From a report of the Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project at CSIS:

Until recently, many leading scholars of religion and society theorized that modernization would bring a decline in religion. Instead, they have been surprised by “an age of explosive, pervasive religiosity.” Experts have noted an increase in the number of adherents to the world’s major religions, along with a rise in the religiosity of many of their followers. In many countries, political liberalization has coincided with an increased role for religion in political life.

Global religious dynamics increasingly influence U.S. involvement overseas. Faith-based groups in the United States have driven foreign policy in places such as Sudan and China, while religiously motivated transnational groups such as al Qaeda have threatened U.S. national security. International religious movements have also mobilized at unprecedented levels to do important development work overseas. For its part, the U.S. government has recently undertaken reconstruction efforts in societies where religion plays a critical role, notably in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In a world heavily influenced by religion, U.S. government intelligence, military, diplomatic, and development tools must be properly prepared to engage these religious elements. Although so-called religious conflicts are often driven by a number of other, underlying factors, religion is a strong source of identity that can be used to mobilize constituencies and called upon to justify extreme action.

Download the full report.