford University Press, it features many excellent contributors. My chapter focused on how religious freedom can foster interfaith coexistence and respect for human rights. Download the chapter (provided by Google Books)

I am grateful to The Wall Street Journal for publishing my Letter to the Editor, in which I responded to a recent opinion piece that conflated religious coercion with individual freedom. Everyone has the right to peacefully hold any belief or non-belief, free from discrimination, violence, or coercion. I agree with the author that “people have a right to stay in their religion,” and I will defend their choice. However, urging that these individuals “not be bothered by those w

The vexing problem of forced marriages in Pakistan of Christian and Hindu girls often goes overlooked. Thanks to The World and Everything in It for highlighting the issue today. I spoke about the need for the Trump administration to redesignate Pakistan a "Country of Particular Concern," which could encourage needed reforms protecting religious minorities. Read the transcript here or listen here.

Today (Saturday) is the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby. For this celebratory occasion, I've penned my annual primer about the Derby. The race is considered the most exciting two minutes in all of sports, so I recommend you make time to watch. And I hope you’ll take a few additional minutes to read the rest of the newsletter. On the personal front, in April I was named the inaugural Executive Director of the Everett Center for Global Religious Freedom. In the context of

Saturday is the 152nd Kentucky Derby, the longest-running sporting event in the United States. For newcomers, here’s my annual Run for the Roses primer! Author photo August 2021 Since 1875, the first Saturday in May has been Derby Day. Growing up in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, I've watched the Derby all my life. It's the closest thing to a national holiday in Kentucky, with TV sets tuned to watch all 14 races at the historic Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville (pronounc

Very much enjoyed the panel discussion cosponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations and Georgetown University's Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs about "The Future of Strategic Religious Engagement in U.S. Foreign Policy." I spoke about how including international religious freedom promotion into an overall strategy of religious engagement can ensure U.S. foreign policy fully grasps the complexities and challenges across different societies.

Dallas Baptist University is announcing the expansion of the Everett Center for Global Religious Freedom with the appointment of the Center's first Executive Director, Knox Thames, and first Director of Research and Partnerships, Emily A. Cole. The mission of the Center is to inspire and equip students, churches, and policymakers to advance religious freedom globally for all. Thanks to major gifts, the Center will also open an office in Washington, DC, to strengthen engagemen

Appreciated joining "The World and Everything in It" to discuss religious freedom violations in Nigeria, Iran, and China, and why policymakers should care. Thanks to Lindsay Mast for the good conversation. My segment begins at the 16-minute mark. https://wng.org/podcasts/the-world-and-everything-in-it-march-12-2026-1773256791

Appreciated returning to The Bulletin podcast with Clarissa Moll and Mike Cosper . My 20-minute conversation with Clarissa covers the current Afghanistan–Pakistan conflict, the state of religious freedom in both countries, and the life of Pakistani advocate Shahbaz Bhatti as portrayed in our new graphic novel "Blood & Water." My segment begins at 17:20. https://www.christianitytoday.com/podcasts/the-bulletin/260-kristi-noem-fired-mullins-iran-supreme-leader-pakistan-tali

Since my last newsletter in December, the Trump administration has undertaken several momentous foreign policy decisions, such as the removal of Nicolás Maduro, the war in Iran, and the Christmas Day bombing of a terrorist camp in Nigeria. All of these have implications for religious freedom and religious minorities . How the United States chooses to engage moving forward will have lasting consequences for human rights, as well as yet-to-be-known reverberations in these regio

Matthew Peterson is Religion Unplugged’s podcast editor and audience development coordinator. He took part in this past summer’s European Journalism Institute held in Prague, an annual program co-sponsored by The Media Project . On Jan. 3, in the middle of the night, U.S. Special Forces broke into the home of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and arrested him and his wife.U.S. military presence in Venezuela had been creeping up for months, with United States leaders focus

The death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, creates uncertainty for all Iranians, but especially for non-Muslim minorities. Iran’s theocratic regime has long repressed religious minorities, persecuting groups deemed blasphemous, unorthodox or who questioned their religious rule. The ongoing war, combined with the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , creates a moment of great uncertainty for all Iranians, but especially for minorities, who a

Remarks at the Annual Interfaith Iftar Dinner Embassy of Bahrain - March 3, 2026 We are gathering during this time of prayer and reflection under circumstances we did not wish. Conflict in the Middle East is putting innocent lives in danger, threatening inter- and intra-faith relations across a region hosting a kaleidoscope of religions and sects. We should remember the innocent Iranians suffering under the repressive rule who strive for a peaceful future. We should remember