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To help illustrate the vital role military chaplains can play as
peace builders, let's begin by examining a fictional but plausible
scenario. The US intelligence community is surprised to learn that
a fundamentalist religious group calling itself the "Sword of
Allah" has seized control of both weapons of mass destruction (WMD)
and their delivery systems in the moderate Islamic Republic of
Korastan. The Korastani military is a probable source of aid from
sympathizers within its ranks. The longsuspected possession of
nuclear materials and delivery capability of Korastan has been
confirmed independently through both Department of State and
Department of Defense (DOD) contacts with Korastani government
officials.
As the United States conducts foreign policy and military
operations, it must assess and consider the impact of religion in
societies to achieve long-term stability in a region. So say
authors Chaplain (Col) William Sean Lee, ARNG; Lt Col Christopher
J. Burke, USAF; and Lt Col Zonna M. Crayne, ANG, in proposing that
the role of military chaplains be expanded to include what they
term "religious liaison," allowing for formal involvement of
indigenous religious leaders in stability operations. Rather than
avoiding religion in implementing foreign policy, they would allow
chaplains to directly interface with indigenous religious leaders
to develop dialogue, build relationships, promote goodwill, and
create formal inter-religious councils. Lee, Burke, and Crayne
recommend changes to doctrine, training, and assignments necessary
to facilitate this expanded role. They note commanders often use a
military lawyer and intelligence officer when making substantial
decisions; chaplains can be just as important to a commander
conducting stability operations. This policy implementation would
assist the US military in transforming the asymmetric, soft power
of indigenous religious influence into a significant source of
power for mission accomplishment and enable a greater chance for
achieving US foreign policy goals.
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